New Fishing Regulations Have Arrived

For all of you anglers that have been waiting for the arrival of the "New" fishing regulations for May 1, 2009 - April 30 2010, we are happy to say that they have arrived! Drop by for the "New" regulation booklet! In briefly looking through a copy we have found that there will be a number of changes, many of which will be a pleasant surprise!

Halibut - Mutiny Bay - Admiralty Inlet

Have had a few of the halibut boys in the shop this afternoon. Mark Rabel was once again successful in Mutiny Bay ending up with a nice 55 - 60 pound fish. Was a little slower today than yesterday and he said he saw only a couple of other fish landed amongst the 30 or so boats that were fishing the area.

The Admiralty fishermen had a few fish in the bombing range area though it sounded like it was a little slower than the Mutiny area the last couple of days.

The reports that we have had from the Straits have been a little mixed with some connecting with their fish on the various banks in the Straits.

Tides are really rocking with the minus tides so plenty of lead and backtrolling into the current has been the rule.

Halibut Fishing - Mutiny Bay

Reports have been quite good out of Mutiny today, we have had a number of customers who caught their fish in this close to home spot. The largest that we have heard of was about 80 pounds. Most of the fish were from the high teens into the low 30's. Didn't seem that dogfish were a problem with most fishermen, so bait seemed to be the ticket. Straight herring or herring spiced up with a piece of squid were the baits of choice. Water was flat this morning, but kicked up this afternoon. With the tides the way they were today most had to do a little backtrolling to slow down the drift. Most everyone had to fish 20 oz cannonballs to keep their gear down.

We are going into a minus tide sequence for awhile so the drifts will be fast and hard to hold bottom. The amount of ideal bottom time will be short. Weather for tomorrow looks like it could be a little brisk. At this time of year one really does not know what we are going to get until you are out there.

We have lots of large herring, octopus and squid if you are having a hard time finding bait.

Halibut Reports - Opening Day

Well! The halibut season is just barely underway in Puget Sound and the Straits and the reports are coming in. Talked with Mark Rabel just a moment ago and he had just boated a nice 30 pound flatie out of Mutiny Bay. The fish took a herring bait topped with a piece of squid. Mark mentioned that there were around 40 boats fishing this popular close in spot and that he had seen at least a few more fish boated by other anglers. I am sure we will get more reports in later and will post them as we hear them.

Sauk River - Darrington

The Sauk is in its final 10 days of the season. This renown C & R fishery has been less than stellar this season but has put out a few fish recently to persistent anglers. Though everyone has been working diligently for a fish or two they have been rewarded by some really fine fish. There has been a number of nice fish in the teens and an odd fish into the low twenties. The past couple of days of warm weather has however punched the water out of shape for the time being. With the cooling trend coming up it might in fact come back in shape before the river closes on the 30 Th.

Lone Lake - Whidbey Island

Lone Lake continues to produce some good fishing. For the fly angler, chrinomids and blood worms seem to be doing the job quite nicely. Fished from an anchored boat with a strike indicator and fished approximately 12 - 18 inches off the bottom. The fish have been anywhere from about 10 - 18 inches. One of the customers fishing the lake yesterday said that the lake had turned over and there was lots of crap in the water. Though most individuals fly fish this water it is in fact a selective fishery water which does allow you to fish artificial lures with barbless single hooks. You might try F - 3 or F - 4 Flatfish in darker colors such as Frog, Perch Scale or Black with Orange Dots. Small Hot Shots will also work well in the darker colors.

Cathlamet - Columbia River

Well! The Columbia River Spring Chinook fishery is winding down big time, as it is Wednesday is going to be the end. If you are going to fish then you had better get with it. The reports from the Cathlamet area was not too bad over the weekend and most anglers we talked with all had some fish. Most all were fishing green sized plug cut herring, some in conjunction with an in-line flasher (Fish Flash or Kone Zone) in green or chartreuse colors. There did seem to be a number of smaller jack Chinook in the catches this weekend. Most of the jacks were in the 22 inch range and the adults were 8 - 25 pounds.

Green Lake - Seattle

Wanting to find some good trout fishing in an urban environment? Try Green Lake in North Seattle. This metropolitan lake has been turning out some good trout fishing for anglers still fishing from the bank or off of the docks that allow fishing from them. The trout have been averaging 11 - 12 inches with an odd fish to 18. The anglers that I have talked with have been doing best still fishing with Berkley Gulp in Chartreuse or Fluorescent Yellow. This is a "Great" place to take the kids and family as if the kids get bored fishing they can play in the park or you can take them for an ice cream, hot dog or go eat lunch at one of the many restaurants in the area. If you feel really enthusiastic you can take them to the zoo later in the afternoon.

Lake Goodwin - Snohomish County

Lake Goodwin is starting to turn out some decent trout fishing. I have had a number of good reports over the past couple of days and the fishing sounds as if it's not too bad! Fish have been averaging 10 - 12 inches with some really nice hold over fish in the 17 -18 inch range. It has been everything from soup to nuts as far as technique. Still fishermen have been doing well utilizing Power Bait & Gulp products as well as marshmallow and eggs or worms. Trollers have been pulling gang trolls with wedding ring / worm combos or just plain worms. This lake will hold up well due to its size and with the general lowland lake opener coming up this next Saturday the choices anglers will have will spread everyone near and far.

Blackmouth - Last Day For Area 9

April 15th besides being tax day is also the last day for fishing Area 9. Though fishing hasn't been stellar for those fishing the last few weeks, there has been an occasional angler that has put things together. Talking with one of the customers this afternoon he had 3 nice blackmouth last Friday (Two Hatchery and One Wild) that were all in the 10 pound range. Hot Spot and Red Racer Coyote Spoons were the ticket to his success. There has been the odd Spring Chinook landed this past week. Most of them being in the 10 - 16 pound range. Though salmon will be closing tomorrow we have Halibut opening on April 23 , Ling Cod on May 1 and Shrimp on May 2nd. Lots to do coming up!

King Salmon - Homer, Alaska

Well, we're starting to get some Alaska salmon reports. Bruce Lozeker of Memory Maker Charters in Homer e-mailed me this morning saying that they had 6 nice white kings in the 15 - 30 pound class yesterday. Though, many don't think of salmon fishing at this time of year it can be in fact some of the best fishing of the year. The fish that you are getting now are the primest kings that one can get and are the best eating of the season. These feeder kings are butter fat and not yet maturing sexually. Though the weather might be inclement at times there are still a good number of days that one can get out

If you are looking for some early season fishing you might just want to contact Bruce at (907) 235-2165 or his cell (907) 299-3162

Roses Lake - Chelan

Had a "Fantastic" trout report from Jeff Witkowski - Big Dog Fishing from Roses Lake. Jeff said the trout fishing for 10 - 12 inch rainbows has been better than good. There are enough fish to 20 inches to make the fishing interesting. Jeff has had the best results trolling flies (leeches and wooley buggers) and conventional gear with 1/8 oz. black Roostertails, F-3 Frog Flatfish and small rainbow and perch colored Rapalas. Fishing has been so good that he has been averaging 10 fish to hand per hour of fishing with just two anglers fishing.

If you would like to book a trip contact Jeff at (509) 860-7345

Spring Chinook - Cathlamet, Columbia River

Had "Good" reports from a couple of our customers this AM fishing Clifton Channel out of Cathlamet. Both had their fish in short order, fishing medium lime green "Fish Flashes"with a trailing "Green" sized plug cut herring. If you are planning to participate in this fishery you had better not wait much longer as there is not much time left!

They got to the ramp a little late this morning and said there were a number of anglers cleaning fish that they had already landed earlier this morning.

Lake Lenice - Grant County

Tom Thorsvig, one of our die hard fly fishing anglers was in this afternoon just coming back from spending the last few days fishing this popular selective fishery lake. He said that the fishing was very good for him and his partner, averaging around 20 or more fish a day per rod. Smallish chrinomids were the ticket to their success. Tom said that besides chrinomids, small damsel fly nymphs were also present in the stomach samplings of fish that they pumped. Other anglers found good results in fishing leech patterns. Weather was all over the place while they were there, very typical of the Basin fishing at this time of the year.

Flowing Lake - Snohomish County

Flowing Lake has been putting out good numbers of catchable sized trout for those that are still fishing off the public dock in the county park. One of the customers said he saw at least 50 caught during the time he was there this AM. Most everyone was still fishing with a slip sinker / Power Bait, Power Egg, Gulp, marshmallow & worm or marshmallow & egg combination. This lake was recently planted and should hold up for at least a period of time. So if you are looking for a place to wet a line this weekend this would be a good bet.

Springers - Area 9

Though the season is winding down for area 9 (15th April is last day) there have been a few springers caught this week off of Possession Bar. We heard of o couple of fish in the 14 -16 pound range. Though these are just a few of the very early returning fish, it does give one a chance to catch some of these prime early returning fish that are really prime eating. So if you do have a little time this weekend it might not be a bad idea to sneak out and give it a try.

Burke Lake - Quincy

Had one of the customers come in this AM, he had fished Burke lake yesterday and though he didn't limit out he and his buddy did manage to catch four nice rainbows in the 14 - 16 inch range. Though not hot fishing at least they caught some decent fish.

Fish Lake- Still Frozen

Fish lake is still frozen for those of you that might want to head over Stevens Pass for a little trout fishing at this popular year around lake. While the lake is frozen it is not good enough to provide safe ice fishing. Might be a couple of weeks before the lake is free of ice. Give Scott a call at the Cove Resort for information.

Blackmouth Fishing - Areas 8-1, 8-2 & 9

Blackmouth fishing has slowed considerably over the last few weeks. There are still a few feeder blackmouth around, but they have been few and far between. There has been an odd Spring Chinook that has been caught that are early returns heading either to the Cascade on the Skagit system or to the Wallace on the Snohomish system. Though not numerous there is always a chance of lucking into one of these fish before the areas close. Areas 8-1 and 8-2 are open through the 30th of the month and area 9 open through the 15th. Those fishing the upper end of 8-1 might be pleasantly surprised in the upcoming weeks.

Lone Lake - Whidbey Island

Lone Lake has really turned on for the fly fishermen utilizing Chrinomid patterns. We have had a number of anglers in the last couple of days and everyone has been very happy with the results that they have had. The WDFW recently planted the lake with a number of smaller rainbow in the 9 - 11 in range. However the bulk of the fish that are being taken are in the 13 - 18 inch range. The hatches have been coming off with the warmer weather that we have been having and the number of swallows and night hawks working over the water are a good indication of these hatches occurring. This fishery is just starting to get "Really Good" and should only get better as time goes by.

Columbia River - Springers

Well. sounds as if it is really starting to happen. We have had a number of "Good" reports from various sections of the Columbia this past couple of days with good catch reports. One of our customers called around three this afternoon just after getting off the river with outstanding results. Frank fished with a guide and three other anglers and had 7 to hand today! They also had a few LLR's with a few other hook up's.
Five of the fish were wild and had to be released, with the largest around 40 pounds. Two of the fish were hatchery and the anglers were able to take them home for the BBQ. Frank unfortunately had 3 wild fish, but was very happy with the results though he will be eating hamburger tonight! Green fish flashes were the ticket with a plug cut herring trailing behind. They were fishing the Railroad Bridge to I5 st reach. Frank said he saw lots of other boats with fish on around them.

Good reports also came from the Cathlamet and 205 to Sandy stretches also.

I think he your wanting to give this fishery a try, the time is prime! I don't think I would put it off any longer!
Good Luck
Mike

Blackmouth - Port Angeles

Talked with Brian of Bucks Tackle in PA this morning and he mentioned how good the blackmuth fishing has been in the area. Freshwater Bay has been the real producer recently with lots of nice fish in the teens being caught. The Ediz Hook area and the humps to the west have also been producing well. Most anglers are fishing downriggers with flasher and squid combinations, Hot Spots in Silver Fever pattern followed by an Gold Star Golden Bait Hoochie in OAL12R (Purple Haze), OMW140 (Swede's Awesome) and OMW142 (Green Hornet) colors have been the ticket. Old fashioned mooching has also been producing fish for those that prefer the old traditional methods. This area will remain open through April 10.

Blackman's Lake - Snohomish County

Trout fishing at Blackman's Lake has been quite good recently, thanks to the stocking effort of the Snohomish County Sportsman's Club. One customer fishing yesterday caught and released 20 plus of them fly fishing utilizing blood worms and chrinomid patterns. Black Chrinomids were the color of choice. This would be a good choice for a little trout action if you have been wanting to wet a line. For the bait fishermen, still fishing with Power Bait, Gulp, marshmallow and eggs or worms fished with a slip sinker would be a good choice.