Happy Holidays

Hope all have had a great holiday season. We have spent the holidays with family and friends and it has been wonderful.
I've not been on the water enough but have plans to change that very soon. I always try to get out to Rocky Ford on or around New Years day. It's nice to get that first fish of the season early in the year. I can't help but think it's great way to start the year, no matter how cold it is. I know that the fish will be willing to eat my humble offerings.
Don't forget that the fish at the Ford don't really care for bright sun. It is probably warmer with some cloud cover any way. It always seems easier to go out when the sun is out but that is not your best chance of catching. Having said that the best time to go fishing is when you can. Check back soon and I'll have a report on my new year outing.

Darc

Winter is here and yes there are still fish to be caught

Well, It has been too long since I posted a report . I will try to do better from now on. In my defense , I have been on Christmas Island for three weeks and internet there is possible but far from easy, IF my mind would have been on my responsibilities at home.


We had great fishing for Bonefish, Trevaly, Trigger Fish and others . The fishing was just like last year and I am ready to reserve two weeks for next year. Its really hard to beat 86 degree air temps and 70 degree water temps in November. This is a incredible get away just before winter sets in. The water at Xmass Island is surreal in color and has endless flats that you just can’t imagine unless you go and see it for yourself. I tried to explain it to some of my guests before we went and told them I just can’t do it justice with words, you have to experience it for yourself. After getting there, and seeing it they all agreed. If you are interested in this trip give me a shout to see if I have room.

Closer to home the fishing is good to great. Rocky Ford has been very consistent with very little pressure for this time of year. If you brave the cold you could be in for quite a treat. The fish are taking heavily weighted scuds, small olive leeches, egg patterns in the right color, even some BWO’s on the cloudy days. Rufus Woods and Roosevelt are both putting out fish now and will get better as we roll thru the winter months. Try fishing streamers around the points, bays and sunken islands.

The Steelhead can still be found and caught in several places. The main stem of the Columbia is a good bet. Also keep your eyes on the Wenatchee and Methow. If they are ice free you can have very good fishing with a lot less pressure than earlier in the season.

Hope you all get out and enjoy this crisp sunny weather and catch a fish or two.

Too Many Choices

I love this time of year and sometimes wish September and October lasted all year. There are so many things to do and the weather is about as nice as I could ask for. When I ask myself where should I go fishing I have a hard time deciding. I have waters that are 10-25 minutes away like Rocky Ford or I wonder how Lenice or Nunnaly are fishing. I bet their rocking and boy are those fish going to be big. Or maybe a nice hike down into Dusty. The fish there are going to be very nice too. Any of the lakes in the local area could be having a water boatman migration and that is one of my favorites. Regardless of what is happening I know that the fish will be eating like crazy getting ready for their long winter. I wonder if the mayflies are hatching at lenore and if the fish are on them. What am I talking about I know the bugs are hatching but are there fish feeding on them. Lenore has been having a tough time and the numbers of fish seem to be down to me, but that means the fish that are there will be very big.How many places can you have a good chance at catching a Cutthroat that might go 28 inches or even 31 inches like my fishing partner caught this spring. Or maybe I should go and see if Dry Falls is as good as it has been the last couple falls. The water looked pretty low when I stopped last week but I bet I could get in with a little slogging. How about Steelhead, They are opening the season in the Ringold area early as in tomorrow because of the great numbers of fish returning this year.What is a fisher with limited time supposed to do flip a coin or draw straws? One thing I do know is I have a lot of dates booked on Back To The Wall(Formaly Isaaks) and we are going to have a awesome fall. We fished it last week end and it was pretty darn good. The fish are in great shape and it will just get better as the water cools. Well where ever you decide to go fishing, enjoy the great opportunities we have here in the Columbia Basin. Stop by on your way and see where we decided to go and what we found.

Water is cooling off and the fishing is heating up.

It's fall in the Columbia Basin again . This is a special time to be on the water because the water temps are cooling down and the fish are starting to feel the urgent need to put on the feed bag and get ready for the winter months. The next two months are my favorite time to be on the water because of more than just the great fishing. This weather is about all a fisher could ask for. It is cool in the mornings and very comfortable during the day. The trees are starting to turn color and wildlife is out and about.


Chopaka and Blue Lake up north are fishing well now. Local lakes will get better and better with the cool nights. Some to pay attention too are Dry Falls, Lenice. Nunnaly, and Beda. Rocky Ford is on the weedy side but fishing very well. This is the time that the hoppers and beetles work well and it is great fun to get them up on top. The Steelhead run heading to the upper Columbia is looking awesome and we should be in for some incredible fishing this this fall.