Destination

While some memories come and go, others stay with you for a lifetime. 

One of my earliest fishing memories is of fishing on the Yahara River in the heart of Madison, Wisconsin. The river in this location was a channel that went from the Lake Mendota Locks, through the heart of the city, and a mile later emptied into Lake Monona. It was urban fishing at its finest, and as 12-year-olds we would look forward to fishing it often.

The day would start the night before, with a flashlight in hand my brothers and I would go into the backyard after dark and hunt for nightcrawlers. They always came out at night, and if one was stealthy, it would be possible to reach down and, pulling from the hole, ease out a plump crawler that was sure to be breakfast for one of the many species in the river. But pull too hard, and you ended up with half a crawler, which we would not keep as somewhere in our childhood brains we knew that putting in a broken crawler into the bait box would cause the other crawlers to die. I have no idea where we got that urban myth, but in any case, it caused us to be careful pulling those crawlers up. 

The next morning we’d hop on our bikes and ride the three miles through Madison to reach our destination, and with any luck, our favorite spot was empty. This location had a small creek flowing from some ponds in the park into the Yahara River. The creek flowing into the larger river made for some good holding water. 

Our rig of choice was simplicity itself. A hook and a couple of split shots 18 inches up, with a nightcrawler threaded onto the hook, and cast out into the river, along a seam from the inflowing creek. Let the bait hit bottom, tighten up the line, and watch for those first telltale jerks on the rod. Pickup said rod and set the hook. The tried-and-true Zebco 202 reel would squeak and moan at the weight of the fish on the end of the line. Sometimes a bass, walleye, or bluegill, but most often we would reel in a brown bullhead. On rare occasions, the excitement of a snapping or spiny softshell turtle would break up the morning’s procession of fish. These were always a joy for a twelve-year-old boy to catch. 

Fast forward 50+ years, my son Matt and I were heading to his father-in-law’s ranch on a spring turkey hunt. Years ago, Bill mentioned that the Musselshell River, which flows through his land, held catfish. After doing a little research I learned that indeed, the river in this area was well known to hold nice cats. The Musselshell flows from the small town of Melstone another fifty miles or so and empties into the Missouri River at the point where the river widens to form Fort Peck Reservoir. This stretch of water is known as the “warm water zone”. Catfish work their way up the Musselshell for spring spawning and live in the many deep holes the river has as it twists and bends through beautiful prairie and wooded hillside. Bill told me that cats in the 10-15 pound range can be caught, but 4-6 pounders were more common. Stopping their upriver passage is the Davis Diversion Dam, downstream for the town of Roundup, which we would be fishing below. 

After a leisurely drive from Great Falls through ever-changing prairie land and wooded hillsides, I arrived at Bill’s ranch. Grabbing a quick dinner, I followed Bill as he drove along a gravel road to a prime spot on his land. Deer darted away from us, and turkey leisurely ate their dinners in the recently plowed fields. I had to resist the worry of someone being in “our spot”. The land is private property, so unless one of his neighbors were fishing there it would be devoid of other anglers. After living in Washington for thirty years I’m still getting used to the concept of being able to fish with no one around me!

We arrived at an irrigation dam that had a beautiful hole below it and a clean river falling over the top of the spillway. As Bill drove off, I pulled out my seven-foot medium-weight spinning rod/reel combo and, like the days of my youth, tied on a large bass wide-gap hook. Two feet above the hook and tied a barrel swivel, and above that a sliding 3/8 ounce weight. For dinner, I was offering the fish down there a large, juicy nightcrawler. 

My first cast landed two-thirds of the way across the river. I reeled in the slack line and found a broken branch to prop my rod up against. Within minutes the rod tipped started to twitch, and then took a wild bend that started to pull the rod towards the river. I grabbed my rod and felt a solid fish on the other end of the line. The fish made several strong runs in the current and then settled down to a battle of tug of war with me. Working him ever closer to the shoreline, I saw that my first Musselshell fish was indeed a beautiful catfish! I found a sandy area of shoreline and dragged the fish onto land. What a beauty! 

I re-baited my hook and cast it out to the middle of the river again. After a few minutes of waiting my rod again doubled over from the pull of a large fish. Setting the hook, this time I noted a different fight, and sure, enough, had a beautiful smallmouth bass on my line. Bringing in the fish I admired him, looking to be a solid 4 pounds. I released Mr. Smallmouth back to the river. With the sun beginning to set I decided to call it an evening and get back to the ranch before dark.

Arriving at Bill’s ranch my son Matt was there, having driven from Helena. “How’d you do”? they asked me. Pulling out the catfish from my cooler, Bill looked at it and said, “That’s a nice one, I’d say about ten pounds”. Matt’s eyes got wide and he asked, “When do we go?”

The next day’s sunrise was a classic Big Sky Painting, with red and yellow hues breaking over the trees. We had been shadowing a group of about thirty turkeys, trying to keep below a ridge that separated us from the turkeys between the field and the river. Finding an opportunity for an ambush location, we set up and started calling the mix of hens and gobblers toward us. Donn Morse of Old Goat Lures is also an avid turkey hunter and had given me a couple of the 3D pot calls that he makes and sells. The pots have great tone and soon several turkeys started our way. And then stopped. Dismayed, we watched the birds turn and head for the river, flying across to safety.  

Returning to the ranch Bill had prepared for us a breakfast fit for a, well, a rancher. We made plans for the day, deciding to visit some friends and hitting the river after dinner for an evening bite. 

I was excited to be fishing old school with Matt. Our lifetime fishing experiences had generally been from a boat, and I couldn’t recall bank fishing with him before. It gave me pause to think how sometimes possessions and technology can rob us of something so simple by making it complex. All the tools we use for fishing from a boat are certainly important, but there is just something about sitting on a bank and soaking a worm, waiting for a bobber to get pulled underwater, or seeing a rod tip twitch, knowing that on the other end, some kind of fishing is preparing to make your bait his meal.

After dinner we headed over to our fishing hole, passing groups of turkeys teasing us in the fields. They would have to wait for another day, we were Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, our fishing rods and a box of worms in hand, looking for the perfect piece of forked tree branch to serve as a rod holder. 

Matt baited up and cast out, and in a matter of minutes announced that he had a bite. Tightening down on the line, he set the hook and reeled in his first Musselshell catch, a nice smallmouth bass. 

And so, the evening went on. Matt and I were kept busy with a steady evening bite. The smallmouth were most active, and we caught around a dozen ranging from dinks to nice 2-3 pounders. Thrown in the mix were plenty of yellow eye, which is a Montana version of a giant herring, around 12” in length and very spunky to catch. Sadly, the catfish bite was dead. No worries, though, with the Missouri River as our backyard there will be plenty of new places to explore the next time we decide to go “Old School” fishing.

There’s an Alpine Kokanee Trifecta that is often over-looked compared to the more well-known and popular kokanee fisheries. What if I told you that within an hour and a quarter of traffic-free driving from Seattle you could enjoy pristine Alpine lake fishing with little to no other boats on the water and have the chance to catch generous limits of kokanee every time out? No way you say? It’s true and waiting for you. But a little planning and tempering of expectations is required. These fisheries won’t yield 18-20” Lake Roosevelt kokanee, but they do have an abundance of under-fished kokanee that will still give you a nice bounty to bring home. Have I got your attention yet?

The Alpine Kokanee Trifecta I speak of is familiar to many, but passed by with a reputation of having small kokanee. I’m here to tell you, that is a myth. While it’s true you won’t find those 20” koks, you will find fish that range from 10” up to 14”. The lakes I’m referring to?

Keechelus, Kachess, and Cle Elum. Yup, that first big reservoir as you crest Snoqualmie Pass going east is one of three Alpine Kokanee Lakes that I think you should make plans to visit. Let’s look at them one by one, going from west to east.

Keechelus Reservoir

This lake is the one that we all gaze at as we are driving somewhere else. It’s also the one that come August turns into a giant stump field. At 2,408 acres, it’s the smallest of the three lakes. At 2,521 feet of elevation it’s also the highest of the three lakes. The lake holds rainbow, cutthroat, whitefish, bull trout (which are endangered and are to be carefully released), burbot, and kokanee. Of the three lakes we will look at, this lake probably has the smallest kokanee in it. But check this out – the 2016 stocking numbers for this lake were a whopping 256,892 kokanee! In 2015 it was 265,000 and in 2014 it was 238,000 kokanee. So bottom line, that’s a lot of kokanee swimming around waiting to be caught!

Here’s the catch (there’s always a catch, right?). This reservoir gets drawn down as the summer progresses. Seriously drawn down, as in not able to launch a boat drawn down. So if you want to fish the Trifecta next year, you’d best plan on hitting this lake first. The primary boat launch is found on the west end of the lake. The earthen dam is on the far east end of the lake. Be aware, this lake, perhaps worst of the three, is prone to heavier wind and whitecaps. Be prepared to get back to the launch if the wind picks up. The lake is also the least serene of the three lakes as the constant hum of the freeway and view of semis roaring past are a sharp contrast to the beautiful surrounding mountains. This lake is a one pole only lake.

Kachess Reservoir

If you’re looking for a beautiful camping location with stunning scenery this is your lake. The Kachess Forest Service Campground is one of the nicer ones around. Plenty of camping spots and some larger pull through sites make it “boat friendly”. The restrooms are - surprise – running water and flush toilets! The boat launch is a two lane concrete ramp with nice grade and plenty of surrounding shoreline to pull your boat up on. Winds can be an issue as it’s not in a sheltered location. Parking is good.

Like Keechelus, Kachess holds a nice variety of fish. Rainbow, cutthroat, bull trout (protected), whitefish and burbot can all be found in addition to the kokanee. As to kokanee stocking, in 2014 WDFW stocked 365,000 fish, 2015 490,000, and for 2016 413,098. You’ll get into the kokanee as soon as you launch the boat. Motor out a hundred yards and watch as your depth finder shows the bottom dropping to 180 feet and deeper. And then you’ll see your fish finder light up with kokanee arches 35 to 80 feet deep. You’ll find fish all the way the length of the lake down to the dam end, over four miles away. But beware, if you head north the lake shallows up at a choke point north of the launch and you’ll find yourself in ten feet of water.

On our most recent trip, we found a great early morning bite that turned off at 8:30am. After an hour of fruitless trolling we ran all the way down to the dam and were rewarded with good action the rest of the morning. Don’t be afraid to leave non-biting fish in search of the biters! On this trip we also caught and safely released a powerful 16” bull trout. What a thrilling fight on kokanee gear. We hooked him at 55 feet deep on the downrigger. To help protect these beautiful fish bring a knotless net.

Kachess is 4,377 acres and an elevation of 2,258 feet.

Cle Elum Reservoir

The final gem of our trifecta is Cle Elum reservoir. Although the farthest of the three lakes, it’s still a day trip for the Seattle area angler. Cle Elum also has a Forest Service campsite and nice paved launch (an old road, actually). Not as nice as Kachess, but the scenery is again spectacular and there is no freeway sound to ruin the experience. Cle Elum also has the nearby town of Roslyn to grab provisions and a nice dinner at the end of your day of fishing.

Cle Elum is the largest of the three reservoirs at 4,566 acres. It’s the lowest lake, at 2,227 acres. As the summer water draw down lowers the lake, the ramp becomes high and dry. Boaters then will launch among the stumps at the southeast side of the lake by the dam. Watch your props and winds out of the north as this can be a risky proposition.

The lake holds the same species as our other two lakes with a notable and significant difference. First there is Mackinaw trout in the lake.

These fish are on WDFW and the Yakima Tribe’s radar screen to remove from the lake. Why, you may ask, when some dandy lakers up to 15 pounds and more have been caught? Well, in the (hopefully) not too distant future Cle Elum may join Baker and Wenatchee lakes as a destination sockeye fishery.

That’s right; the Yakima Tribe has been working since 2009 to restore a sockeye run to Lake Cle Elum. It works like this: the sockeye are captured at Priest Rapids dam and transferred to the lake. They then run up the Cle Elum River and spawn. When the fish hatch, they spend 1-2 years in the lake and then leave the lake via a flue around an earthen dam to the Yakima River. From the Yakima River, they will swim to the Columbia, and traveling on another 330 miles, around four Columbia River dams, to the Pacific Ocean.

Here’s more information from the Yakima Nation Fisheries website:

“One thousand adult sockeye were transplanted in the summer of 2009, 2,500 in 2010, 4,500 in 2011, 10,000 in 2012 and 4,000 in 2013. The sockeye successfully spawned in tributaries above the Lake in all years becoming the first sockeye to spawn in the Yakima Basin in over 100 years. Juveniles from the 2009 brood were observed migrating downstream at Roza and Prosser Dams in 2011. Preliminary data from trapping operations at Prosser indicated a 2011 smolt outmigration of approximately 80,000 sockeye. From July - Oct. 2013, 701 Sockeye migrated to the Yakima River Basin (numbers reported at October 17, 2013). So far, 211 sockeye have migrated back home to the Yakima River Basin (updated July 1, 2014).Once these fish move north to Roza Dam they will be transported into Lake Cle Elum or Cle Elum River. So far, we have trapped and hauled 4,500 sockeye from Priest Rapids to Lake Cle Elum. We will continue to monitor fish run numbers and trap and haul accordingly (updated July 1, 2014).”

So where are the kokanee you may ask? Well, WDFW has stopped stocking Lake Cle Elum since this recovery process started. But that doesn’t mean you can’t catch kokanee.

According to a fisheries biologist I spoke with on the subject, some of the kokanee you catch are actually sockeye that have decided to not migrate back to the ocean. Instead, they spend their adult lives in lake Cle Elum, and then spawn as well in the Cle Elum River. In order to protect the sockeye in Cle Elum, WDFW has placed a slot limit of 9” to 15”on kokanee in Cle Elum. The limits are different on Cle Elum as well. As of 2016, Keechelus and Kachess had ten kokanee limits, and not including trout. Cle Elum has a five fish limit, including trout. Cle Elum is also the only lake of the three to allow the two pole endorsement. Finally, there is NO limit on lakers, brown, and eastern brook trout. WDFW wants these non-native species out of the lake to benefit juvenile sockeye salmon and encourages anglers to help in that effort. As always, be sure to check current regs for any updates.

There you have it. Three Alpine Lake Kokanee gems, all day trips from the greater Seattle region offer the angler spectacular scenery and fisheries that produce abundant (if not huge) kokanee. With gas prices at historical lows now is the time to plan a trip to these great destinations and leave the masses behind.

I will offer a couple words of caution for boating anglers. First, the winds blowing down the mountainsides on these three lakes can kick up and blow whitecaps, especially in the afternoon. So keep an eye on the weather and be ready to head back in if things start blowing. Second, if you troll with downriggers, be aware that these reservoirs may have trees sticking up from the bottom that didn't get clear cut. So be ready to bring those downrigger balls up fast!

See you on the water catching some tasty kokanee on these Alpine Lake Gems!

A friend of mine suggested I do a story about the Alatheia Therapeutic Riding Center near Wenatchee and I’m so glad she did. I visited there this past week and met with the co-founder of this very special place, Nancy Grette.

Nancy and her husband Glenn started this non-profit organization at their home on Sleepy Hollow Heights in 2011. The two had purchased several horses they kept on their property but their children had grown and left home and they were pondering what to do. That’s when a five-year-old girl who was physically disabled came out for a ride for her fifth birthday on one of their horses. The ride was an amazing experience for the child and Nancy said she knew what she was meant to do for the rest of her life.

After that Nancy and Glenn started offering weekly rides to disabled children and adults as a means of emotional and physical therapy. The word Alatheia is a Greek word from the New Testament that means “disclosed truth.” It specifically comes from Ephesians 4:15 where the Apostle Paul exhorts all to speak the truth (alatheia) in love to one another. 

In Nancy’s words, “It is a way of living, and the riding center is how we choose to speak truth.”

The Alatheia Riding Center provides some 108 individuals the opportunity to spend an hour or more with and on their horses every week. This includes not only physically and mentally disabled children and adults but also combat veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The rides take place on their 12 Norwegian Fjord horses, a small, stout, and ancient breed known for their gentle temperament and sure-footedness. Nancy says these horses are very empathetic and reflect the feelings of individuals they come in contact with. She also explained the weekly rides offer therapeutic benefits for their riders in a physical, emotional, and mental way.

Nancy explains the reason it is a weekly program (as opposed to a one-time experience) is that you need continued exposure to the movements of the horse to get the benefit.

“Physically, when an individual is on a horse, for every minute, a hundred balance accommodations are going on in the body. You are developing balance, and coordination as well as large and small motor skills which is helpful for physical disabilities. Those with learning disabilities benefit from the socialization and peers and executive function of the brain while those who suffer from trauma are ministered to by the horse in a way you can’t explain. The horses are intuitive and in the moment and there is no judgement. People can be who they are with a horse.”

The rides happen in an indoor arena or on a trail overlooking the Wenatchee Valley. This non-profit organization has several employees who work right out of the Grette’s home along with a number of volunteers. One group of volunteers is the barn buddies. These are young adults with developmental disabilities who work at the ranch for two to three hours a couple of times a week. Nancy says they started this program because they learned that once children were out of special education classes in school and on their own as adults, they didn’t have much in place to develop further life skills. The Barn Buddies program allows these individuals, ranging from 21 to 40 years of age, the opportunity to learn how to work on a ranch or in a barn and socialize with other individuals.

The Alatheia Therapeutic Riding Center has plans to expand from its current location soon so that it can increase the number of individuals it serves.

If you want to support this non-profit organization with donations or time as a volunteer contact them through their website at www.alatheiaridingcenter.com or call Tel. 509-630-8710.

John Kruse – www.northwesternoutdoors.com and www.americaoutdoorsradio.com

During the mid-1800s, the Duwamish people, a coast Salish tribe that’s indigenous to the south Puget Sound, provided aid to the newly arrived European and Euro-American settlers by showing them how to utilize clam juice as a substitute for cow’s milk, a staple that the settlers no longer had substantial access to. The salty clam broth is rich in potassium, protein, and sodium, and served as a well-needed supplement to the often-malnourished settlers.

The Duwamish, along with many other Coast Salish tribes, had mastered the art of procuring nutrients from the Puget Sound through the harvesting of clams, mussels, oysters, and geoducks. Their mastery was so advanced that they even cultivated their own clams by creating clam gardens by stacking rocks in a line along the zero-tide zone. This practice greatly increased the number of clams that could be harvested in a given area and is often considered the oldest form of aquaculture known to Washington state. 

Shellfish harvesting has continued to be a mainstay in both industry and culture alike throughout the years of Washington State's development. It’s estimated that the shellfish industry rakes in over 200 million dollars per year, making Washington the United States foremost producer of shellfish. However, it’s not just the commercial outfits that get to soak in the glory of our bivalve oasis, which is the Salish Sea, there is also ample opportunity throughout the year for the recreational harvester, and for the 2024 year—monthly tide predictions show that March is the kickoff for noteworthy daytime low tides. On these upcoming lows, harvesters will have good access to oysters, cockles, manilla, butter, and horse clams. If you're looking to harvest geoducks, you’ll have to wait till April when the daytime low tides drop to -2 ft and lower. 

From the islands to the mainland shores, there are miles upon miles of beach where you can dig for clams and collect oysters in Washington. The main things to consider are whether the beach is open to the public and if shellfish are safe to eat in that area. Head to the WDFW website on the day of your dig to assure you that shellfish have been deemed safe for consumption in your given dig area and that the beach is open to the public for recreational shellfish harvesting.

Oysters

Oysters can be found on most rocky beaches of the Puget Sound and no two beaches are the same regarding how low the tide needs to be for oyster beds to be exposed. A good rule of thumb is to stick to +2 ft tides and lower for your best chance at reaching your daily limit. As a complementary insider tip, I will add that Oakland Bay in Shelton, Washington exposes oyster beds at tides much higher than this.

Oysters would likely be the easiest shellfish to harvest on the Puget Sound if it wasn’t for one important aspect of the process, and that is the shucking of the oyster itself. Legally oysters must be shucked on the beach and the shells should be left where they were found. This allows oyster larvae to use these shells during the colonization process. For more information on best shucking practices please refer to my 2022 April article where this process is explained in great detail. Oysters require little to no cleaning and can be eaten whole in a variety of preparations. Steaming, barbecuing, and deep frying are all popular choices. Minimum size 2 1/2 inches.

Manila

Manila clams are one of the most popular clams to harvest on the Puget Sound and their populations remain healthy throughout the region. They grow up to 2.5 inches long and can be found in sand, gravel, or mud during +2 ft tides or lower. A variety of common garden tools can be used to collect Manila clams. The most popular tools are a hand shovel, hand rake, or a hand pick. Raking along the surface, or simply scooping a few inches of the substrate with a shovel, should easily expose these bivalves at low tide.

After collecting your clams, you’ll want to store them in a cooler with a few ice packs to keep them chilled during transportation. Do not submerge them in water during transport. Once you are home, you can then submerge them in saltwater that you collected from the area where they were harvested. You’ll want to keep the saltwater cool with ice packs. This submerging process is intended to purge the clams of any sand or grit they have stored inside them. Discard any dead clams (clams that stay open and will not close no matter how much you poke at them, should be considered dead). Manilla clams can be eaten whole and are great for chowder, pasta, or soups. Minimum size is 1 1/2 inches.

Butter clams

Butter clams are significantly larger than manilas, often growling up to about 5 inches. At a +2 ft tide or lower, search along the beach for small holes in the sand or mud. Once a hole is located, you can dig with a spade shovel down to around 18 inches or until you reach the clam. Use the same technique as with Manila clams to purge. Though butter clams are delicious when served with melted butter, this is not where they get their name. Instead, butter clams get their name because of the natural buttery flavor of their flesh. They can be used for chowder, barbecued on the half shell, or even fried. Minimum size is 1 1/2 inches.  

Horse clams 

Ah, the mighty horse clam. Different from the oyster, manilla, or butter clam, the horse clam presents a set of challenges that place it in a category not far from the Pacific Coast razor clam. These clams grow quite large and can reach up to 5 lbs. They can be found in the sand or gravel and are easiest to harvest when located in sand substrate. Walk the beach and scan the surface for a siphon protruding out of the sand.

Horse clams’ siphons are rough to the touch. Once you find the siphon, you can either start digging with your shovel immediately, or you can take a stick and push it down into the siphon. The stick will stay in place and will keep you keyed in on the exact location of the clam. These guys will usually be around 1 ft to 1 1/2 ft deep. Shovel the sand around the clam until you can get your hand on the shell and then give it a good wiggle to free from its hole. If the clam is deep enough, you will need to place a 5-gallon bucket with the bottom cut out into the hole that you are digging. This will act as a retaining wall for the surrounding sand, and it will keep the hole from collapsing in on itself. After the clam is removed, you can place it in a cooler with some ice packs and transport it home.

The horse clam doesn’t require siphoning, instead, these clams need to be processed like a razor clam, and the stomach needs to be removed. The abductors, the foot (or digger), and the neck can all be eaten. Be sure to cut off the siphon (the tip of the neck). Horse clams fry up well with a nice coating of flour and or cornmeal. There is no minimum size for horse clams.

Cockles 

Cockles grow up to 5 inches but are more commonly found in the 2 inch - 2 1/2 inch range. Their shells have several ribs that run down each side, making them popular for those who like to repurpose shells for art and other decorative purposes. They can be found in 1-2 inches of sand or cobble at a +2 ft tide or lower and are harvested the same way as manila and butter clams. Cockles can be eaten whole and are often steamed or boiled. Be sure to purge these clams to free up any sand or grit. Minimum size 1 1/2 inches. 

As noted before, geoduck opportunities don’t pick up till April, so we will save that behemoth of a clam for a later article. For now, march is the preamble to spring clamming and it’s a great opportunity to get out with friends and family and take advantage of the numerous culinary wonders that grace the waters of our beloved Puget Sound.

LONG LAKE:

Located near Spokane, Long Lake kicks out good numbers of quality rainbow trout in November and December. The best fishing is found several miles up the lake from the main boat launch at the south end of this reservoir. Trolling Mack’s Lure Wedding Ring spinners is a good choice and orange is a great color. Dropping water levels in December often make the primary boat launch unusable so plan on fishing here sooner than later.

CURLEW LAKE:

Traditionally known as a summer destination for trout and the occasional tiger muskie, Curlew Lake is now known for its perch fishing. Perch are now the predominant species in this Ferry County lake and fishing for them in the winter, either through the ice or in open water, can reward you with quality fish averaging 9 to 11-inches in length.

LAKE ROOSEVELT:

This huge impoundment of the Columbia River offers excellent fishing for three species during the winter months. Walleye are often found biting near Kettle Falls and at the southern end of the Reservoir from Keller to Seven Bays you can find big rainbow trout and kokanee salmon that often weigh over two pounds. If you have never fished Lake Roosevelt in the winter before, consider booking a trip with a local guide and learn from a pro.

RUFUS WOODS RESERVOIR:

If you are looking for big trout, head to Rufus Woods Reservoir, an impoundment of the Columbia located between Grand Coulee Dam and Chief Joesph Dam. The best fishing is around the Nespelem net pens. You can fish from either the shore (An access fee is required) or from a boat. Jigs or dough baits both work well for trout that are measured in pounds, not inches. A Colville Tribal fishing permit is required to fish here. Looking for another option? Try fishing from shore just above Chief Joseph Dam. Anglers soaking bait from shore for trout can do quite well at times.

It's not just about trout at Rufus Woods Reservoir.  There is an under-rated walleye fishery too which offers very good opportunities.  The walleye here tend to be eater sized versus trophy sized and can be caught in the winter with blade baits or fishing nightcrawlers off the bottom. 

MID-COLUMBIA RIVER:

Another great place for walleye during the winter is the mid Columbia River from The Dalles to the Tri-Cities. Unlike Rufus Woods Reservoir, you have a legitimate shot at big walleye in this stretch of the Columbia which has given up state records in both Washington and Oregon (20.3 pounds and 19 pounds, 15 ounces respectively). Try looking for walleye at least 30 feet deep and be prepared to go far deeper. Blade baits, jigs and slowly trolled spinner-worm harnesses behind a bottom bouncer weight all work. Wondering what color to use? Start with Chartreuse.

POTHOLES RESERVOIR:

Quality rainbow trout and walleye fishing is the name of the game here during the winter. Trout, averaging one to three pounds, can be caught either trolling or from shore at Frenchman’s Wasteway next to Potholes State Park or at Medicare Beach at the east end of this 27,000-acre reservoir. When it comes to the trout, fishing nightcrawlers (drifted or off the bottom) can be effective. If you are trolling, try a Berkley Flicker Shad, both #5 and #7 sizes work well. You can catch the walleye in the winter months in 20 to 50 feet of water with blade baits or vertical jigging spoons like a Mack’s Sonic Baitfish.

ROSES LAKE:

Last but not least, Roses Lake near Manson is a good place to go for rainbow trout and this lake typically gets a good stocking of catchable size rainbows in the fall. You can catch these fish in open water out of a small boat or from shore at the public access area on the south side of this small lake. Roses Lake is also a good destination for ice fishing too. Just make sure you are not the first person on the ice this season if you decide to venture out there!

John Kruse – www.northwesternoutdoors.com and www.americaoutdoorsradio.com

By Mike Carey

“Conconully, that tiny town nestled in a mountain valley on the sunny side of Washington's North Cascades, bounded by two lakes, and embraced by state and national forests -- is waiting for you. It is a unique community in the heart of Okanogan County and the welcome mat is always out!”

Thus starts the Conconully Chamber of Commerce web site. JoAnn and I had been looking forward for months to our Memorial Weekend get-away to Liar’s Cove Resort in Conconully.

As we drove our final miles, climbing up the Conconully Road from Omak, the trees and green hillside became ever more beautiful. Then, appearing on our left, we saw Conconully Reservoir, glistering dark blue, the sun just beginning to settle behind the hills to the west.

Trout dimpled the surface, a promise of good fishing to come. We knew at that moment it was going to be a special weekend.

The genesis of our holiday weekend getaway actually began in Puyallup many months earlier. Wandering the Sportsman’s Show, we stopped at the Conconully Chamber of Commerce booth.

There we met a friendly, easy-going man by the name of Gene Bussell, owner of Liar’s Cove Resort. I introduced myself and reminded him that they were sponsors on our web site. “Are we now?” he replied. “Well, you’ll have to come out and pay us a visit”. Twist my arm and show me where to sign up!

Just like that we had our Memorial Day weekend booked (no small bit of luck, that, and in a nice lake view cabin no less) and months to wait in anticipation.
I’d been to Conconully once before, what seemed like a million years ago.

Memories faded by time, I do remember some pretty decent fishing.

But not at all what we were about to experience…

We pulled up to the resort, our brand new boat in tow. When we checked in we got to meet Linda, Gene’s spouse. She and Gene run a first rate family resort! Even with a twenty foot boat and the resort sold out, I had no difficulty parking.

With Gene ever present driving his little white golf cart, er, mini-truck on the grounds I felt no anxiety leaving my gear in the boat. Rig parked, we unloaded and took our dogs, Rudy and Diesel, for the first of many walks over the next three days.

The dogs were in dog heaven, sniffing a plethora of new smells, taking in new sights and sounds. Plus, the family atmosphere that is Liar’s Cove resort meant lots of kids and other dogs to meet and greet. Yup, we had two happy dogs this trip.

Morning came and I awoke at 5:15am to the sounds of birds greeting me. Anxious to get on the water and fish, I left JoAnn snoozing and backed my boat down the state park launch. The launch is unimproved, but has a nice angle and steady drop off making it easy to launch my boat. Liar’s Cove also has a boat launch, but for a bigger boat the state park launch is the better choice.

As I pulled around from the launch and motored over to the dock, two friendly early bird anglers, Mike and Jason, assisted me tying down my boat. I walked to our cabin and tried to get JoAnn up, but she was having none of 6ish in the morning fishing, so we agreed to meet at the dock at 7:30am.

When I returned to my boat, it occurred to me that fishing all alone in a twenty foot boat would be kind of lonely and a waste of a lot of good fishing space. Seeing an opportunity to share my good fortune, I invited Mike and Jason on board.

They were more than happy to join me, and very soon we were steadily hooking trout and kokanee on the glass smooth lake. I don’t know something about being in a small town, far away from the craziness that is the Puget Sound corridor just makes people friendlier.

At least, that was our experience this weekend. The fishing was steady and we lost as many as we caught. By the time we returned to the dock to get JoAnn and the dogs, my new friends had a half dozen trout and kokanee to add to their stringers.

JoAnn and I continued the fast action on our own. Dogs comfortably resting, we targeted the kokanee at the far end of the reservoir, by the dam. This end of the lake is the deep end, dropping down to 48 feet in a large oval bowl.



I ran the downriggers down to twenty five feet, which kept us below the prolific rainbows. The kokanee kept us busy over the next hour and a half. Small dodgers, pink or orange hoochies, and a piece of corn were all we needed.

The kokanee weren’t huge, running 10-12”, but they were plentiful. It was an easy limit of five each and we were heading back to the cleaning station with our fish, done for the day fishing, and ready to relax and explore the area.



Conconully isn’t big. Heck, there’s only a couple dinners/bars, a small museum, store, Post Office, and (yes!) place to get fresh espresso (Salmon Creek Bistro). But each place we visited felt like home. I’ve never met so many nice, friendly people in one spot before

It must be the water, or maybe it’s the air. I can say this for sure – this is one friendly little town! Of course, if you yearn for fast food the towns of Omak and Okanogan are just down the hill, fifteen miles or so, a whole lot closer than my daily commute to work.

But that’s just the reason you would want to come to Conconully – to get away from hustle and bustle, to stop. And breathe. And relax for a moment and leave the insanity of your city life far behind.

And you will, trust me; you will feel your brain waves mellow out and slow down. You’ll feel yourself begin to have an inner smile again as your worries drop away. And if you don’t? Well, then, buy a duck!

Huh? What? I said buy a duck, or three or four. And don’t miss this fun event. The Duck Race. That’s right, a duck race. But not the feather kind, no, these ducks are your vintage rubber duckies. But they aren’t in your bathtub.

They get released into the creek that runs from the upper lake into the reservoir. Each duck has a number. The top three ducks earn cash prizes for the winners. It’s a super fun event, with kids running along laughing and cheering on the ducks.

Like I said, the town of Conconully is all about good, family fun. Other events to check out include a real small town Fourth of July celebration, Cowboy Caviar in August, Grubstake Open Golf Tournament, Town-wide yard sales, and not to be missed, in January internationally covered, The Outhouse Races. Yes, outhouse races.

Let your imagination run wild, or just come on up and check it out. OK, the anglers out there want fishing info, and I’m going to share it. If you thought the lower lake (reservoir) was good, then I have to tell you, the upper lake is just as good! The next day I again set out on my own at 5:30am, this time to try the upper lake.

This lake is a long, narrow, deep lake. Although, I would call it a reservoir as well, since there is a long earthen dam at the city end of the lake. This, by the way, is an excellent spot for bank anglers to wet a line.

The state park also has a launch on this lake. It’s paved, two lanes, and has a long dock, which made putting my boat in a breeze.

As soon as I launched and turned on my fish finder I was struck by the amount of meter marks indicating soon to be “fish on”. Now, I won’t say exactly where I started fishing, but I will say, I don’t think it would have mattered much.

Because everywhere I motored I saw lots of fish on the fish finder. Gene told me earlier the state had planted several hundred thousand kokanee and trout in the two lakes, plus, the chamber of commerce plants larger fish as well.

And, for you warm water anglers, both lakes have healthy populations of smallmouth bass – with some real trophy fish to be had!

Back to the kokanee… as soon as I put my gear down, it was “fish on”. I mean, literally, apply brake on downrigger, tighten rod slack, and bamm! A kokanee. The upper lake kokanee acted like they had never seen kokanee gear.

They would slam my rigs and pop releases left and right. And these fish were a bigger class. We caught 12 to 15 inch kokanee.

By that, I mean to say; after I caught my five fish I returned to the cabin (that long, one mile drive, right?) and woke JoAnn up. By 8am she and the dogs were enjoying the same hot action I had just experienced on my own. I know, it’s tough, isn’t it? We had ten kokanee by 9am, all 12-15 inch shiny bright fish.

Word of advice, drop your gear down to 28-35 feet to avoid the rainbow trout. I have nothing against rainbows, but if I can get kokanee like we were catching then I’m on a mission! As to the gear, we used small dodgers and a small hoochie with a Colorado blade in front, and a 10” leader.

Add a piece of corn and every few minutes it was bouncing rods, barking dogs, and a whole lot of big grins.

There is one thing I would be remiss if I didn’t mention. Last year, this area had a lot of fires. Some of the Washington’s worst fires were in the areas around Conconully. We witnessed evidence of fire damage and were grateful that the town survived intact.

Gene and Linda want you to know the town is welcoming guests with open arms. Small towns like Conconully depend on our tourism dollars to survive. I hope I’ve gotten your interest and you’ll give this little corner of Washington a try. I think you’ll be very happy you did.



Liar's Cove Resort

By Mike Carey

My son Matt moved to Montana for college several years ago, and now lives in Great Falls with his wife. On our numerous trips to Montana my wife and I have driven past streams and rivers that just cried out “Fish Me”, but I have never had an opportunity.

Until this year, that is. Our schedules finally lined up, gas got cheap, and with a green light from my Better Half I threw my two person pontoon on top of the truck and we headed over to Great Falls. My target fishery was the Missouri River and its famed trout. To say I was excited was an understatement!

Let’s start with little background on the Missouri River. First off, the Missouri is the longest river in the United States and was the main route for expansion into the west. Besides fishing, what the Missouri river is most well-known for is the exploration by Lewis and Clark in 1804-6.

The expedition was commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson to find a water route across the newly purchased Louisiana territory to the Pacific Coast. Lewis and Clark were (besides a few trappers) the first white men to cross this land, map, and scientifically document the area.

Of course, the area had long been home to various Native American tribes, including the Missouri, the Osage, and the Sioux.

Once running wild and free, this river is now dammed in several locations, impacting the flow and original character of the river. The Holter Dam and Canyon Ferry Dam are two dams that regulate the flow of the Missouri from Wolf Creek all the way to Great Falls.

Because of the dams, river flows can be very predictable. In the spring, the river flows at around 5-7,000 cfs, around two miles per hour. The river running from Wolf Creek to Cascade is a drift boaters dream, with well-spaced put-ins and take-outs, developed and rough access points, and easy flowing water.

For the shore angler, there are numerous locations one can get out and fish prime stretches of water. For those new to the area, the fly shops at the towns of Craig and Cascade can offer all the advice and gear you could ask for, including rentals of drift boats and pontoons.

For our two days of fishing, Matt and I focused on a couple different drifts, which allowed us to see a good stretch of the river. On Saturday we drifted from Stickney Creek to Prewett Creek (11.5 miles), and on Sunday a mile north of Wolf Creek to Stickney Creek (7.6 miles).

The two drifts each had their pros and cons. Stickney Creek to Prewett offers by far the most scenic waters, with towering rocky cliffs and formations at every turn. Imagining this land as Lewis and Clark travelled through was truly inspirational for me. The sense of history was over-whelming.

The Wolf Creek to Stickney drift, on the other hand, is the entrance to the canyon area, and as such had more open fields lining the shoreline, slowly building to rock formations hinting at the canyons to come. It also offered more areas where the drift slowed down, and required a bit of work on the oars to move through.

The weather for our trip truly dictated our approach to fishing on our floats. I have normally found Montana weather to be inviting and pleasant in the spring, but on this trip we had cold, rain, and gusting winds that made for challenging fishing conditions.

My son has never fly fished and it became obvious early on that he would have a difficult time casting a fly line. As for myself, I was able to cast flies some of the time. I tried a variety of sinking nymphs, wooley buggers, scuds, and blood worms. It was tough rowing, casting into the wind, and helping Matt all at the same time.

We decided to put aside the fly rods and cast spinners. So much good water and runs to fish! Matt scored the first fish of our weekend, a beautiful brown trout with bright spots and feisty as can be. His excitement at catching his first Montana trout warmed us up despite the cold, rain, and hard blowing wind.

Mile after mile flowed by, as we cast our spinners, catching a fish here, and a fish there. These Missouri river trout may be targeted primarily by fly guys, but they act just like trout anywhere else – they can’t resist a shiny number 2 quarter ounce spinner going by their face. Heck, with so many guys fly fishing the hardware anglers may have an advantage.

By the way, the stretch of the river between Helena and Great Falls is estimated to hold around 4,000 trout per mile. Cold, clean water, rich in nutrients for the rainbow and brown trout, the river has a healthy population of fish to target. And many of these fish are over 16”, and range into the low 20s.

From the Montana Department of fish and wildlife:

“Fish surveys this year indicate rainbow and brown trout numbers remain above the long-term average in the Missouri River between Holter Dam and the town of Cascade, says a state fisheries biologist.

State fisheries crews this fall estimated 5,194 rainbow trout greater than 10 inches long per mile near the town of Craig on the Missouri. Not only is that above the long-term average of 3,174 rainbows per mile, but continues a trend of above average numbers over the past three years: 6,034 per mile in 2011 and 7,312 in 2012.

This year’s population was bigger in size and slightly lower in abundance than the past two years, says Fish, Wildlife and Parks fisheries biologist Grant Grisak, which is typical as the current population reaches its maximum size.

“This year,” Grisak says, “87 percent of the rainbow trout in the Craig section were 15 inches long or greater, and 35 percent of the population was 18 inches long or longer.”

With such numbers come large crowds of anglers, both local and out of state. On our weekend we had the river to ourselves, which I decided was a fair trade-off considering the conditions. I think being a winter steelheader in the Pacific Northwest gave me an edge, at least for tolerating miserable conditions!

We didn’t catch huge numbers of fish, but did catch some real quality, 16-18 inch rainbows and brown trout. But more importantly, my son and I enjoyed a true bonding experience in a uniquely beautiful part of Montana.

By Mike Carey

There has been speculation exactly why anglers are seeing such large and healthy kokanee in Lake Chelan. Site member Toni (Wannafishalure.com) recently contacted WDFW Fish Management and got these two responses:

From Larry Phillips, Fishery Manager

"My understanding of Kokanee (based on what I’ve read in the published literature) is that growth is closely related to density. More kokanee=smaller size. Because they are specialized feeders (almost exclusively daphnia which is a species of zooplankton), they can overgraze their forage base.

I suspect that in the case of Lake Chelan we had a couple of weak year classes prior to the year-class that supported last year’s fishery. The weak year classes may have been the result of high water or high predation which limited overgrazing.

This would have given the prey base a couple years to build and support much higher growth. Obviously this is a guess because I’m not the biologist for that area.

Recall that all kokanee are genetically identical to sockeye and most naturally occurring sockeye populations have an associated resident (kokanee) component. Also recall that several 20+ inch kokanee were caught in American last year……so Whatcom Lake (our state source for kokanee) also has high growth potential.

When prey abundance is high kokanee have the potential to get very large. Several other factor can affect growth but it typically comes down to the relationship between kokanee abundance, prey availability, and prey size. Other issues include predation, temperature, and turbidity."

From Travis Maitland, Fish Biologist

"Larry’s previous explanation to you of what has been going on with the Kokanee in Lake Chelan the last couple of years is “spot on”. I will only elaborate a bit more on a few points that I hope will help answer your questions.

Historical Lake Productivity: Lake Chelan is the textbook example of an oligotrophic body of water. Bodies of water like this tend to be relatively deep, nutrient poor, clear, light transmission is high and the euphotic zone is deep.

Even though light penetrates to a considerable depth, primary production of phytoplankton is limited by the lack of nutrients, all of which results in a biologically limited body of water.

Lake Chelan Kokanee history: Although details (Strain and numbers) of stocking history prior to 1933 are missing….we do know that Kokanee were first stocked into Lake Chelan in 1917. WDFW stocked only this initial naturally reproducing stock of kokanee back into the lake from the early 1940's until about 1957.

In 1957 Kootenay Lake stock kokanee were introduced as eyed eggs, and in 1966 Whatcom stock kokanee plus, Kootenay stock kokanee began to be stocked as eyed eggs and in later years as fry. Recently only lake Chelan stock (so, a conglomerate of Kootenay, Whatcom and what was originally stocked) are being stocked.

There are no records that I know of that point to the ocean going form (Sockeye) ever being stocked into the lake and no genetics work has been conducted to my knowledge.

Recent Year Classes

During the last couple of years, the Kokanee available in the fishery came off of relatively low adult spawning escapements….and by that I mean the parents of these fish were in relatively low abundance by the time they made it to spawn. As Larry also mentioned, this can also be caused or compounded by things such as predation or high water events that may have taken place on the spawning tributaries.

All of this comes back around to numbers. So, for what information we have at this point…I am comfortable in saying that the fish have grown to some larger sizes in recent years because they have been present in relatively lower densities with the same available food source, thus giving them the opportunity to grow larger. There is no evidence that suggest this is genetically driven.

I have been hearing a few good angler reports as well of good sized Kokanee already this year…..12”-16”.

I hope this has helped and please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions."

Best regards
Travis Maitland
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Dist. 7 Fish Biologist
Wenatchee District Office
3860 Hwy 97a
Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 665-3337
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No doubt, the quality of the kokanee in 2013 was phenomenal and hopefully 2014 will prove a repeat. As noted above, fish are beginning to be caught. For my wife and I, last year April was red-hot into early May.

Anglers continued to catch fish into the late spring/early summer, but early spring was best. By mid-April the weather generally is pretty good in Chelan, and the crowds are light. The fishery is well worth the drive from east or west side to centrally located Lake Chelan.

HUMPIES, LAWSUITS AND TROUT

 PINK SALMON NUMBERS ARE LOOKING GOOD

Odd numbered years are pink salmon years here in Washington State and 2023 is lining up to be a good one for anglers fishing for them in Puget Sound and its tributary streams. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is forecasting a return of nearly four million of these smaller salmon, nicknamed “humpies”, for the hump the males develop on their back after entering fresh water to spawn.

The pinks show up in the Strait of Juan De Fuca as early as June and can be caught by both boat and shore anglers in Puget Sound throughout the month of August. By September, most of the pink salmon are entering tributary streams like the Skagit, Snohomish, Skykomish, Green and Puyallup Rivers, providing additional opportunities for anglers who target them with Buzz Bomb lures, jigs with squid bodies and spoons, the key to all of them is that they must be pink in color if you want to catch pinks with them!

Humpies are a fun fish to cut your teeth on as a first-time salmon angler and it’s not uncommon to catch a good number of them in a day of fishing. While many anglers save them for the smoker, they do taste very good when fresh, especially when grilled over a BBQ or pellet smoker.

 LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST WDFW COMMISSIONER

On March 6^th the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, which is a pro-hunting and fishing organization, filed a lawsuit in Thurston County to prohibit WDFW Commissioner Lorna Smith from participating as a member of the Commission.

The basis for the lawsuit is that state law prohibits anyone from holding an additional elected or appointed office while serving on the commission. Smith currently serves on the Jefferson County Planning Commission which the Sportsman’s Alliance says is in direct violation of Washington Law.

Todd Adkins with the Sportsman’s Alliance says, "We view this lawsuit as the initial step of a long but important process to bring sanity and decency back to wildlife decision-making in Washington. It all starts here, but trust me, it won’t end here. The animal extremists are going to see a lot of the same in the coming weeks and months."

Lorna Smith is a controversial appointee to the Fish and Wildlife Commission. Since being appointed in 2021 by Governor Jay Inslee she was an instrumental voice in shutting down Washington’s long running spring bear hunt, despite the recommendation of WDFW staff members that it be allowed to take place.

When the Blue Mountain elk heard declined (primarily due to cougar predation), Smith suggested managing the herd as a smaller one instead of addressing the predation issues. She has also introduced the framework of a plan that would limit hunting as a management tool by the agency.

It is worth noting that Smith is not the only commissioner serving in another appointed or elected position. Commissioner Molly Linville (who generally sides with hunters in her decision making), serves on her local school board in Douglas County.

Eli Francovich, writing for the Spokesman Review, contacted both commissioners. Linville told Francovich that she was advised by legal counsel that serving on the school board was not a conflict of interest. Commissioner Smith told Francovich she was serving on the Jefferson County Planning Commission on a volunteer basis and in an advisory role when appointed to the Fish and Wildlife Commission. Smith continued stating she does not believe the statute does not preclude individuals serving in a volunteer position like she has been in Jefferson County.

 LAKE LENORE FISHING TRIP

Last but not least, I made it up to Lake Lenore this past week after WDFW fisheries biologist Mike Schmuck told me the fishing there was very good last year and he expected similar results this season. I picked a cold, cloudy day to visit the north end of the lake which is where many of the Lahontan cutthroat trout tend to mill around in the spring prior to spawning.

Unfortunately, the trout were not yet in this part of the lake in good numbers. Two anglers who were leaving as I arrived said they each only caught one fish that day. While fishing, I did see one angler catch one trout and while I did get one good strike, I was unable to hook up and didn’t have any more bites that afternoon.

Lake Lenore is a selective regulation fishery and is primarily a catch and release destination where the trout average two to three pounds and can get up to six pound in size. Fly anglers in pontoon boats favor fishing chironomids under strike indicators while spin anglers can do well fishing spoons with single, barbless hooks.

The fishing at this scenic, desert lake north of Soap Lake should get better towards the end of March and peak in April. I plan to return to try again and will let you know how I do.

John Kruse – www.northwesternoutdoors.com and www.americaoutdoorsradio.com

PHOTO CREDITS:

Pink salmon caught on the Snohomish River – Courtesy Brianna Bruce, Livin’ Life Adventures

By John Kruse

SOMETHING FISHY FOR DINNER

TJ’s Bar and Grill in Kettle Falls is in hot water after serving seafood they should not have been selling to their patrons.  According to Captain Brad Rhoden with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, during the summer of 2019 the owner of the restaurant, Terry Baxter, went on a recreational fishing trip near Bamfield, British Columbia. Baxter then brought the Chinook and coho salmon, as well as the halibut he caught, back home, and proceeded to serve these fish to customers at his restaurant.  

Captain Rhoden states, “By law, a business selling fish to a consumer, such as a restaurant, is required to state the species of the salmon and whether the fish was farmed or wild caught. The Legislature created these laws so consumers can be confident the fish they are about to eat is what it says.”  

As for selling recreationally caught fish in a restaurant, Captain Rhoden explained, “Washington law does not allow the edible portions of wild animals, game birds and game fish to be sold.  Food fish such as salmon and halibut can be commercially sold in Washington as long as the fish were lawfully harvested during on open season/area by commercially licensed fishers.  So, no recreationally caught fish can be sold, bartered or traded lawfully in Washington.”

The multi-year investigation by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife was prosecuted by the Washington State Attorney General’s Public Lands and Conservation Division last summer. On January 17th, Baxter’s business plead guilty to the crime of First-Degree Unlawful Fish Catch in Stevens County Superior Court.  He received no jail time but will have to pay a $10,000 fine.  

STATE PARKS HIRING PARK AIDES

Looking for a fulfilling, seasonal job working in a great outdoors location?  If so, apply for a job as a park aide with Washington State Parks.  They are hiring 305 seasonal workers to work from April through September at their parks throughout the state.

Duties include everything from registering campers to cleaning campgrounds and maintaining facilities and trails. Aides may also be helping out with interpretive and educational programs at parks around the state.  You may be assigned to one specific park, or rotate your daily duties amongst several parks in close proximity to one another.  

My son David worked as a park aide for two years in college, and really enjoyed his time during the summer months at Lincoln Rock and Daroga State Parks in North Central Washington.  However, this isn’t just a job for college students trying to make money during the summer.  It’s also a great opportunity for retired or semi-retired individuals who enjoy meeting people and spending time outdoors in the beautiful settings our state parks are set in.  

Park aides earn anywhere from $16.61 to $19.09, depending on qualifications and experience.  Senior Park Aides (with previous experience) earn more.  You can fill out an application at www.governmentjobs.com.  Simply type in “Park Aide” in the search bar, along with “Washington” for the location, and you’ll see what’s available.

FISHING REPORTS

COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE

Autumn Lawyer at Gorge Outfitters Supply in Rufus says they are doing pretty well catching walleye below John Day Dam.  Most of the walleye have been caught using spinner worm harnesses tipped with nightcrawlers. A bright orange and black combo-colored spinner worm harness is the hot ticket.  Several large walleye (up to ten pounds) have been caught in the last week.  

Autumn says sturgeon fishing was also pretty good last week.  Catch and keep sturgeon fishing remains open (for now) in both The Dalles and John Day pools. Be sure to check the WDFW and ODFW websites before going out, to make sure harvest quotas have not been met.

RUFUS WOODS RESERVOIR

Austin Moser with Austin’s Northwest Adventures has been catching triploid rainbow trout near the net pens at Rufus Woods Reservoir over the last several weeks.  Austin says they have been catching limits of these hefty rainbow trout, averaging 4 to 8 pounds and going all the way up to 15 pounds in size.  Moser’s clients have been jigging 3/8-ounce Maxi jigs made by Yakima Bait Company.  While many anglers use bright colors, Moser has found natural colors such as black, brown and olive work best.

Bank anglers are having success as well, though it can be hit and miss.  Most anglers fishing from shore are using Powerbait to catch their trout.  It is worth noting that there is a $20 access fee to use the park near the net pens and also a $10 launch fee.  Shore anglers also need to have a Colville Tribal fishing permit.  To book a trip go to www.austinsnorthwestadventures.com.  If you want to find out more about fishing or camping at Lake Rufus Woods Park, which is operated by the Colville Tribe, go to  www.colvilletribes.com/lake-rufus-woods.

John Kruse – www.northwesternoutdoors.com and www.americaoutdoorsradio.com