I put in the pontoon boat today

I spent the other day getting my pontoon together. and today I hit one of my favorite lakes. ????
The water was a crisp 39 degrees the wind was blowin at 8-10 miles per hour from the north and the hi temp. for the day 55. With a hook up about every 20 minutes the action for a mid winter lake trip Awesome, Awesome, Awesome!!! The fish Bows, Tigers, and Browns a triple header.I spent from 10am to 2pm and I think the longest wait between hook ups was maybe 30 minutes. All the fish I landed were between 18 & 22 Fat and full of fight.

 I know Bad pictures but it was the best I could do at the time  First is a 20 in. Bow and this other on is a 22"Tiger that I could of put my fist inside of his mouth and still had room to move it around. I tried lots of stuff and found the feed while I was there was #16 chironomidae black with purple ribbing. I tried some crawdads, leaches, blood worms, even a couple of wooly buggers on sink, intermediate lines, Kicking, stripping and everything in between. But anchored  worked the best with a strike indicator. casting into the wind and just striping keeping a tight line. I even let the wind blow me around  for a while. Set up 40 to 50 feet from the down wind shore with anchor but before I could get 5 cast laid out I was to close to shore even with 15 lbs. The only reason that I pulled out was I couldn't  feel my feet anymore and had a hard time getting my feet to work when I did made it to shore, and I had to peee something fierce. You know that feeling you know.

    SO FOR ME AT LEAST THINGS ARE LOOKING UP AND I CAN SEE ANOTHER GREAT LAKE SEASON FAST APPROACHING EVEN THO IT'S MORE THAT TWO AND A HALF MONTHS AWAY.      Both of the Green Lakes is Ice free.

 Some of the lowland lakes early Rocky Ford is almost a stillwater. I'll be going back there at least a couple more time, and who knows maybe I'll get in some more Steelheading, but I am not going to count on the later.
        Downloaded some pictures of my phone today so I'll add them to a few past post. 

Life is Good

With last week being so busy, its good to be back settled down. The Enloe Dam was put on hold again for another 2 weeks, the WDFW advisory meeting to combine of the two wildlife units in to one Sinlahekin and Scotch Creek  went very well. The Fly Club meeting was a hit with both Guest Speakers DFW Jason Day from enforcement and Ryan Fortier our new fish Biologist
The fly fishing show was also a good time seeing some old friends and checking out some different tying techniques.

       So this week as of yet Monday the sun was out and the river hi. 4660cfs Omak lake for a short while, at Beer Can Beach was nothing but practice casting crystal clear, calm water. I did manage to get a few fish to follow my bug a the way to shore, but no takes.
     I drove up to Hess Lake pulled out the 3 weight tyed on a #16peacock soft hackle strip out some line let it sink a short bit and half back first fish small chappie
again and again and again. (to much fun). I then put on a #12 Punkin Head with a short sink tip and did a couple small bows. By noon the shore line and the cars driving by to get out to Scotch Creek biking area was getting to me. there is not alot of places where you can get a long back cast at Hess. In the hour and a half with the sun shining bright and warm for the middle of February 55 degrees I hooked maybe 10 fish landed 2 bows both small 10-12 inchers and 10 or 12 Crappie.
When I got home there was a message for me to call my Buddy Pat.

     Pat and I met up at Hess today another stellar weather day 57 sunny and no wind till noon. Both of us catching a fish here and there but still nothing big. Green Lk. is still iced over but breaking up fast maybe by the end of the week.

    Life gets better everyday, the sunlight is longer, gets warmer, the short pants came out of winter storage, along with the flip flops and sandals, The Ice is leaving my stillwaters, starting to see more birds returning my lawn is starting to get green. Later this week I'll dig out the Buck's Bag, clean and fill the pontoons, put the frame back together, make some seat adjustments, check the anchor rope to see if its still strong.
Oh Happy Days are a coming.

 

Lots to look forward to next neek

 2/9    Monday
  PUD meeting about Enloe Dam is up for garbs again and a decision on whether to push forward or to scrap to $62M project. They have already spent more than $12M just trying to get all the permits to operate. That will cost more to run and maintain then it will generate.
When it was first brought up and talked about in 2006 the cost to REMOVE the dam was close to $24M now the cost is closer to $45-60M. and if it is just left alone for the next 100 years ?????
It will never pay for itself. I would rather have the $$$$ come out of my pockets to REMOVE it than anything else.

2/11 Wednesday
  Sinlahekin Advisory Committee meeting is at the DOT Building in Okanogan
The WDFW is in process of developing wildlife area management plan statewide. the advisory committee is expected to provide input for the development of the new Okanogan Valley  Wildlife Area Complex Management Plan,Which includes the Sinlahekin and Scotch Creek Areas. The final wildlife area plan for the Okanogan Valley Complex will be used as a template for all other management plan for the state.
As a Advisory Committee member I was asked to have a crucial part of this new statewide planning process.
My role as a member to provide public and other stakeholders' perspective in wildlife area planning and management activities. Members responsibilities include (but not limited to ):
* Review info. and discuss issues with staff and other committee members.
*Serve as spokesman for respective interested groups
*Identify Issues of concern

2/12 Thursday
Okanogan County Fly Fishing Club Meeting
The meeting is at the Grange Hall in Okanogan on Tyee St.
* 5:15ish Fly Tying don't know what yet.  Maybe some Damsels nymphs.
* 5:30ish Meet and Greet and maybe have a drink.
* 6:00ish Dinner ( Chili) always great this time of year.
* Meeting to follow:
                                                **** Two Guest Speakers******
  DFW Will have Enforcement Officer to discuss rule and regulations changes  ( clarity of some rules)
And Ryan Fortier our new Biologist will be back to tell us of some of his plans for the up-coming season. and the reports of the Steelhead season to date.
                    Some old business and some new business.

2/14 Saturday (Valentine's Day)
 Fly Fishing Show in Lynnwood WA. I'll be looking at the new Allen reels while I'm there, checking out some of the new tying innovation, and always look forward to seeing a bunch of great guy & gals that love our sport as much as I do. Seeing my friends at the Sage Booth.  
2/15 Sunday
 Fly Fishing Show  A seminar or two  and maybe some Sea-run Cutthroat fishing if the water is rite in the sound. ( and not raining like it has the last two years) i don't mind the rain but when to can see 25 feet in front of you, not for me.
Sounds busy all in the life of a Trout Bum
  FISH HARD, FISH HAPPY, FISH OFTEN, AND TIGHT LINES ALWAYS