Holy cow, it’s going to be December. I am very pleased to be this far into winter and I can still see the ground here in Leavenworth. No significant snow yet, so I am planning to get out in the boat for as long as I can. It’s cold, but when the sun is shining, it’s a great time to be outdoors and on the water somewhere.
Both Eric Granstrom and I have been reporting about the fun times we have had shore fishing at Brandts Landing and other locations on Rufus Woods Reservoir or Lake Roosevelt. I usually wait until some time in December to fish these places, but I just couldn’t wait. James Lebow was eager to fish Brandts Landing, so we gave it a try last Friday. In spite of what the Colville Tribe fish checker had been telling me—that only small fish were being landed at Brandts, we wanted to go anyway. The forecast was for a cold, but sunny day, and I got there early to claim my favorite spot. James showed up while I was making my first cast, and we soon had four rods baited with Power Bait soaking as far as we could cast from shore. James got a bite but didn’t hook up, and about an hour later he did land the only fish we got that day. Turns out, Dave the fish checker, was right. It was probably the smallest trout we had ever caught at Brandts. Still, it was a great way to spend some time outdoors. I will be fishing Brandts later this winter.

For anglers who haven’t been to Brandts Landing, it isn’t difficult to find. When you cross the Highway 17 Bridge at Bridgeport, right below Chief Joseph Dam, you take a left. Continue on this road for 8.2 miles and you will arrive at this Federal Park. There is a vault toilet here and picnic tables and fireboxes at most of the eight accesses to the river. Anglers should note that they will be casting onto a shallow flat. Even a very long cast will only put your bait into eight to ten feet of water. There are some weed lines along here and the bottom is made of round rock, that can snag your line. Most people will use large egg sinkers, a three-foot leader and a size 6 to 4 hook. Power Bait is the most popular attractant added to the hook. I like to use a marshmallow and shrimp, or marshmallow and nightcrawler combo, scented with Graybills Guide Formula, the Craw/Anise flavor. Anglers should also be aware of the rule that states that all fish taken with bait must be retained. Any fish released does count toward the two-fish daily limit on Rufus Woods.

I have so many things to be thankful for that it is impossible to mention them all. What a blessing to be born and raised in Eastern Washington, and to have a father that introduced me to the joy of fishing. I have a wife that has endured freezing temperatures when ice fishing and steelhead fishing, and the heat of the tropics when we traveled to Belize. She has spent countless hours editing and preparing videos that she recorded to be aired on the local television stations and continues to edit my writing, so it makes sense to my readers. Many people have told me that I have the best job in the world, and I don’t disagree. Sharing my experience with listeners to my radio broadcasts, readers of my columns and E-Letters, and through videos has been very rewarding. I want to thank the fishing partners and guides for their time to do the videos. I couldn’t do any of this without the support of the many sponsors and advertisers on my broadcasts and website. I want to especially thank Bob Feil Boats and Motors. They have provided me with Smoker Craft and Kingfisher boats that make my on the water experiences possible. This week’s photo is of my wife Eileen scraping snow and ice off the windshield of the boat so I can see where I am going after we launch on Lake Chelan in a past season.

One of the most popular fisheries in Eastern Washington is for triploid rainbow trout in Rufus Woods Reservoir. There are several public access points with picnic tables and fireboxes just above Chief Joseph Dam and at Brandts Landing. These get a lot of use by anglers, but the fishing effort by boaters and shore anglers is even greater at the upper end of the reservoir. The boat launch at Seatons Grove, which is just six miles downstream from Coulee Dam, is often crowded with trucks and trailers. Most of these boats are headed for the net pens. This is where the triploids are raised and the feed that filters out of the nets attracts good concentrations of these trout. Boaters will anchor near the pens and usually cast bait to catch fish. Many boaters are willing to pay the $80 Access fee and the $10 launch permit to launch at the middle pens. Shore space is limited here, but the fishing can be quite good. Shore anglers are required to pay the Access fee, which can be done by the day for $20. No Tribal license is required here. Most fish with bait on the bottom.

I like to troll downstream below the upper net pen. I use a bottom bouncer rig and spinner baited with a nightcrawler. Using this method, I am able to catch walleye and triploid rainbow trout. I try to keep the boat in about 50 feet of water and do have to move out and around the large snag about half way through the trolling path. I do hang up occasionally but find it a great way to “double down” on my opportunity to catch fish.

Rufus Woods and Lake Roosevelt aren’t the only good places to fish in the winter in our area. The kokanee fishing on Lake Chelan may be the best it has been in years this winter. I have already had a two-limit day, and plan to have many more. If you see me out there be sure to say hi!

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