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I hope everyone had a safe and fun Memorial Weekend. I tend to lay low on the major holidays and try to fish during the week. There is a lot less “drama” at the boat launches and more room on the water. There are a few places that my wife and I have found that have very little traffic, even on the big weekends.
The kokanee bite is very early on Lake Chelan. I saw two guide boats at the Apple Cup restaurant when I was entering town to fish for kokanee a while ago. It was about 7:30 a.m. and they were already having breakfast! So, last Friday, I picked up Tom Verschuren in Dryden at 5 a.m. and headed for Chelan. When we passed Chelan Shores on the way to Mill Bay launch, I had a hunch we were too late. There were at least 20 boats trolling on the lake, scattered from in front of Chelan Shores all the way over to Lakeside Park.
When we drove the boat down to the fishing area from Mill Bay and got everything rigged and in the water, I passed a boat and asked how he was doing. He said the bite was good at 5 a.m. but died after the first hour, maybe less, then the bite just died. Oh well, we were there and were picking up a fish every once in a long while. I was trolling my proven orange Kokabow Inferno and Orange Crush blades and Eagle hoochie and Ravisher spinners, and in the back of my mind I could hear Alan Greenhalgh, owner of Kokabow Fishing Tackle, telling me, “let the kokanee tell you what they want.” So, I made a radical change. I switched to a pink hoochie and a High Octane Pink Ice Tail Feather with a pink Osprey hoochie on one rod and that was what they wanted. That rod lit up. Lesson learned. It always pays to experiment, and sometimes I wait too long, depending on my favorite set ups to produce for me.
The next time I am on Chelan I will be trying different colors and speeds if the fishing is slow. I should have something among my Kokabow gear that will appeal to the kokanee. Also, I don’t think I will use my downriggers. The fish are already in shallow water, less than 50 feet, so I can just use lead ball rigs.
My good friend and fishing buddy of mine, Dennis Beich, wanted to fish for walleye at Banks Lake on Thursday, but I talked him into going to Moses Lake. Unfortunately, I got some bad intel about where to fish. We ran up to the north end expecting to run side planers on bottom bouncers in the shallows up there. However, we found the surface cluttered with weeds and reeds and fishing was really not possible.
We worked our way out of there and did get some action in front of the trees on the south shore. We were burning through the crawlers but not hooking anything. We made a pass on the flat above Connelly Park and got our baits picked off but weren’t really marking many fish. Finally, we ran across from the park and down to the point and I managed to hook a nice walleye. Then the wind picked up. It was blowing hard enough that we couldn’t troll into it. There were some very nasty clouds moving in, so we headed for the launch. It was a very near thing, but we didn’t get skunked. Next time I will let Dennis pick the destination. I know I can have better days on Moses Lake. The fish have dispersed after spawning and it is just a matter of finding them. This week’s photo is of the walleye we landed.
I have been checking on the fishing for spring Chinook on the Icicle River here in Leavenworth. It opened to fishing last week, but the flows were extremely heavy and there really weren’t that many fish in the river. Success remains low. I talked to Joe Zelinski, a fish checker for the WDFW on Tuesday, and he said that maybe only one or two fish a day are being caught. The counts have improved though. As of last Sunday, over 5,000 adult spring Chinook had passed over Rock Island Dam, with over 800 a day now making their way over the dam. Anglers are optimistic about the season. Somewhere between 7,500 and 11,000 springers are expected to return to the Icicle this year. This is similar to last year’s numbers when there was very good fishing. The water remains high on the river and is not expected to drop with continued warm weather. The visibility is good, and the hope is that it doesn’t drop and clear too soon, making fishing a challenge. One angler I spoke with was planning a trip to Banks Lake for walleye. Chelan kokanee is another good option. There is always another great fishery to try until the Icicle picks up. Fishing on the Icicle offers one of the most scenic floats that you can find anywhere. Even if you don’t get a fish you will enjoy a terrific day.
There is another pike minnow derby coming up in June. This one is the 31st annual East Wenatchee Rotary Club’s event. It is supported by Chelan County PUD and there is over $10,000 in cash and prizes to be awarded at this derby. It is scheduled for June 17th and 18th. Anglers can weigh in their catches at both the Wenatchee River Front Boat launch in downtown Wenatchee and at the Orondo River Park launch in Orondo. Tickets and rules are available at Hooked on Toys in Wenatchee or Bob Feil Boats and Motors and Bi-Mart in East Wenatchee.
As you know, this time of year water flows on the Columbia River can change radically. If you are a recreational boater or an angler that is planning to spend a day on the Columbia near Rock Island Dam or Rocky Reach dam you will want to get the Currents App, available through Chelan County PUD. It will give you the flows at these two dams. It could make the difference between a fun day or a frustrating or really bad day on the water. It’s free and you can download it to your Smart phone. You will find it by going to www.chelanpud.org.
May 26, 2023
I had a very interesting week. I was busy in the early week shooting video of Grant County PUD Recreation Areas, and compiling photographs....MORE...
May 19, 2023
I had a very busy week again. I fished for trout, walleye, and bass. I spent some time at Pybus Market for an event and then finished the weekend at the weigh in and awards ceremony at the Pike Minnow Derby....MORE...
May 12, 2023
I had a great time this past week. Walleye fishing is going great guns on Moses Lake. I am looking forward to the Quincy Valley Pike Minnow Derby at Crecent Bar...MORE...
May 5, 2023
Sunny skies and calm water. That’s what I got to enjoy this past week. I got to fish several different.. MORE...
April 28, 2023
Anglers who fished their favorite lakes here in Eastern Washington were greeted by a chilly... MORE...
April 21, 2023
I had a great weekend last week. Starting on Saturday, I fished with my buddy James Lebow and his son, and we had an epic MORE...
April 14, 2023
As daytime temperatures climb more and more lakes have shed their cap of ice and anglers are taking advantage of MORE...
April 7, 2023
I only saw one day last week when I could plan a fishing trip and not risk getting blown off.MORE...
March 31, 2023
The snow has melted off enough to allow me to park my boat in the driveway..MORE...
March 24, 2023
It’s starting to really look like spring. Temperatures are often in the mid-fifties...MORE...
March 17, 2023
Winter just doesn’t want to release its ice grasp on our region. Although I see some ..MORE...
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March 10, 2023
I almost pulled the Smoker Craft home last week, so I could get it ready for the first trip..MORE...
March 3, 2023
I think that it is safe to say that people have had enough of winter. Remember when the Quincy Trout Derby..MORE...
February 24, 2023
We have had some warm weather throughout the region, but it looks like that’s going to change..MORE...
February 17, 2023
I don’t expect to see many people outdoors on Sunday, February 12th. On Super Bowl Sunday...MORE...
February 10, 2023
I was thinking about going to the middle net pens on Rufus Woods last week ..MORE...
February 3, 2023
There is snow in the forecast again where I live, but it shouldn’t be too much ...MORE...
January 27, 2023
It was a bit more chilly throughout the region this past week. That kept me from grabbing ...MORE...
January 20, 2023
The warmer weather we’ve had throughout the region has changed from frequent snow storms to rain....MORE...
January 11, 2023
Dang, I’m tired of this winter. It just keeps snowing in Leavenworth, and I mean SNOWING! It has been quite a job just....MORE...
January 6, 2023
We welcomed the New Year with a few days without new snow, which was very welcome. It seemed like about all I was doing....MORE...
December 30, 2022
It was a great Christmas at our home this year. I traveled to Seattle to bring....MORE...
December 23, 2022
I was looking at the forecast for the near future, and it wasn’t pretty. I am seeing single digits in some areas....MORE...
December 16, 2022
We are having quite a winter here in Central Washington. Lot of snow...MORE...
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December 9, 2022
If there is a blessing to the frequent snow storms that we have...MORE...
December 2, 2022
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Holiday and traveled safely...MORE...
November 25, 2022
Like so many boating anglers in the region, it is hard to have access...MORE...
November 18, 2022
Getting outdoors wasn’t very appealing last week. Temperatures were just too cold for even...MORE...
November 11, 2022
I spent a couple of days fishing for trout and walleye on Rufus Woods last week. I needed to get some fish for the smoker...MORE...
November 4, 2022
I had several things to attend to last week, which stalled my outdoor...MORE...
October 28, 2022
I had a spectacular three days of fishing last week. I got up to Omak...MORE...
October 21, 2022
I took full advantage of the terrific fall weather and got out on the water a couple of times last week...MORE...
October 14, 2022
I had a couple of days of great fishing last week, getting a few fillets of triploid rainbow trout...MORE...
October 7, 2022
Anglers are enjoying beautiful fall weather throughout the region. I had a great day on...MORE...
September 30, 2022
This was a great week to be outdoors. I spent Monday at Moses Lake...MORE...
September 16, 2022
I am very excited about my plans for this week. I will be heading over...MORE...
September 9, 2022
I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Labor Day Weekend. I know for many...MORE...
September 2, 2022
One of the busiest weekends of the year is coming up. Thousands of anglers will...MORE...
August 26, 2022
Hot weather has meant early starts to get on the water before the temperature ...MORE...
August 19, 2022
Stormy weather kept me off the water on Lake Wenatchee for several days last week ...MORE...
August 12, 2022
I had another great week of fishing for sockeye on Lake Wenatchee. There was a lull in the bite when a storm ...MORE...
August 5, 2022
I was able to fish Lake Wenatchee on the opening day of sockeye fishing ...MORE...
July 29, 2022
Sockeye salmon have a very large fan base here in Central Washington. ...MORE...
July 22, 2022
The big news on the fishing front here in Central Washington is the huge return of sockeye salmon that has been arriving in...MORE...
July 8, 2022
There is a lot to be excited about for the salmon season in our region this year. If you follow the dam counts...MORE...
July 1, 2022
We were all complaining about how cold it had been this spring, and all of a sudden we can start complaining...MORE...
June 24, 2022
I covered a lot of territory last week. I fished a couple of days on Lake Roosevelt at Kettle Falls...MORE...
June 17, 2022
Dang, I am tired of rain. I have rescheduled fishing trips, video sessions and other things because of it this spring...MORE...
June 10, 2022
I have been encouraged by some warm daytime temperatures—finally—this year, and it has me very excited about the walleye fishing...MORE...
June 3, 2022
I can’t believe it’s June. It has been such a cold spring this year that everything on...MORE...
May 27, 2022
Typically, I have made a few trips to Moses Lake, Potholes Reservoir and Banks Lake to fish for...MORE...
May 20, 2022
I had a week of low numbers with big fish, and a trip...MORE...
May 13, 2022
Along with the warmer days we get in the spring it can be windy throughout the region...MORE...
May 6, 2022
I had another terrific week of fishing here in North Central Washington ...MORE...
April 29, 2022
My wife Eileen and I visited several lakes to see how anglers were doing on the opening ...MORE...
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April 15, 2022
I had a wonderful week on and off the water. It started....MORE...
April 8, 2022
There has been a sharp increase in the number of boats out on the water here in Central Washington....MORE...
March 25, 2022
Spring weather has anglers chomping at the bit...MORE...
March 18, 2022
I had a great weekend. The annual Burke Lake Trout Derby took place on Saturday...MORE...
March 11, 2022
As many of you know, my wife Eileen and I have hosted several trips...MORE...
March 3, 2022
Despite the prospect of finding many of the lakes in the Columbia Basin MORE...
February 25, 2022
Winter is being reluctant to release it’s icy grip. We even got a good shot of new snow up here MORE...
February 25, 2022
I did some exploring last week. I spent a short time fishing from the shore at Keller on Lake Roosevelt MORE...
February 18, 2022
The sunny skies we have seen throughout the region inspired me MORE...
February 11, 2022
There are a very good number of anglers enjoying the colder weather we’ve had this winter MORE...
February 4, 2022
Cold temperatures have been great for fans of ice fishing MORE...
January 28, 2022
The ice fishing season is on! Anglers are out on frozen lakes throughout the region MORE...
January 21, 2022
I had a great time last week traveling to four different ice fishing lakes up north was really fun MORE...
January 14, 2022
Like so many others here in Central Washington, I have been pretty much home bound MORE...
January 7, 2022
The ice fishing season is on! Anglers are out on frozen lakes throughout the region. I have reports of good catches of perch, MORE...
December 31, 2021
I hope everyone had a great Christmas. As we approach New Year’s Day we have extremely cold temperatures forecasted throughout the region. MORE...
December 24, 2021
I made a few trips to the middle net pens last week. We had very good success, limiting on most days. My last trip was on Sunday and fishing was tough. I am glad we MORE...
December 17, 2021
I had a really fun week of winter fishing again. This time I was able to get up to the MORE...
December 10, 2021
I have been trying my luck fishing from shore for rainbow lately MORE...
December 3, 2021
I had a terrific Thanksgiving Weekend. My daughter visited MORE..
November 26, 2021
Winter arrived with a good dump of snow in Leavenworth last week MORE..
November 19, 2021
I didn’t have a lot of success when I got out fishing this past week MORE..
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November 12, 2021
Anglers are having very good success on the Icicle River for coho MORE..
November 5, 2021
I had so much fun fishing this week, it’s hard to believe it’s November. MORE..
October 29, 2021
I got out on the Icicle a couple of times this past week. It rained hard last Friday MORE..
October 22, 2021
I got out several times this week to sample some of our fall fishing opportunities MORE..
October 15, 2021
It was a great week of fishing and not catching for me. That’s the way it goes sometimes. MORE..
October 8, 2021
Anglers are having increased success fishing for salmon on the Hanford Reach for fall kings...MORE..
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October 1, 2021
I hope you were able to get out on the water this week...MORE..
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September 24, 2021
With the fall-like weather comes some really good news for fall fishing...MORE..
September 17, 2021
I had a very fun week. Got the chance to fish with my two brothers...MORE..
September 10, 2021
I hope everyone had a safe and fun Labor Day Weekend
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September 3, 2021
Can you believe it’s September already? Where did summer go?! Actually, I am not missing the...
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August 27, 2021
We are in a period of transition right now. Salmon fishing on the upper..
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August 20, 2021
I spent most of my week on Lake Wenatchee fishing for sockeye, and got...
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August 13, 2021
I have had a tremendously fun week of fishing. Lake Wenatchee MORE...
August 6, 2021
Salmon fishing continues to be the biggest draw for anglers here in the region... MORE...
July 30, 2021
I considered several options about where to fish this past week. I finally settled on ... MORE...
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July 23, 2021
I had a great time this past week, fishing for sturgeon out of Kettle Falls on Lake Roosevelt... MORE...
July 16, 2021
Although temperatures have cooled a bit throughout the region... MORE...
July 9, 2021
The extremely high temperatures we’ve experienced throughout the region didn’t... MORE...
July 2, 2021
Man, it is a scorcher out there! I would like to get out fishing more,MORE...
June 25, 2021
I got out on the water a few times this past week. MORE...
June 18, 2021
I had a great time this past week. I had one of the best days of MORE...
June 11, 2021
A family wedding brought my daughter Whitney to the east side of the mountains MORE...
June 4, 2021
I hope everyone had a safe and fun Memorial Weekend MORE...
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May 28, 2021
I had a terrific time on the water this past week. I was on Moses Lake two days MORE...
May 21, 2021
I ticked off a couple of commitments this week and had a lot of fun doing it. MORE...
May 14, 2021
I had a great time last week. I traveled to the town... MORE...
May 7, 2021
I got out on the water a lot last week MORE...
April 30, 2021
Last weekend was the annual opener of the lowland trout lake MORE...
April 23, 2021
The weather was almost summer-like last week MORE...
April 16, 2021
In just a few days one of the most unusual MORE...
Dave Graybill
"The Outdoor Insider"
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