What’s hot is trolling the South Shore of Lake Chelan for Mackinaw. This is a great time of the year to fish for triploid Rainbows on Rufus Woods Reservoir. Little Roses Lake has received a plant of 15,000 catchable rainbows. It should provide fast fishing until ice up.
Fish Chelan with Ace Hi Flies in Splatterback glow. Rig them with a Mack’s Lures purple Smile Blade and bait them with a chunk of pikeminnow. Also, Worden Lures U20 Flatfish in Luminous Chartreuse or Purple Glow will catch those lakers. Speeds of 1.2 to 1.5 mph will work best. Working the whole South Shore from Sunnybank to Pat & Mikes has been productive.
This is a great time to fish Rufus Woods for triploid rainbows. The numbers aren’t what they were a couple of months ago, but the average size is better. Troll smile blade flies just under the surface or cast one quarter ounce black roostertails to catch fish around the lower three net pens. If that isn’t happening, move up to the lower pens and fish green or red Pautzke’s fire bait off the bottom with a slip sinker rig. If the current is pushing good, add a Mack’s smile blade in front of the bait to attract those fat boys.
Your fishing tip of the week is about dressing to keep warm. Some of our best fishing in North Central Washington is during the winter months. It’s cold out there… You don’t have to be cold. Remember to dress in layers. Polar fleece material has replaced wool to a large extent. A base layer, a mid layer and a hoodie can take the bite out of winter. Have a bulky coat available to knock down the wind if it comes up. Use the same principle on the bottom. I use heavy wool socks and Sorels on my feet. Add those toe warmers and you’ll do fine. Don’t put those warmers on until you’re outside to prevent excess sweat and cooling. I like a balaclava on my head when it’s cold. I’ll add a stocking cap over it when it’s really cold. The feet are usually the most difficult to keep warm. If your feet sweat a lot, bring an extra pair of socks to change into.
Your kid’s tip of the week is to get out to Roses before ice up to enjoy those ‘bows.
Your safety tip of the week is to let your outboards set in the water a couple of minutes at the dock before starting them. That will allow any ice that has formed around the impeller to melt so you don’t tear that impeller apart making that water pump repair necessary.
Anton Jones of Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service
http://www.darrellanddads.com/ or 1-866-360-1523
Pictured: 12-2-11 - The old man himself with a 8lb 15 oz Rufus triploid
Also Pictured: 12-4-11 - Brian Beauleaurier of Kirkland with an 11 pound Lake Chelan Mackinaw
