I've had lots of calls in the last week and the question is all pretty much the same "What going on up at Chopaka or how is Aeneas Lake fishin these days.
I'll start out with Chopaka: The road is hell in places, the weather is unpredictable, there lots of open camp space and the fishing is great if you know what to use. I've heard today from a very reliable source. he had a fifty plus day up there. the wind was down from yesterday looked like it was going to rain. (but never did) Only two other boats on the water and all were having a grand old time. with the cool nights and the mild days the water temperature is where the fish like it and will give you a nice run or two. Most every fish was hooked between 5 and 10 foot of water towards the south end of the lake.I will be heading up there sooooooon myself. average Bow was 16 some at 18 and a very few hit the 20 inch mark but when one of the bigger fish hit you know it.
Aeneas still slow during the daylight or early day but it picks up late just before dark. The brown start making there move into the shore line looking for the smaller fry Use a streamer and change up your retrieve fast and slow let it fall farther deeper shallower change up and the strikes will come hard.
I'll be out in the Sinlahekin tomorrow and will hit Big Blue for a couple hours before heading to Aeneas and Chopaka on Monday.
I got the word that DFW are shooting for the 11th as the date for Steelhead Opener. I will confirm the date when I talk to Jeff and Ryan tomorrow, and let you know !!!!!!!!
Take someone fishing with you have fun enjoy the lake while you still can we only have a few weeks left. That is for most of them.
FISH HARD FISH HAPPY FISH OFTEN
BARBLESS HOOKS & KNOTLESS NETS
Friday, September 26, 2014
A day of lite rain
Wednesday was a day of lite rain and I did go out and wet a line I hit the river for a short time with the Spey Rod. I did manage to hook a bass or two down at Shell Rock Point. There are lots of Chinook spawning I really didn't want to disturb them.
I headed up onto Johnson Creek, forgot to bring my phone so I can't show you the Brookie in full spawn colors, wasn't very big but beautiful.
Saturday is the last day of the Sinlahekin Wildlife Celebration. Gary and I will be out there with a TU booth. Get a chance come by and say Hello. We will be talking about our next project up at Buzzard Lake. All of the permits have been approved to redo the much needed boat launch repairs and we will gladly take any and all donation to help with the cost. OUR THANKS IN ADVANCE TO ALL THAT CONTRIBUTE.
HOPE TO SEE YOU OUT THERE.
Gary and I will fish Big Blue and have a report.
I headed up onto Johnson Creek, forgot to bring my phone so I can't show you the Brookie in full spawn colors, wasn't very big but beautiful.
Saturday is the last day of the Sinlahekin Wildlife Celebration. Gary and I will be out there with a TU booth. Get a chance come by and say Hello. We will be talking about our next project up at Buzzard Lake. All of the permits have been approved to redo the much needed boat launch repairs and we will gladly take any and all donation to help with the cost. OUR THANKS IN ADVANCE TO ALL THAT CONTRIBUTE.
HOPE TO SEE YOU OUT THERE.
Gary and I will fish Big Blue and have a report.
Monday, September 22, 2014
the weekend on the water!!!
Better get this out before I forget what happened all weekend. " Us old guys forget a lot" Saturday the wind was a blowin again not bad to begin with and everybody I called the night before had honey dos to get done before they could go out and play. ( retirement is way to busy )
I twisted up some small way small dry Midges Spinner #18s in purple, olive, and red. half dozen each and took them out to Salmon Creek. early I saw the fish slurpping them early one morning but couldn't tell as to what color they were. I tyed my tippit on while still on the bench because I knew that I would never be able to do it out in the field anymore.
With the little flies in the box I got out to the creek early, setup the Sage Flite 370-4 new 9ft. 6X leader added 3ft of 7X tippit and tyed on my Midge Spinner while still at the truck.
When I got about 15ft from the water I got down on my hands and knees and did the slow crawl to the edge pulled out about 20 feet of line and set the bug about six inches short of the far under cut bank. Before I could get the first mend half way done I saw the head come up and slurp my fly, I raised my rod and it bent over and then the splash the zing of the reel and snap. First Fly Gone. I tye on another. Almost the same story but this time it comes to Papa. a nice little 14 inch Bow. Not the biggest in this section of water. Well worth the effort.
I caught five more Bows and lost three more flies to the bushes behind me and on in a tree. The wind picked up to the point it was almost impossible to cast more than 30 feet with any accuracy. I was done for the day.
Sunday Gary came down about 10. He had never fished either Salmon Creek nor Green Lake. So we decided to hit both. First Salmon Creek for about 2 hours, With three weight in hand and all rigged up with Hopper and BWO. We had a blast. then went and hit Big Green.
We had to put my # two Pontoon boat together for him to use. I handed his a tub of assorted flies and he hit the water. By the time I had my stuff together he had boated more Bluegill than he could remember.
His comment when I caught up with him " If you don't have a bite in less tan 10 seconds there is somthing wrong, I love this.
FISH OFTEN, ENJOY LIFE WITH OUR FRIENDS, GO BARBLESS
BE KIND TO THE ENVIRONMENT
I twisted up some small way small dry Midges Spinner #18s in purple, olive, and red. half dozen each and took them out to Salmon Creek. early I saw the fish slurpping them early one morning but couldn't tell as to what color they were. I tyed my tippit on while still on the bench because I knew that I would never be able to do it out in the field anymore.
With the little flies in the box I got out to the creek early, setup the Sage Flite 370-4 new 9ft. 6X leader added 3ft of 7X tippit and tyed on my Midge Spinner while still at the truck.
When I got about 15ft from the water I got down on my hands and knees and did the slow crawl to the edge pulled out about 20 feet of line and set the bug about six inches short of the far under cut bank. Before I could get the first mend half way done I saw the head come up and slurp my fly, I raised my rod and it bent over and then the splash the zing of the reel and snap. First Fly Gone. I tye on another. Almost the same story but this time it comes to Papa. a nice little 14 inch Bow. Not the biggest in this section of water. Well worth the effort.
I caught five more Bows and lost three more flies to the bushes behind me and on in a tree. The wind picked up to the point it was almost impossible to cast more than 30 feet with any accuracy. I was done for the day.
Sunday Gary came down about 10. He had never fished either Salmon Creek nor Green Lake. So we decided to hit both. First Salmon Creek for about 2 hours, With three weight in hand and all rigged up with Hopper and BWO. We had a blast. then went and hit Big Green.
We had to put my # two Pontoon boat together for him to use. I handed his a tub of assorted flies and he hit the water. By the time I had my stuff together he had boated more Bluegill than he could remember.
His comment when I caught up with him " If you don't have a bite in less tan 10 seconds there is somthing wrong, I love this.
FISH OFTEN, ENJOY LIFE WITH OUR FRIENDS, GO BARBLESS
BE KIND TO THE ENVIRONMENT
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Get ready to Spey
Yes !!!! It's time to pull out the Spey Rods and get back to casting the two handers again. This year I have a new Spey, It's a RL Winston Boron III 12'9" 7wt. it's soooo light and fast. I will get me another Nautilus Featherlite 7/8 to keep it balanced. Today was the first time that I really had the time to go out and try some different lines. The Airflo 535gr. Compact Skagit is what I settled on to throw and turn over most Mow Tips with big flies. For my Scandi Line 33ft. 385gr. and a 12 to 15 ft. leader to skate and wake my surface flies.
I'll use my old Redington RS4 13'3 7wt. for strictly nymphing when the water gets real cold. I've had a Loop, Beulah and an Echo in the past. But nothing compares to the Sage 7136-4 One, that some thief stole out of my truck a few years back down on the Methow. I really really loved that rod the way it felt in my hands, what it would do with line, and played fish.
But until I can afford another Sage One. I will do my best to fall in love with the Winston. Maybe all that I need is a few fish under my belt with it. Only time will tell.
The Winston is Fast and Smooth recovers quick, and did I mention its lite, something that I can use all day throwing big bugs along ways.
If our STEELHEAD SEASON ON OCTOBER 1 it's only twelve days away.but we need some rain to bring the metalheads up here. PRAY FOR RAIN
I'll use my old Redington RS4 13'3 7wt. for strictly nymphing when the water gets real cold. I've had a Loop, Beulah and an Echo in the past. But nothing compares to the Sage 7136-4 One, that some thief stole out of my truck a few years back down on the Methow. I really really loved that rod the way it felt in my hands, what it would do with line, and played fish.
The Winston is Fast and Smooth recovers quick, and did I mention its lite, something that I can use all day throwing big bugs along ways.
If our STEELHEAD SEASON ON OCTOBER 1 it's only twelve days away.but we need some rain to bring the metalheads up here. PRAY FOR RAIN
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Support your local fly shop & fish report
WE ALL NEED TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FLY SHOPS
AS MUCH AS WE CAN
Mine happens to be the Omak Big R Fly Shop, Where I used to work, Some big changes there has happen and more to come. Paul (23yrs old) the guy they hired to manage that came from Montana, is now gone. He sent them a text that he was back in Montana and was not coming back. So that puts Keith Roe incharge, as the main guy. Don't get me wrong, I like Keith and recommended for the opening when Tom left. But Keith is no fly fisherman and he admit to it. He told me when he started almost a year ago that he hadn't pick up a fly rod in over twenty years. He is a hell of a good Steelheader but he does it with a float and jigs and tyes some of the best. He doesn't fish the lakes much and can only give you second hand reports of what is hatching and what to use. and we all know that it changes daily.
I stopped in today and heard about all the changes, A company wide Name and Logo change ( I'll let them tell you ) when they are ready.
Anyway I used a rod today that I plum forgot about. Found it in the back of the closet hiding behind a bunch of rods and tubes, I got it at a Fly Shop, some years back that was going out of business. Because of the internet. It was a great little shop in Bellingham. I bought a Redington combo for under $50. it's called a Red-Fly and is 7'6" 2pc rod. that came with reel and Rio line and case. I figured a good rod to teach my nephew and niece how to fly fish with. the reel and line are worth more than fifty bucks if nothing else, but the rod is fantastic.I can throw line 50- 60 feet.
So this is what got me going on the subject: I went into the Fly Shop today to get a few leaders in 7 to 10 ft. long 6X or 7X and they don't carry them anymore, in any brand. now I have to make my own or go to the internet.
I stopped in today and heard about all the changes, A company wide Name and Logo change ( I'll let them tell you ) when they are ready.
Anyway I used a rod today that I plum forgot about. Found it in the back of the closet hiding behind a bunch of rods and tubes, I got it at a Fly Shop, some years back that was going out of business. Because of the internet. It was a great little shop in Bellingham. I bought a Redington combo for under $50. it's called a Red-Fly and is 7'6" 2pc rod. that came with reel and Rio line and case. I figured a good rod to teach my nephew and niece how to fly fish with. the reel and line are worth more than fifty bucks if nothing else, but the rod is fantastic.I can throw line 50- 60 feet.
So this is what got me going on the subject: I went into the Fly Shop today to get a few leaders in 7 to 10 ft. long 6X or 7X and they don't carry them anymore, in any brand. now I have to make my own or go to the internet.
Well I hit both Salmon Creek and Big Green today. I had the creek to myself for about a half hour up above Happy Hill. Fishing was good, until a dog showed up to play in the water that I was working and was catching fish. He wanted to chase my rod tip and splash at the fly in the water. I couldn't catch a thing after he showed up.
So I pack it in and headed off down creek to find someone working one of my other holes using a spin rod, while his little ones threw rock in the water, and horses in the last hole. I guess I was meant to be at Big Green. Where I had the whole lake to myself again.
I never put my pontoon boat into the water. I pulled out the little Redington rod combo again put on a soft hackle peacock pitched it out there from short and almost as soon as it hit the water before I could think and get the tip down close to the water to strip that little rod bent over and it was game on. I caught some nice Bluegill and some nice Bows one Bow close to 18 inches that I had to play quite awhile. I spent close to 2 hours there and had lots of fun. I'll say it again I don't need big fish to enjoy my time on the water just the rite gear. This picture is the average size of the Bluegill and one of the first that I caught some are much bigger while most are smaller and the unexpected Bow it's all a good time for me.
ENJOY LIFE, FISH OFTEN, PICK UP TRASH,
LEAVE ONLY FOOT PRINTS .
Just another day on the water.............
Tom and I headed out again to hit the water. I left my phone in the truck SORRY no pics this time but we hooked and lost a few fish Bows, Browns, and I put to net a large fat Brookie, that I didn't know were in the lake, even tho I know that years ago it held some pretty good ones.
This was Tom's only second time out on the water seance his surgery, and we stayed out close to four and half hours. Next week sometime we are going to pull out the Spey Rods and do some Bass fishin on the Okanogan while it is still low and see how well he does in the moving water. Yes we will use our inflatable life jackets and our wading staffs got to keep it safe, and I will fish down stream from him.
Today I shot Gary a text to see if he wants to go have some fun on Green or go hit the Creek. Gary want to learn more about moving water and how to read it. Everybody around here are really starting to think about the Steelhead season. We are all hoping for a October 1st opener !!!!! ???????????
Yesterday I got a text from someone about wanting to learn how to Spey cast and what kind of rod to buy along with a reel and line.
So much for the chit chat better get out do my chores and go fish.
This was Tom's only second time out on the water seance his surgery, and we stayed out close to four and half hours. Next week sometime we are going to pull out the Spey Rods and do some Bass fishin on the Okanogan while it is still low and see how well he does in the moving water. Yes we will use our inflatable life jackets and our wading staffs got to keep it safe, and I will fish down stream from him.
Today I shot Gary a text to see if he wants to go have some fun on Green or go hit the Creek. Gary want to learn more about moving water and how to read it. Everybody around here are really starting to think about the Steelhead season. We are all hoping for a October 1st opener !!!!! ???????????
Yesterday I got a text from someone about wanting to learn how to Spey cast and what kind of rod to buy along with a reel and line.
So much for the chit chat better get out do my chores and go fish.
Friday, September 12, 2014
I met up with TM on Thursday
With the weather so bad on Wednesday, cold wind steady at 15mph and gust to 30+. One look at the water and it was a no go. But by 11am Thursday my work day was done The wind stopped just like turning off a light switch, the temperature jumped from 38 to 57 by 11.
I shot Tom a text and ask if he was up to some bug flinging? within minutes his reply When and where be ready by 1. I needed to swing by the office, place a parts order, pick up my Buck's bag, and grab us a few brews, woof my lunch on the road.
Right at 1 I meet Tom "Lets just fish here, we only have a few hours till the OCFFC meeting".
Within minutes we're on the water he heads up the east side towards the north while I head down towards the south end we'll meet on the west side to compare notes. I did alright my first fish was a small Bow and second was a bigger Brown, Using the same Punkinhead, that was it for Trout. I started hitting the Smallmouth, the Bluegill, and the Perch. The Smallies from three inches to four and a half pounds. Yea it was fun. When we met up on the westside it was about the same for him. I told him about the little Bow and he said " must be coming from the creek that he hasn't put any in for a while.
We talked about all kinds of stuff and we both hooked some nice fish untill we had to work are way back in to make it on time to the meeting.....................
The OCFFC meeting we had our new fish biologist Ryan Fortier. and it looks quite hopeful for the future and a nice long relationship between him and the Club.
I shot Tom a text and ask if he was up to some bug flinging? within minutes his reply When and where be ready by 1. I needed to swing by the office, place a parts order, pick up my Buck's bag, and grab us a few brews, woof my lunch on the road.
Right at 1 I meet Tom "Lets just fish here, we only have a few hours till the OCFFC meeting".
Within minutes we're on the water he heads up the east side towards the north while I head down towards the south end we'll meet on the west side to compare notes. I did alright my first fish was a small Bow and second was a bigger Brown, Using the same Punkinhead, that was it for Trout. I started hitting the Smallmouth, the Bluegill, and the Perch. The Smallies from three inches to four and a half pounds. Yea it was fun. When we met up on the westside it was about the same for him. I told him about the little Bow and he said " must be coming from the creek that he hasn't put any in for a while.
We talked about all kinds of stuff and we both hooked some nice fish untill we had to work are way back in to make it on time to the meeting.....................
The OCFFC meeting we had our new fish biologist Ryan Fortier. and it looks quite hopeful for the future and a nice long relationship between him and the Club.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Can you guess where this is ????? WIN THE FLYS I USE
I'm going to change this up a bit. Instead of me telling you where I fishing all the time I'm going to start GIVING AWAY !!!!!! Some of my flies that I tye to the FIRST person that can tell me where I was Fishin.
At 9:30 am it's sunny and a Cool 65 and the Water temp 61. By 1:30 Sunny still Cloudless, and a Hot 86.
I put a small boat load of Bluegill in the net with my old 2 weight Bamboo rod pitchin # 16 PMDs. When the wind picked up about noon. I switched up dropped anchor put a 15ft sink tip and tyed on a water Boatman. in one of the deeper parts of the lake I let the sink tip pull my floating line down a few feet and started slow four inch strips and started hitting the Bows. If I didn't wait long enough before stripping I was sure to get another Gillie....... the Bows were all pretty much cookie cutters 14s, but I did have one that gave me and the old Bamboo abit of a fight.
It's not the longest fish but it has shoulders and was the best fish of the day.
IF YOU KNOW WHERE THIS IS COMMENT AND TELL ME !!!!! and THE FIRST COMMENT THAT IS WRIGHT I'LL SEND YOU 1/2 DZ EACH OF THE PMD and BOATMAN.
GOOD LUCK IT'S EAZY.
At 9:30 am it's sunny and a Cool 65 and the Water temp 61. By 1:30 Sunny still Cloudless, and a Hot 86.
IF YOU KNOW WHERE THIS IS COMMENT AND TELL ME !!!!! and THE FIRST COMMENT THAT IS WRIGHT I'LL SEND YOU 1/2 DZ EACH OF THE PMD and BOATMAN.
GOOD LUCK IT'S EAZY.
Friday, September 5, 2014
You know if there is a tree or bush anywhere within twenty miles of me I'm go to find it and loose a fly or two. Good thing I tye my own flies!!!!
Had another great time on the water today or yesterday. I'll be heading that way again.
Tight Lines
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Where to fish today??????
It's a pretty chilly this morning, it's down to 43 with a bit of fog. ( Lovin it Steelhead Season Soon) I haven't been to Chopaka for awhile. Maybe I load the pontoon and head that way via the Sinlahekin Valley and take a look at Big Blue Or maybe just head out to Limebelt Blue I haven't been there since late spring.
I go I go off to chase the tug drug.
I go I go off to chase the tug drug.
Monday, September 1, 2014
I'm not going to tell
I'm not going to tell you the name of this lake, Because I've gotten to many phone calls from some of the locals around here that would like to keep some of the this lake as a hidden jewel.
What I will tell you is it up just a little over 3700 ft. and just under 11 acres water temp 63 air temp at 9:30 was 58 and at 4 PM 70 cloudy at times but windy all day.
I started out using my intermittent line but soon turned to my type 6 sink line the fish were staying in the 20 to 28 foot of water and away from the shore. according to Gary's fish finder. I put on a #16 Chromimid and fished it strate down and with in no time my rod was almost pulled from my hand. A 17 inch football shaped Bow. and soon after my line was back in the water a repeat only just a bit smaller. My third fish hit so hard it broke the fly off. I retied on another and didn't get a hit for a while.
Gary was using his go to fly that he uses everywhere. ZugBug and he catches lot of fish on it. I' myself put on a #14 Solf Hackle Peacock and started kicking around I got a few hits on it but no hook ups. Scale down to a #16 and tryed again. This was working and after many fat Bows in the net by 12:30 and tired legs from kicking I dropped anchor and stayed in one spot until close to 2 only picking up a fish or two. I pulled anchor and put my back to the wind and kicked pass the landing as far as I could and let the wind blow me back with three more fish for the day. We had a awesome day.
What I will tell you is it up just a little over 3700 ft. and just under 11 acres water temp 63 air temp at 9:30 was 58 and at 4 PM 70 cloudy at times but windy all day.
I started out using my intermittent line but soon turned to my type 6 sink line the fish were staying in the 20 to 28 foot of water and away from the shore. according to Gary's fish finder. I put on a #16 Chromimid and fished it strate down and with in no time my rod was almost pulled from my hand. A 17 inch football shaped Bow. and soon after my line was back in the water a repeat only just a bit smaller. My third fish hit so hard it broke the fly off. I retied on another and didn't get a hit for a while.
Gary was using his go to fly that he uses everywhere. ZugBug and he catches lot of fish on it. I' myself put on a #14 Solf Hackle Peacock and started kicking around I got a few hits on it but no hook ups. Scale down to a #16 and tryed again. This was working and after many fat Bows in the net by 12:30 and tired legs from kicking I dropped anchor and stayed in one spot until close to 2 only picking up a fish or two. I pulled anchor and put my back to the wind and kicked pass the landing as far as I could and let the wind blow me back with three more fish for the day. We had a awesome day.
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