If there is a blessing to the frequent snow storms that we have had in the Leavenworth area, it’s that both daytime and nighttime temperatures have been cold.  It makes the snow lighter, and easier to shovel!  Looking ahead it appears that we will have some relief from snow for a few days.  I hope to take advantage of that and get outdoors.

 

We are experiencing a lot more cold and snowy weather than we did at this time last year.  This can put a damper on fishing when travel can be difficult.  When the roads are passable there are some great places to go, and the very cold temperatures are good news for fans of ice fishing.  A friend called the other day to tell me that there are some really big rainbow and brown trout being caught at Waitts Lake near Spokane.  This lake is famous for producing big fish through the ice every winter.  I called Waitts Lake Resort (not open in the winter months) and was told that the lake wasn’t frozen over yet but should be very soon with the continued chilly weather in the forecast.  There are three resorts on Waitts Lake, but none are open in the winter.  Most of the activity at Waitts in the winter takes place near the public access at the north end of the lake.  Jump Off Joe Lake, which is just north of Waitts Lake does offer ice fishing right now.  This shallow 114-acre lake offers very good fishing for a variety of species through the winter, including brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout and yellow perch.

  

Although Fish Lake, near Lake Wenatchee, isn’t frozen over yet, there are lakes up north that should have a safe layer of ice on them very soon.  I will keep you posted as I learn of lakes with safe ice.  I spent a couple of days visiting some of the more popular lakes for ice fishing in the winter last year and did a video about them.  These included Curlew, Bonaparte, Palmer and Patterson.  This week’s photo was taken at Patterson Lake last year.  

 

So, on my travels to the lakes up north I made my first stop at Curlew Lake. I had heard many reports of 12-inch perch coming from Curlew Lake, but I wanted to see for myself. Sure enough, the reports were true.  Small rainbow were being caught at Bonaparte, and good numbers of tiger trout, I didn’t see any kokanee landed.  Patterson Lake was producing perch, trout and kokanee through the ice.  Palmer is known for good catches of perch and trout, but the ice was not safe the day I stopped by.  You can watch this video by going to the Dave Graybill channel on YouTube.  Another video that folks like is the one I did on Bank Fishing on Rufus Woods Reservoir.  It can also be found on my channel on YouTube. Ice fishing throughout the region is just around the corner. 

 

There is a lot of snow in the forecast for the whole region for the next week, so I will be staying close to home.  I did get my boat moved in time.  I barely beat the big storm that would have made moving it very difficult.  As we settle into winter I was checking out some of the items that I use during the cold weather.  One that has saved the day more than once is my Fishing Buddy propane heater.  This was sent over to me by Eric Granstrom’s Dad.  He heard about a cold and snowy trip to Lake Roosevelt with Shane Magnuson.  Shane wanted to warm up near the propane heater and went inside the boat cover, saying he would steer the boat with the remote from there.  Eric and I were busy catching rainbow and after a while Shane stuck his head out and said he was feeling lousy and had a bad headache.  He still hadn’t recovered by dinner time but bounced back for breakfast.  What we finally figured out was that he had been poisoned breathing the tainted air.  A short time later the Fishing Buddy arrived on my door step, so we wouldn’t let this happen again.

 

After spending so much time dealing with the heavy snowfall here in Leavenworth, I wanted to look ahead to when I can get outdoors and do some fishing.  I have a great plan for next Friday.  Austin Moser has invited me to come along on his first trip to Lake Roosevelt for the winter.  This is something that we have done in past years.  It is when we get a first look at what the coming season for kokanee may be.  Good winter kokanee fishing can start this early, and if there are kokanee out there Austin knows where to find them.  Even if the kokanee aren’t around in good numbers the rainbow fishing can be excellent.  I am not sure right now if we are going to start at Spring Canyon or Keller.  The early kokanee fishing can typically be further up the reservoir.  As the water drops and the feed is drawn down, the fish can be found at Swawilla or even down below Spring Canyon.  Whatever we learn or catch, it will be great to get out on the water with him and his friends.

 

In spite of the chilly weather, I am looking forward to trying my luck from the shore at a couple of my favorite shore fishing spots.  Don’t be surprised if you find me sharing the beach with you at Spring Canyon or Keller on Lake Roosevelt.  I will also be making some trips to Rufus Woods.  I like fishing from the shore at both Brandts Landing and at the middle net pens.

 

Bundle up and get out there.  There is some great fishing to be had!