Beaver Lake Trout Plant

Beaver Lake near Issaquah will be receiving 2,300 hatchery rainbow trout in the 2 -3 pound range on November 8th. The launch area will be closed on November 7th at sunset to facilitate the plant on the 8th and will reopen at sunrise on the 9th. Make sure to read your regulation pamphlet before going fihing as the lake has some special regulations. Remember, out of your trout limit only 2 can exceed 15 inches. Bait anglers must keep the first 5 caught.

This will be a "Great" opportunity to take the kids out!

Coastal Coho

With the rains letting up and the rivers dropping back into shape there should be some very good coho fishing to be had on the coastal streams over the next week or so. The upper Peninsula streams of the Sol Duc, Bogachiel, Calawah and Quillayute Rivers should all put out good fishing in the next few days. The Humptulips, Chehalis and Satsop would be good choices for those wanting to fish the Grays Harbor streams. Fishing spinners with hoochie skirts will be quite productive as the rivers drop. Twitching hoochie skirt jigs or those tied out of marabou will account for their fair share of fish. Don't forget to bring some good eggs either.

Here's a nice Sol Duc Coho from this past week caught by Kim Stowe.

Lake Samamish Cutthroat

We have been getting some fairly good cutthroat reports out of Lake Samamish this month. Most of the guys that we have spoke with have been getting fish in the 13 - 18 inch range. The most common technique has been trolling on the downriggers at around 25 feet and gang trolls followed by a wedding ring type offering baited with worms or crawlers have been accounting for the catches. Some of the guys have also been trolling Luhr Jensen Needlefish spoons. This fishery should be good for some time to come and the late fall and winter months generally produce well.

Lake Chelan Lakers

Anton Jones of Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service sent me these recent photos of some really nice lake trout catches from Lake Chelan. Pictured are Gayle and Lois Dobish of Bellevue with a nice mornings catch of lakers and a "Bonus" Chinook thrown in for good measure. These were caught on October 19. The other photo is of Joe Jansen of Walla Walla and Larry Busse of Spokane with another nice stringer of lakes with the largest weighing out at 15lbs 2ozs. This nice mess of fish were caught on October 21.

Anton mentioned that Silver Horde Gold Star King Fisher Light spoons in uv and glow colors have been very productive as well as Rushin' Salmon Wobblers in purple glow. Yakima Baits Flatfish in sizes F-7 to T-4 also in purple glow colors.

Anton has a "Great" special for the winter season when a group of three or more come over and fish on either Chelan, Rufus Woods or the Upper Columbia for $150.00 / person plus tax. He also has some other great packages. Stop by and we'll give you a had out.

Give him a call at 1-866-360-1523 or (509) 961-5342 or email Antonj@aol.com .

Winter Crabbing Seasons

We will be getting a winter crab season! Overall, its better than we thought! Here's the run down on what is going to occur!

Marine Areas 4 & 5 - Currently open through January 2, 2011

Marine Area 6 - Reopening 8:00 a.m. November 15 2010 through January 2 2011, seven days a week.

Marine Area 7 - Remains closed.

Marine Area 8-1 & 8-2 - Remains closed.

Marine Area 9 - Reopening 8:00 a.m. November 15 2010 through January 2 2011, seven days a week.

Marine Area 10 - Reopening 8:00 a.m. November 15 2010 through January 2 2011, seven days a week.

Marine Area 11 - Remains closed.

Marine Area 12 - Reopening 8:00 a.m. November 15 through January 2 2011, seven days a week.

Marine Area 13 - Currently open through January 2011.

This is about what I had thought would happen. Didn't think we would have a chance at more time in Areas 7, 8-1 & 8-2. These areas are just way to popular and fished hard.

We have "Lots" of crabbing gear on hand. Crab Pots, Crab Rings, Castable Crab Catchers for the shore bound crabber, leaded line, poly line, bait containers, crab gauges, bait and licences.

Don't forget to get your "Winter" crab catch record card!

Hanford Reach Kings

Jeff Witkowski sent me an email yesterday to fill me in n the Hanford Reach Chinook fishery. Overall. the fishery has been a little on the spotty side. Jeff mentioned that he would be skunked for 2 or 3 days and then have a day where they would land four or five. I have heard this not only from Jeff but a number of other customers that fish this fishery. Anyway this fishery should continue for the next couple of weeks. Here's a picture of a nice 25 pound fish that Jeff attached with his email.

If you would like to fish this fishery you can contact Jeff below.

Jeff Witkowski

Big Dog Fishing Guide Service

(509) 860-7345

Dry Falls Lake - Trout Fishing

We have had some really good reports coming out of this Grant County quality lake with many fishermen catching double digit numbers of fish in a day. There are two different classes of fish. A great number of 6 -8 inch fish that are this years plants and another that are running 14 - 18 inches. Rainbows are the most numerous species, though this lake does have some really nice browns that can push the 20 inch mark. The fly fishermen are fishing a variety of fly patterns with leech and chironomid patterns being the most fished. Don't forget a few dragonfly nymph patterns as well as some scuds. The fish are on the Fall feed and putting on some weight to hold them through the winter. Being a selective fishery the lake is also open to those that want to use lures with a single barbless hook. Dark and neutral colored Yakima Bait Flatfish in a size F-3 or F-4 or Luhr Jensen Hot Shots in a 70 size rerigged with a single barbless siwash hook will do the trick quite nicely. Small spoons such as Dick Nites, Super Dupers or Needlefish will work well. Though most people practice Catch and Release you can retain a single fish if you desire to do such. There is still a good amount of time to fish this lake as it is open through November. One can also fish Lake Lenore on the same trip for some of the large cutthroat that call this lake home.

Cornet Bay - Smelt Fishing

Smelt fishing at Cornet Bay has been "Fair", and anglers are catching enough for a meal of nice sized 6 - 7 inch smelt. While the fishing has not been "Red Hot", at least there are some fish to be caught. This fishery generally gets better later in the fall and winter. This is a "Great" fishery for the family on a nice fall day, that requires a minimum of tackle and equipment. Stop by and we'll be glad to give you instructions and directions.

Edmonds - Squidding

There has recently been some "Fair" squidding off the Edmond's dock in the evenings. The squidding has been best on the last couple of hours of the incoming tide through the high slack. The Squid have been medium sized in the 5 - 7 inch range. Most anglers that I have spoke with have been getting 15 - 20 in a couple of hours of fishing. The squidding has been a little on the off and on situation, with not every night producing.

We do have "Lots" of squid jigs on hand as well as a good selection of squid jig making components.

Skip Morris Presentation - October 23, 9:00am - 3:30pm

Here's a unique opportunity for any of you fly fisherman to attend a "great" presentation put on by Skip Morris in conjunction with the Whidbey Island Fly Fishing Club. Skip is a down to earth author of twelve fly fishing books, hundreds of magazine articles, nationally recognized fly fisherman and fly tier will cover topics and demonstrate tying for:

Fishing the Surface of a Trout Lake
Fishing the Depths of a Trout Lake
Trout Lake Fly Tying Demonstrations
Big Flies for Trout
Salt Water Fishing for Salmon and Searun Cutthroat
Salmon and Searun Cutthroat Fly Tying Demonstration

Cost is $30.00 prepaid admission or $35.00 at the door.

Fee paid through Pay Pal at www.whidbeyislandflyfishingclub.com or by mailing a check to WIFC at PO Box 810, Coupville, WA 98239.

Admission fee includes presentation, lunch and beverage.

This will be a good way to spend the day and perhaps you might just learn a thing or two.

Hanford Reach Kings

As I have said earlier Hanford Reach has been really putting out the kings this season. Here's a picture that Jeff Witkowski emailed to me this afternoon of Wes Gano with a 30.4 pound king caught on a Brad's Super Bait Plug Cut (which has been the "HOT" bait of choice in this fishery). Jeff mentioned that in addition to the fish in the picture they also landed a 21.12, 17.6 a jack and a 4 pound wild steelhead. As far a colors on the Super Baits Mountain Dew and Lemon Lime have been the producers.

If you would like to sample this outstanding fishery you can contact Jeff with the information below.

Big Dog Fishing Guide Service
Jeff Witkowski
PO Box 1904
Chelan, WA 98816
(509) 860-7345
jeffwitkowski@yahoo.com

October is Here

Though many are putting up their gear for the fall and winter there is still lots to fish for this month. There are some outstanding opportunities for some great king salmon fishing in the Grays Harbor and Olympic Peninsula areas, both in the salt as well as the rivers. You can see by the photo of Kris Olsen with a couple of really nice fall king salmon taken last weekend on one of the OP streams. Not only can you fish them there but you have a "Great" fishing opportunity in the Hanford Reach section of the Columbia. I spoke with a customer this AM that was there yesterday an had a banner day with 7 kings brought to the boat. Though these may not be as prime as the coastal fish they still pull really hard. We have not seen a stellar coho season here in our area of Puget Sound but there will still be good numbers of coho coming though the area for the next month. If you happen to be in the right spot and they are willing to take your offering you might just be rewarded by some really nice silvers. The north Sound Rivers of the Skagit, Stillagumish and Snohomish systems will all be putting out coho through the month. Trout fishing in the local lakes will be good for those that are willing to put in a little bit of time. With the cooler weather they will be going on the fall feed to put on some extra weight for the winter. Lake Goodwin and Lake Washington will be good choices not only this month but through the winter. Fly fishermen will find Pass Lake a good choice for both browns and rainbows up to 25 inches and Lone Lake on Whidbey Island will be a good choice for rainbows. Don't forget there are a few opportunities for digging some tasty razor clams on our coastal beaches.

This is just a few things that you might pencil in on your fishing calender for October.