Fishing

From the Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, we learn a Davenport angler who attends Gonzaga University reeled in an unexpected catch while fishing for walleye at Lake Roosevelt on February 11th.  Gavin Boggs was fishing with a college friend near the Lincoln boat launch that afternoon when he hooked into something very big.

Boggs said, “I was targeting walleye at a depth of around 75 feet using a four-inch swim bait and it was a pretty tough day on the water.  We did mark a lot of fish on the fish-finder but had only caught one walleye before this big fish took my lure.”

Boggs, whose family has a place at Seven Bays toward the southern end of Lake Roosevelt, continued his story, saying, “As soon as I hooked it, I thought it was a big walleye.  I carefully let the fish do its thing down below the boat and then when it came to the surface and we netted the fish, I was totally surprised. I’ve never targeted whitefish in Lake Roosevelt. It is my favorite place to fish for smallmouth bass and walleye, and this has changed my mind about fishing for lake whitefish.”

Gavin caught the fish in the late afternoon and he texted his father about the catch.  Gavin’s dad, Tony Boggs, did some research and told his son he might have a new state record on his hands.

According to WDFW, Boggs immediately iced the fish in a cooler and drove from Seven Bays to Davenport Family Foods, where an official scale verified the weight as 7.86 pounds. The store owner, a friend of the Boggs family, stayed late just so Gavin could have it officially weighed.

Gavin then took the fish to the WDFW Spokane regional office on February 14th, where biologist Danny Garrett measured this new state-record lake whitefish at 26.25 inches long, with a girth of 16 inches.

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The old state record weighed 7.50 pounds and was caught Feb. 19, 2021, by Jacob White at Cox Lake in Franklin County.  Gavin said Jacob actually reached out to him on Facebook to congratulate him and “pass the torch”.  

Will this record be broken again soon?  Possibly.  WDFW conducted a netting survey at Lake Roosevelt last fall and caught quite a few lake whitefish, including one that weighed 9.5 pounds.

Eastern Washington State

Eastern Washington State is a paradise for trout anglers during the Fall, with its picturesque lakes and rivers offering some of the finest trout fishing experiences in the Pacific Northwest. In this article, we invite you to embark on a journey through some of my favorite bountiful trout waters of Lake Roosevelt, Waitts Lake, Bonaparte Lake, Rock Lake, and that little urban oasis, Liberty Lake. These 5 distinct fishing destinations in Eastern Washington promise anglers of all skill levels unforgettable moments, breathtaking scenery, and a chance to reel in some of the most sought-after trout species. So, grab your fishing gear, pack your camping supplies, and let's explore these trout fishing wonders of Eastern Washington.

Our adventure begins at Lake Roosevelt, a sprawling reservoir created by the Grand Coulee Dam on the mighty Columbia River. Stretching over 130 miles, this massive body of water provides abundant opportunities for trout fishing. Lake Roosevelt is renowned for its healthy population of Rainbow trout, which can grow to impressive sizes. Anglers flock here in search of trophy Rainbows, and Kokanee.

Springtime and Fall are the golden seasons at Lake Roosevelt. During spring, as temperatures rise, trout move closer to the surface, making them more accessible to both trolling fly’s and even bait rigs. As fall brings in cooler temperatures, rejuvenating the bite and luring trout closer to the shallows, welcoming the excellent opportunities for bank fishing. Camping facilities, beach camping, and boat launches are readily available along the lake’s shores, ensuring a convenient and memorable fishing experience.

Moving over to the Northeast side of the state, we discover Waitts Lake. Just tucked into the hills of the small-town Valley, just off of HWY 395, this lake beckons trout fisherman from all over. This lake has been known for its healthy population of Brown Trout, where they are abundant and can be caught many ways. This pristine, spring-fed lake is also stocked with Rainbow trout, making it an ideal spot for anglers seeking a peaceful escape.

Spring and early summer

Spring and early summer are prime time to fish Waitts Lake as waters warm. But in the Fall, Rainbow and Brown Trout become increasingly active, providing ample opportunities for a successful day on the water. Drifting fly’s, such as a Wooly Bugger, on a casting bubble has always been lights out, as for trolling the familiar setups from spinners to dodgers can also fill the cooler. Don't be afraid to bang the bottom with a simple quarter ounce jig tipped with a worm, very effective for the Brown Trout cruising the bottom for food. Shore anglers have access to 3 different resorts, and docks available to fish from, and can be just as productive as fishing from a boat. Some productive spots to pay attention to are the Southern portion of the lake near the launch, and the Western shoreline. 

Onward to almost central of the state, we take a ride to one of my favorite winter lakes to fish. Nestled high in the Okanogan Highlands, Bonaparte Lake offers an alpine fishing experience that's nothing short of magical. Surrounded by lush coniferous forests, this tranquil lake is a sanctuary for both trout and those anglers who seek them. This lake has a campground and a very nice resort that caters to anglers year-round. My favorite time to visit is the winter with the snow and ice, it's just a beautiful place to chase trout.

Bonaparte Lake really comes to life in late spring and late summer into Fall. As the snow recedes and temperatures rise, the lake's trout species become more active, creating a feeding frenzy. Rainbow cutthroat can be the target for many, but there's those who are in search of a big Tiger Trout, or the beautiful Brook Trout, prized for its vibrant colors and feisty nature. The Southern portion of the lake near the creek mouth has always been a go to spot, especially in the winter months. Targeting deep holes adjacent to shelves and breaks can produce large fish year-round. But targeting the southern end near the creek mouth, where submerged rocks and logs create perfect ambush points for trout. A must visit for any avid angler who's seeking an adventure. 

Head South to the largest natural lake in Eastern Washington, with an open fishing season all year, we launch into Rock Lake in Whitman County. This lake has a reputation for providing an excellent fishery for Rainbows, and large Brown Trout. The boat ramp is a rough one, and takes some experience to navigate, as shore fishing is limited to the launch area. With the launch being unimproved, you may only see a handful of boats out there, but be aware of underwater hazards, as submerged rocks can sneak up on you quickly. Scenery is like a slice of the wild west, with basalt cliffs and sagebrush hills, offering a unique angling experience.

Brown Trout

Since Brown Trout are the primary target, fishing from a boat is the most popular choice. Trolling plugs and large spoons are effective, and Jointed Rapalas work amazingly trolled at slow speeds. Casting larger lures near the rock walls with slow retrieves can produce limits quickly if you're not a troller. I tend to notice from October, when the Browns spawn to spring, is the hottest bites from shore or boat. Enjoy this lake with caution, as the wind can play a big part in how you fish at this lake. 

Now time to head back to town, where our trout journey concludes at Liberty Lake. An urban oasis located just minutes from the city of Spokane Valley, this lake offers convenience and a diverse range of angling experiences. Liberty is home to Rainbow, and Brown Trout, making it accessible for a variety of fishing methods. From trolling dodgers and spinners, to drifting flies, and my personal favorite, casting large jerk baits in the early spring when ice is melting off. Jerk baits really get those large Browns fired up. With a dock for shore fishing and a boat launch, it makes fishing for all anglers accessible. With the amenities of Spokane Valley within reach, anglers can combine their fishing adventures with a bit of urban exploration.

Eastern Washington State is a haven for trout fishing enthusiasts, and the lakes of Lake Roosevelt, Waitts Lake, Bonaparte Lake, Rock Lake, and Liberty Lake offer a diverse range of experiences. Whether you're seeking trophy trout, serene solitude, a hidden fishing haven, a journey back in time, or an urban oasis, Eastern Washington's trout-filled waters have something for everyone. So, grab your gear, explore these scenic destinations, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty and bountiful trout fisheries of this remarkable region.

You’ve probably heard stories about the Brewster pool, if you haven’t fished it before. It’s one of the most productive and legendary fisheries in the state, and many fishermen look forward to fishing it every year. Thousands of chinook and sockeye salmon make their way up the Columbia River and stage in the cool waters of Lake Pateros (also known as the Brewster pool) before heading up the Okanagan River. The fishery typically opens up in July and can be extremely productive for both species of fish. Despite their long journey, the fish are willing biters and taste great on the grill or smoker. 20-pound chinook are regularly caught, and the sockeye are great eating quality.

It’s a fun fishery for a summer day, but learning how to fish it isn’t always easy. Brewster is about an hour north of Wenatchee, so it’s quite a drive. It can also be intimidating because there are so many other boats in the water. As long as you do some research and have patience, you’ll have a great time and catch some fish. Here’s some tips and tricks to help give you a successful day at the Brewster pool.

Chinook

The chinook fishery at Brewster tends to be a first light fishery, so grab the coffee and headlamps so you can launch in the dark. It’s a short run from the boat ramp to the pool, just stop when you see all the other boats! The most important thing to know about the Brewster pool is that it’s a trolling game. Some anglers jig or anchor up, but they are few and far between. There are just too many boats for anyone to anchor up. Most fishermen in the pool use cannon ball droppers and skip the downriggers. You can run anywhere between 4 to 12 ounces of lead, depending on the current and the stoutness of your rods. Brad’s Super Baits trolled behind 360 style flashers are the go-to, but many anglers have good success with spinners too.

Wrap or stuff your plug with tuna, herring, or shrimp to give it extra pizazz. If you run spinners, you can put some gel scent on them or hook on a coon shrimp. Don’t be afraid to swap out the hooks on your lures. Chinook have thick, tough jaws, so you want your hooks to stick. Troll between 1.5 to 2mph if you can, but you may have to match your speed with other boats if the pool is crowded enough. When fighting the fish, keep the pressure on. These fish will spit the hook if there’s any slack in the line, and they really tend to explode when they see the net. Adjust your drag and be patient.

Sockeye

If the chinook aren’t biting or you have bored kids in your boat, Brewster pool sockeye are plentiful and hungry! They are a bit smaller than Baker Lake sockeye, but they taste good and are much more numerous than the chinook. Like the chinook fishery, sockeye here are caught by trolling. There are usually two groups of boats in the pool, one that trolls faster for chinook on the current break between the Okanagan and the Columbia, and one that targets chinook closer to the mouth of the Okanagan. Chinook and sockeye do sometimes bite on the same gear, especially when the sockeye really start to stack up in the pool.

If you catch a chinook on sockeye gear, hang on! If you’re targeting sockeye, the same concepts you use when kokanee fishing apply. Use short leaders and lots of scent! Mack’s Lures offer a variety of sockeye lures that are all killer in the Brewster pool. Pink lures work best for sockeye. Pair them up with a dodger or smaller flasher, and you’re in business. Don’t forget to tip your lure with a piece of coon shrimp. You can cure your own or buy some pre-cured ones. No need to use the whole shrimp like you did for chinook that morning, you can just use a small tail piece. Thankfully, the sockeye bite all day, but the fish are more active in the early morning. Use lighter cannonballs than the ones that you used for chinook earlier in the morning. It’s worth using different weights to make sure your lines don’t tangle, particularly if you’re running 4 or more rods. The sockeye move deeper as the day heats up.

There’s a deep river channel somewhat near the shore that the sockeye like to hang out in, but definitely don’t be afraid to fish away from the crowd and try new areas. The sockeye in the Brewster pool are higher up in the water column than the chinook, so a good fish finder can really help you out. Just like their freshwater dwelling cousins, sockeye prefer a slow troll. Again, if you’re fishing in the crowd, you will probably have to match their general speed. Make sure your gear looks good before dropping it down. You’ll want your dodger to give your lure plenty of action to attract the sockeye, so shorten your leader if you need to.

Here’s a few words to the wise about the Brewster pool. Wear sunscreen! The sun can really beat down on those hot days between bites, you’ll be glad to have it on board. It’s a good idea to start fishing at first light and run back before noon, before the heat becomes too unbearable. Also, make sure to pay attention to your surroundings. The Brewster pool isn’t exactly a secret, so you can expect to have company. Sometimes there are hundreds of other boats out there, especially on weekends. Paying attention to the helm and giving other boats some space will help avoid flared tempers.

If you’d rather not deal with the potential stress, there are dozens of guides that you can book to fish the Brewster pool. You can kick back and enjoy the beautiful scenery, and come home with a cooler full of filets. Speaking of coolers, they are a must-have- both for cold drinks and for keeping fish. You’ll want to bleed and ice your fish ASAP for the best meat quality. Lastly, get to the boat ramp early and bring a good book. The boat ramp can get very crowded, especially when the sockeye are in. It’s a good idea to use the time spent waiting to prep your boat. This is another instance when having patience and a level head will help you out. If you’d rather not spend an hour or two waiting to launch, again, hiring a guide might not be a bad idea. Some of them actually launch the night before, anchor up, and sleep on the boat before they pick you up.

Once you’re done fishing for the day, head into the town of Brewster for lunch. There are several excellent restaurants, and downtown Brewster is worth exploring for the afternoon. It’s a great way to cap off your day of sockeye and chinook fishing! Fishing the Brewster pool is an unforgettable experience. Head out there and have fun!

Introducing the unique Pink salmon: distinguished by their distinct life cycle, these fish follow a two-year journey, returning to their spawning rivers as two-year-olds. Adding to their allure is the intriguing fact that they exclusively run during odd years within Washington State. This year, an estimated 4 million Pink salmon are projected to traverse the Sound. Despite their classification as the smallest Pacific salmon, their tenacity in battle and delightful flavor remain unyielding. Their culinary versatility shines as they excel on the grill, particularly atop a cedar plank, and find their way into many anglers' smokers. For numerous enthusiasts, Pink salmon mark their initiation into the world of Washington State salmon fishing, thanks to their abundant presence and approachable nature compared to their larger counterparts.

Around this time of year, pinks flood the Sound and begin to stage near their home rivers. One of the best things about pink salmon is that you don’t need a boat to catch them from the shore or pier. They tend to swim within casting distance most of the time, and at this point in their life cycle they are still actively feeding, so they aggressively attack most offerings they see. With millions of pink salmon cruising by the shoreline looking for a meal, this is the perfect time to head to your local saltwater pier or beach and bring home some pinks for the grill.

Presenting A Jig

By and large, most shore anglers fish for pink salmon with jigs. There’s no need to use bait because pink salmon will aggressively bite a well-presented jig. Buzz Bombs and Rotators are the most commonly used jigs. They are easy to use and thousands of pink salmon readily gobble them up every year. They are designed to resemble a wounded baitfish, and they flutter erratically as they fall. Rigging them up is pretty simple: put on your buzz bomb, then thread on a bead and a bumper. Then tie directly to your hook (don’t forget to pinch the barb if it’s required). I usually use a 1/0 or 2/0 hook for pinks. To use jigs, cast out to where you think the fish are at, let your jig sink for a few seconds, then reel in and lift your rod tip up. Next, quickly lower your rod tip and let the jig fall. Repeat this until you reach the shore or catch a fish. Make sure to jig all the way until shore- sometimes the fish will follow your lure and strike at the last second.

Most of your strikes will be as the jig is falling. If you get a bite, quickly set the hook and keep up the pressure, especially if you’re using barbless hooks. As their name suggests, pink salmon love the color pink! It’s a good idea to start with that color, then switch it up if you aren’t getting fish. Buzz Bombs come in a variety of different weights. For pinks, I’d suggest using the lightest weight that you can cast well. If the bite is slow, try rubbing on some shrimp, anise, or herring scent. Gel based scent will cling to the jig longer. You can also thread on a small pink hoochie for extra action. If switching lures doesn’t work, you can switch locations as well. Sometimes just walking down for a few minutes on the beach can make all the difference.

Spinners

Another viable option if fish don’t seem to be hitting your jig is to use spinners. Vibrax spinners tend to be light, so it’s a good idea to thread on some bullet weights above a swivel to help get them down to where the fish are at. Several other brands such as Mepps make heavier spinners that will get to the proper depth without additional weight. Bring several options, and don’t be afraid to add scent or thread a hoochie on. 

For your rod and reel, I’d recommend using a rod that can handle ½ to 1 ½ oz. weights, probably around 8 to 10 feet in length. I highly recommend using braided line because you can feel those sensitive bites easier, but mono will definitely do the job. A size 3000 to 4000 reel will have plenty of backbone to handle the fish. Remember to rinse your reel after fishing, saltwater is very corrosive and can cause damage if not washed off.

Where To Start?

Wondering where to start? Les Davis Pier, Edmonds Pier, Des Moines Pier, Browns Point, and Point No Point are all popular locations that reliably produce pinks every year. Any beach with a point and a good drop-off will most likely hold fish. Expect to have some company, though. Just be patient and try to avoid tangling your line with other anglers, especially if the current is strong. If you go to a pier, have a plan for netting your catch. Most piers are too far from the water to be able to use traditional nets. Pier anglers have taken to using crab rings. Just lower them down to the water and scoop up your fish. It takes some practice though! Beach anglers need not use a net, simply back up and swing your fish onto the beach.

As always, be sure to check the rules and regulations before going fishing. Don’t forget to swap those treble hooks for barbless single-point hooks, if required. You can buy barbless hooks or simply pinch the barb yourself with pliers. If you’re new to salmon fishing, WDFW offers salmon identification guides. It’s important to be able to tell the difference between salmon species, because they are regulated differently. You may be able to keep pinks but not chinook, for example.

In general, hatcheries do not clip pink salmon fins, so don’t worry about checking if they’re hatchery or wild. The way to identify pink salmon is by checking the gums and the spots on the tail. Pink salmon have large spots on the tail and a white mouth with black gum line and tongue. For optimum meat quality, don’t forget to bleed and gut your catch before going home. Despite what some anglers say, pink salmon tastes great on the smoker or grill. Since they don’t have as much fat as their cousins, they have a milder taste than other salmon, which some people actually enjoy more. My favorite way to eat them is to season them with some of my favorite rub and then grill them on cedar or alder planks. They’re a great summertime treat that the entire family will love!

Duke tentatively jumped up to the bow of my Thunderbird, looking intently at the water passing by as we trolled along. “Oh boy,” I said to my wife Joann, “he looks like he is thinking about going for a swim.” Muscles tensing, Duke fulfilled my prediction and splashed into the cool spring waters of Lake Washington. As the boat traveled forward, I went to the side, leaned over, and grabbed the handle on the back of his life jacket, pulling him safely back into our boat. He gave me a look as if to say, “what did you do that for, I was just starting to have some fun!” Such is the life of going fishing with a dog. JoAnn had always wanted me to have a dog that I could take fishing, and Duke, our one-year-old Springer Spaniel, was just that dog. Trained for upland bird hunting, I’d introduced him to water early and he took to it. That said, hunting with a dog on dry ground versus having a dog on a moving boat are two very different things. While fishing with your four-legged best friend can be a wonderful experience, it does present some unique challenges that anglers should be aware of.

What To Know

When you decide to bring your dog along with you on your boat for the first time, it’s important to think through what is entailed (pun intended) for your fishing trip. First and foremost is – know your dog! What kind of training has he had? Has he been introduced to water? Can he swim? Does he obey your commands? Will he be a good partner at the boat launch, or a distraction and irritation to those around you? These are all important questions to consider before you bring your dog along for a day of fishing. Having your best friend along for a day of fishing can make the day that much special, or, it can be a huge headache, and possibly put your dog in danger. Let’s look at some basics to think about before you take your dog out on your boat.

You’ve arrived at the boat launch and there’s a couple of boats in line waiting to launch. It’s just you and your best friend and your expensive boat waiting to launch. Now what do you do? In my opinion, Fido needs to stay safe and secure in your rig. Letting your dog out to run around is a big no-no. Other anglers looking to launch are not going to be happy with a dog running around, no matter how well-behaved you may think he is. Dogs can be unpredictable, so keep him in the truck as you go through your routine prep for launching your boat. Or, if there is a place you can leash him up to stay and watch, out of the way of others, that would be OK. For me, I keep Duke in the truck where there are others around. If it’s just the two of us, I’m ok with letting him out. That’s because I know him and he is well-trained to commands and, most importantly, he obeys. 

Launch completed and boat secured, your truck is parked. It’s time to go fishing with your buddy! The next critical question to ask is this – life jacket or no life jacket? For Duke, I treat him like a kid. Just because he can swim doesn’t mean he’s safe to be in a boat without a life jacket. Especially when we are about to put the pedal to the meddle and blast off at thirty miles an hour to our favorite fishing location. So, the life jacket goes before we get up on a plane. It’s one less thing for me as a boat operator to worry about. This way I know that he will be safe if something happens and he does go in.  

Water Conditions

What about fishing all day, either anchored up or slow trolling? Our Lake Washington trip was the first time I took Duke on the water, and he decided he wanted to see what the water was like. Since then, he has never jumped into the lake on his own. I find that very interesting, and I now am OK with taking the jacket off if we are anchored or trolling. Of course, weather and conditions are also a consideration in this equation. I try to never take Duke on the boat if it’s not going to be a pleasant day. A puking dog is no fun and it’s not fair to the dog to be put through rough water conditions. 

While you're out on the boat there’s a couple doggy essentials to keep in mind. Dogs need a few things to be comfortable: shade on a sunny day, water, a comfy place to lay down, and maybe a treat or two (especially when you try to eat your own lunch!). They also need potty breaks. Finding a place to pull your boat up on shore gives you a chance to stretch your legs and let the doggy stretch his. Not to mention relieve himself. Of course, being a dog means some sniffing time is important. Just like fishing with kids, I think it’s important to not be hard-core when fishing with a dog. Give your Best Friend some “dog time”. I think it will make him more excited the next time you pull out your boat – yay! Another fishing adventure!

One word of caution when fishing with a dog. Expect the unexpected. I remember a trip on the Snake River doing a Cast and Blast Adventure. We had dogs on the boat for our chukar hunt, but first we were fishing for chinook salmon, side drifting eggs. I think you know where I’m going with this… at the end of a drift we brought in our gear to run back to the top of the hole. One of the anglers’ dogs decided that he might like the taste of fresh salmon eggs for breakfast. Before we knew it, this angler’s dog had scarfed down a baited hook of salmon eggs, all the way beyond reach. Unfortunately for the angler his day of fishing was cut short as we took him back to the boat launch for a trip to the vet for x-rays. The vet informed the owner of the dog to watch to see if the hook passed (not the most pleasant job by the way). While no harm came to the dog, it was an expensive reminder of what I mentioned early – dogs can be unpredictable. 

So, by all means, take your dog fishing – you’ll love it and so will the dog – but be ever mindful and keep a close eye on your Four Legged-Friend! 

Catching bass in the shallows during the spawn is a fun thing to do in the spring, but when it comes to summertime fishing, few things are more enjoyable than catching aggressive largemouth and smallmouth bass. Here are a few of my favorite ways to hook them:

Topwater Fun

There are a lot of ways to skin a cat, as they say, and there are also a lot of ways to catch a bass during the summer months.  However, nothing is more enjoyable than watching a bass erupt out of the water to smash a topwater lure.  The best time to fish topwater lures is early in the morning or in the evening (even after dark on a moonlit night).  However, if the waters are calm, you can also have success with topwater lures anytime, especially in shaded areas or on cloudy days.

What kind of topwater lures should you use?  If you are fishing an area full of hydrilla, milfoil, or lily pads, it’s hard to beat a weedless frog.  Tournament angler Jeremy LeCaire favors frog lures with a white belly since that mimics an actual frog belly.  Others swear by frogs that are black in color, while others believe in using a frog with, well, a frog pattern!  No matter what color you use, twitching it over pads into small open areas of water can trigger many strikes.

If you are not fishing in cover, you have lots of other options.  The biggest bass I ever caught (8+ pounds) was caught on a Berkley Bullet Pop popper in a frog pattern, fishing the lure near wood stick ups.  Similar poppers or lures like a Zara Spook can be fished at a slow pace or a faster pace in a “walk the dog” fashion, popping left, then right, while you retrieve the lure.  As an old friend once told me when it comes to speed, “Let the fish tell you what they want”.  

Are there other topwater lures that work?  You bet!  A fairly new offering is the Whopper Plopper, which is can be cast and reeled in with a slow, steady retrieve as it gurgles along the surface.  Buzzbaits retrieved at a fast pace can trigger violent strikes, and don’t forget classic lures like the Arbogast Hula Popper or Jitterbug.  They have both been around for over 80 years but they both still work.

Spinnerbaits

Spinnerbaits are always a good summertime bet for bass.  I personally favor a white spinnerbait for most conditions but will go with a chartreuse color if there is low visibility in the water.  A ¼ or 3/8-ounce spinnerbait can be retrieved rapidly, just under the surface of the water, creating a wake.  Heavier spinnerbaits between ½ to one ounce in weight can be slowly retrieved near the bottom.  Both methods can be effective.  Again, let the fish tell you what they want.

Crankbaits

Crankbaits are a big favorite of mine for both summer and fall bass.  Many anglers mistakenly believe these lures should be fished without hitting any structure.  That is a mistake.  Shallow water crankbaits should bang off of wood and deeper diving crankbaits should be ticking the bottom because that contact is what triggers reaction strikes from bass.  One of my favorite lures is the Berkley Digger which runs at a depth of 8 to 11 feet.  If I need to go deeper, the Berkley Dredger will get down to a depth of 20 feet.  As for colors, try to match the forage base.  For example, a perch or bluegill pattern if that’s what the bass are eating, a reddish color if crawfish are in the lake, or blue and chrome if the bass are feeding on trout.

Lipless Crankbaits

Another confidence bait for me is the lipless crankbait.  The original Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap has caught countless bass since it was introduced in 1971.  Rattle trap style lures have no bill (hence the word, lipless).  They create a sharp vibration when retrieved and thanks to BB sized shot inside the lure, they create a rattling noise as well.  The combination of the vibration and sound triggers bass hanging out in ambush points along weed lines or other structure such as log lay downs, beaver huts, boulders, or rocky riprap.

The lure excels in depths of two to eight feet.  You can rapidly retrieve the lure and draw strikes but I prefer to pause several times when I retrieve a rattle trap, just for a quick second.  I do this because following fish will often strike it when it stops in their face or as the lure begins to fall like a wounded fish.  Another method is to use a Yo-Yo retrieve, fishing the lure off the bottom.  This technique works best when the fish are deep.  

As for what lure to use?  There are a lot of lipless crankbaits out there in various sizes but my hands down favorite is the ½ ounce Berkley Warpig, which I’ve used to catch not only bass, but also walleye and other species since it was introduced a few years ago.  

There’s so much more to talk about when it comes to catching summer time bass (soft plastic baits for example) but we’ll have to leave that for another time.  Until then, use crankbaits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures to reel in some hard-hitting bass during these hot weather months!

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

As fly anglers, we are all cultured to believe that trout eat insects and nothing more. Trout gently sipping bugs from the surface of a calmly flowing stream paints the image of fly fishing narrative. It’s what we all learn in the beginning. Anything else would be culturally unacceptable in the fly fishing world. For years, I believed that no self-respecting trout would ever eat anything other than some form of aquatic insect or terrestrial bug. Fly fishing in Appalachia ingrained that into my head. That was right up until I read an article in Fish Alaska magazine about rainbow trout eating mice. 

 The level of disbelief wielding in my brain about what I was akin to what my grandfather thought about space travel. It wasn't happening. It didn’t happen and it wasn’t ever going to happen. Sure, I had seen a brown trout slashing at other fish and had buddies in the upper midwest that talked about mouse fishing for brown trout at night. But never, ever would a rainbow trout chase down and annihilate a mouse. Rainbows weren't that type of aggressor and besides, they didn’t get big enough to eat a mouse. Right? That’s what I, the 25 year old knower of all things trout, thought. No way.

 I must have read that story 10 times before I finally accepted that the writer must have had a very minute amount of success using this “mousing” method for Alaskan Rainbow Trout. Back in those pre-internet days all we had to rely on was a trusted publication with mass circulation and a photo album. Yes kids, before internet and social media we all carried photo albums with us to trade shows, speaking engagements, etc. A three ring binder notebook full of print photographs. Sometimes carrying just one album was not enough; depending on the situation and competition. It was the only way to advertise your trade of skills and to prove that you weren't just a liar. In fact, the next trade show I worked at was where I found living proof that the “mousing” I had read about was in fact real. Not only real but a viable method for targeting the largest of the species. I was befuddled.

 At that show, I met a lodge owner that hosted the writer for the story I had read in Fish Alaska. He explained to me how the whole Alaska trout universe operated. Upon understanding, the program made sense. It was no great consequence that this guy gave me my first job in Bristol Bay some years later. I adapted his explanation into my own version. If you have fished with me as a lodge guest, client or friend new to the Alaska trout universe, you have heard me deliver this lecture. Some of you may have heard it more than once. Its as follows - Alaska rainbow trout live a different life and lifestyle than lower 48 rainbow trout. They only have a three, maybe four, month window of time to get in a full twelve month life cycle, as compared to a regular lower 48 rainbow that might have nine or ten months to get everything in before the water cools to a point that their metabolism slows to a crawl.

So, in three months, an Alaska rainbow trout has to find a girlfriend, find a house or two and, it has to eat everything it can. And by eating everything it can, I mean everything starting with the highest forms of protein first. In spring, voles (mice) and leeches are the prominent source. As summer comes so do the salmon producing first eggs, then flesh after the spawn is over. Fall brings on the sculpin, more leeches and whatever else they can find. All that along with finding a girlfriend and a couple houses in three months. Its a lot of living.

 But more importantly, the “mousing.” While in spring and summer hordes of mice or voles, red back voles to be specific, make their seemingly ridiculous trek transitioning from tundra animal to aspiring olympic swimmer. Why? I don’t know. Some say its because of some migration pattern. Maybe. Others say its because they are seeking the same things all mammals seek. Could be. Why a tiny little vole would jump into a raging river flowing at upwards of ten knots is beyond my level of good reasoning and understanding. Why do voles jump in the river? My opinion is because they just do and I don’t care why as long as trout continue to eat them. If you are more worried about why they do as opposed to the consequences of it, you should probably change the channel. I heard re-runs of the greatest Bob Hope Christmas specials were going to air in July. You might check that out. 

 The first time I watched a rainbow “mousing” left a scorching imprint of what really happens in the bush. Eat or get eaten. Brutality in its purest form. This poor little red back vole was just swimming across the river in a narrow channel that didn’t seem deep enough to hold a rainbow. Its swimming along just trying to get to the other side for who knows why and this two foot rainbow manifests, chases the vole, swirls and smashes on it but misses. Then it swirls and smashes again only to miss the vole again. Just when we all thought the show was over the trout comes back for one last grab. Third times a charm right. Nope. Another swing and miss precluded with a full body leap out of the water to come crashing down on top of the vole, missing completely.

All the while this vole is still just swimming. Doing its thing. While I am sure the thing was horrified beyond belief, it didn’t change its pace or course. Probably because it wasn't capable of physically fighting the river current. The fourth and final attempt from the rainbow proved worthy but not without show. The fish came back waking the even more shallow water like a great white shark chasing a seal. It literally powered its way through six inches of water to annihilate the vole just before it reached the other side of the narrow river channel. Pure unforgiving brutality. I and my Swiss clients stood there looking at each other. Until that moment, we had all struggled with a language barrier. they didn't speak much English and I didn’t speak Romansch. Once that rainbow crushed the vole, we all understood what needed to happen and it did.

 The first pass with a “mouse” pattern fly was nothing less than epic. Three chases and then a hook up. Next guy cast and had four chases and then hooked up. This went on all day and the rest of the week. At one point, I even took all the flies out of my pack except mice. The fact that they witnessed the initial sacrificial lamb significantly flattened the curve. They knew not to set the hook until they felt weight on the hook. Like the precision watches the guys built, with systematical precision they took apart the entire river and covered every bit of water with mouse patterns. All week. 

 Now I have clients that book for Alaska specifically when “mousing” is peak. Usually, June and July. They bring only mouse pattern flies, and floating seven weight lines on 9’ rods. Most folks bring two rods, just in case the unspeakable happens. The bush isn’t a place to not be prepared but, that’s another story.......

Too many kokanee. That was the problem. We had the cure. 
As we idled away from the dock in the Nomad's Fishing Adventures 24-foot Koffler sled, Bill Kremers and Josh Hopkins tied up rigs. Our guide, Damon Struble, passed out cups of cured corn. Garlic on the starboard side and krill-marinated kernels on the other. Then Struble pointed the bow up into the narrows. 

A few minutes later, when Struble shut off the Mercury, he looked each of us in the eye - Tim Wehde, Kremers, Hopkins, and me. "We're going to set the back rods at 60 feet out and the front rods at 70 feet. Put one to two kernels of corn on each hook. Things are going to be chaotic. If a rod starts bouncing, don't worry about whose rod it is. Pick it up. If you are tying up a new bait and see a rod with a fish, set the first rod down and get the fish in the boat."

Each rod was loaded with a 3-ounce weight to run the baits 30 to 40 feet down where thousands of kokanee schooled below us. 

At full pool, Green Peter covers 3,700 acres and is ten miles long, with 38 miles of shoreline. 

The water level fluctuates and the fish move around, but some of the best kokanee spots are by the dam, in the Quartzville arm (where we fished), and around the peninsula in the main channel. Jigging is a favorite technique early in the year, but trollers seem to do better in the summer. 

Damon uses a Simon 4.0 kokanee dodger on the main line with a Gold Star micro hoochie. Another good bet is a Kokanee Kid Super Mysis Bug or a Mack's Lure Double Whammy with a 10-inch leader. Most anglers add white corn. Damon likes to marinate the corn overnight in Pro-Cure krill powder and Garlic Plus. Hopkins had brought two prototype Lamiglas kokanee rods, graphite/fiberglass hybrids with slow actions. We would put them to the test with these heavy 3-ounce weights. 

For several years, ODFW found themselves with a surplus of sockeye smolts, Struble explained. Those fish ended up in Green Peter Reservoir.  

"The result is such an overabundance there isn't enough food for all the fish. So they are stunted," Struble said. 

In less than two minutes, we had the first bite. The fish came fast, sometimes with two or three rods bouncing at once. As quick as we could put fish in the box and put fresh bait on hooks, there would be another bite. Our kokanee averaged eight to nine inches each. The direct beneficiary of the kokanee experiment is a little known landlocked chinook salmon fishery created by ODFW almost 20 years ago. 

"They wanted to see if the chinook salmon would migrate through the dam and return. For seven or eight years, ODFW put 20,000 chinook smolts in the reservoir," Struble said. "After some high water flood years that blew out the catch nets, the project was abandoned." Technically, the experiment didn't prove successful, but the chinook are still there. "They turned Green Peter into their ocean and spawn up in the creeks," Struble said. 

How big do they get? 

"The biggest one I have caught was 16-1/2 pounds, while trolling for kokanee with a dodger and a little hoochie," Struble said. Those landlocked chinook are growing big on the kokanee. Struble estimates he has caught 25 or 30 chinook between two and ten pounds while fishing for kokanee. 

"When they are small, I'm not sure what they feed on, but inside that 16-1/2 pounder was a mostly digested kokanee about eight inches long."We didn't have time to target Green Peter rainbows, but that is another facet of this interesting fishery. Ahead of every Memorial Day weekend, the state plants 10,000 rainbows. Anglers don't get them all.

"Come springtime there is a really good population of hungry holdovers that range from 12 to 18 inches," Struble said. While we worked back and forth above a biomass of kokanee, the eagles and ospreys watched. When we lost a fish at the surface, a raptor would swoop down to pluck it out of the wind-riffled water. 

At Green Peter, the kokanee limit is 25 per day in addition to the daily five-trout limit. There is no size restriction for kokanee. Landlocked chinook salmon may be retained as part of the kokanee limit. 

Damon glanced at the western sky, which had suddenly filled with clouds and said, "Unless you guys want part of that, we should run for the dock!" And run we did. By the time the Ford was pointed back toward Central Oregon, the windshield wipers were working overtime. We had boated 45 kokanee in two hours. We hardly put a dent in them. 

www.GaryLewisOutdoors.com

If you fish, boat, crab, or just read the news in Western Washington, by now you’ve probably heard about the invasive European green crab. But how to identify this green menace, what are the rules if you encounter one, and what is the state doing about them? Read on for answers as well as tips to avoid spreading these and other aquatic invasive species. 

Native to western Europe from the Baltic Sea to Morocco, the European green crab is a damaging crab that threatens native shellfish, estuary habitats, eelgrass, the aquaculture industry, and other recreational, tribal, economic, and environmental values. The European green crab first became established in the United States in the mid-1800s, arriving by ship to New England, where they contributed to dramatic declines in the soft-shell clam fishery.

Studies have shown these voracious shore crabs (meaning they live in shallow, often intertidal waters, including bays, inlets, sloughs, and estuaries) can consume as many as 40 clams a day! In areas where European green crabs have established large populations for extended periods, they have had dramatic impacts on other species, particularly smaller shore crabs, clams, and small oysters. 

In addition to preying on shellfish, European green crabs are vigorous diggers and have severely harmed New England’s eelgrass beds and estuaries. If allowed to do the same here in the Pacific Northwest, loss of estuary and eelgrass habitat would threaten the harvest of wild shellfish like geoducks and cockles, undermine shellfish businesses, hurt salmon and forage fish recovery, and disrupt complex native food webs. Research is also ongoing regarding potential impacts on juvenile Dungeness crab and crab fisheries.

Back to Washington state, European green crabs were first discovered on our coast in 1998 in Willapa Bay, remaining in small numbers but slowly spreading north over the following decades. European green crabs were first documented in Washington’s inland waters in the San Juan Islands in 2016, and were confirmed near Victoria, British Columbia the previous year.

Beginning around 2018, state and federal agencies, tribes, and partners began to detect significant increases in European green crabs—likely linked to warmer water conditions, especially in 2021—in areas including Willapa Bay, Grays Harbor, Makah Bay, and Lummi Bay. In just a matter of years, green crabs in these areas had exploded from a few hundred to tens of thousands of crabs; necessitating emergency control measures.

Since then, emerging “hotspots” have also been detected in Discovery Bay and Drayton Harbor, as well as smaller numbers of crabs in northern Hood Canal near Seabeck. Most recently, green crabs were detected in May 2025 near Port Gamble. 

Thankfully, European green crabs have not yet been confirmed south of Hood Canal and Whidbey Island, including no detections to date in Puget Sound proper. 

How to identify green crabs

Don’t be fooled by the name; European green crabs can be green, red, orange, brown, or yellow. To identify them, look for five spines or teeth on each side of the shell. Guides and tips for identification are available from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) European green crab webpages and Crabs of Washington identification guide, available online.  

People are often surprised by how small these crabs are – the average green crab captured by WDFW is around 2 inches across the shell. They can get up to 4 inches wide, much smaller than mature Dungeness or red rock crabs. In Washington state, the European green crab is most often confused with the native hairy shore crab, helmet crab, or kelp crab. 

They typically live in areas with less than 25 feet of water. Beachgoers, waders, clam and oyster harvesters, and people crabbing off docks or piers in shallow areas are most likely to encounter these shore crabs. Recreational shrimpers or crabbers operating in deep water are unlikely to catch them.  

Rules and regulations  

If you find a suspected European green crab or its shell in Washington, take photos and report it as soon as possible at wdfw.wa.gov/greencrab or through the Washington Invasive Species Council’s WA Invasives mobile app. Depending on the area, WDFW or permitted partners will follow up with trapping to remove as many green crabs as possible and slow their spread. 

As a prohibited invasive species, it is illegal to possess a live European green crab in Washington. Currently, WDFW is not asking the public to kill suspected EGC. This is to protect native crabs, which are often misidentified.

More information on EGC regulations is available on WDFW’s webpage and in the Washington Sport Fishing Rules. Under Washington regulations, prohibited invasive species may be killed and retained if you are certain about species identification and assume responsibility for correct identification and adherence to state fishing rules.

Targeting European green crabs with traps requires a permit from WDFW. If you own or manage shellfish beds, beaches, or tidelands, support and permits for European green crab control may be available. Learn more by contacting ais@dfw.wa.gov.  

Managing green crabs

WDFW, tribes, shellfish growers, other agencies, and partners have made significant progress managing European green crabs. Since January 2022, more than one million have been captured and removed, most from Willapa Bay, Grays Harbor, and Lummi Bay.  

In 2024, WDFW published a long-term management plan for European green crab after a year-long collaboration with tribal governments, U.S. federal agencies, Washington state agencies, shellfish growers, public universities, and additional partners. 

The plan includes detailed guidance for European green crab early-detection monitoring, rapid response, ongoing control trapping, and other efforts across defined management areas and coordination zones for Washington’s Outer Coast and Salish Sea. More information on green crab management, regular catch reports, and more ways to get involved can be found on the WDFW website. 

You can also help prevent the spread of European green crabs and other aquatic invasive species by practicing Clean, Drain, Dry methods with all your gear, equipment, and watercraft. Visit WDFW’s webpage or search “Clean, Drain, Dry” for tips on ways to prevent green crab larvae, which can be very small and hard to see, and other invasive species from hitching a ride on your equipment.