Lake Chelan Area Fishing Reports - Anton Jones - Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service

   What continues hot is trolling for Lake Trout on Lake Chelan near Mill Bay early in the morning and late in the evening.  Sockeye continue to be available in the Brewster Pool, albeit up one day and down the next.  

    Lake Trout continue to bite trolled flatfish in the lower basin.  Big fish continue to show up with enough regularity to keep things exciting.  Use Worden Lures T4 or U20 Flatfish in either Luminous Chartreuse or Purple Glow near the bottom in depths of 120’ to 160’ for best success in getting these big fish to bite.  We fish them close to the bottom off 100 feet behind one pound balls, while working squid rigs off the downriggers with a 40 foot setback.  This is working best between 5AM and 10AM as well as from 6 PM until dusk.  Later in the morning and the middle of the day we hit piles of smaller fish down in the trench or over by the monument.  Troll Mack’s Lures Cha Cha Squidders or Silver Horde’s Ace Hi Flies in depths of 185 to 245 feet deep in these areas. 

    The Salmon Season in the Brewster Pool is in full swing.  For us, it has been good one day and not so good on another.  A suggested formula for Sockeye would be a big Mack’s Lures Double D Dodger.  Then add a 12” leader of 30 or 40 pound test mono back to a Mack’s Mini Cha Cha Squidder in Pink & White.  Space the hooks about 2 inches apart.  Then bait the hooks with one inch chunks of shrimp cured in Pautzke’s Fire Cure.  Fish this ensemble about 15 down to start.    

    Your fishing tip of the week is to remember to keep those setbacks short in the Brewster Pool.  That’s the best way to keep you from tangling with others in that dense fishery.  I would recommend no more than 20’ back off the downrigger ball.  Strap on a big load of patience and enjoy this delightful if somewhat crowded fishery. 

    The kid’s tip of the week is to be flexible with what your kid’s needs to get them to the next step of angling.  Some kids need just some encouragement.  Others need a couple of fingers support to keep the rod tip from pointing at the fish.  Other, usually younger children need the rod well supported while they use both hands on the reel.  Other still younger kids will turn the handle some and leave the rest to you, but, it’s still their fish!  It’s part of the art of mentoring that future fishing partner. 

    The safety tip of the week is to really take a deep breath and exercise patience when docking and trailering your boat now on Lake Chelan.  Don’t get hurt from fatigue.

Anton Jones of Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service

1-866-360-1523 or www.darrellanddads.com

Follow our daily posts on Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service Facebook Page.

Pictured:  7/26/12 - Dana Base of Colville with a 17.2 pound Lake Chelan Mackinaw. 

Also Pictured:  7/28/12 - Greg Groesbeck with an elusive and beautiful Lake Chelan Chinook.  He fished with Jeff and Diamantina Stanley and his son Chad Groesbeck.

Finally Pictured:  7/28/12 - Brent, Joshua and Alex Thiel with Colton John with their catch of Brewster Pool Sockeye.

Marine Areas 3 & 4 To Remain Open To Bottomfish

North coast bottomfish fishery
will remain open through Labor Day

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today that the recreational bottomfish fishery off the north coast of Washington will remain open through Labor Day, postponing a closure previously set for Friday (July 27).
A new regulation approved today will allow sport fishing for rockfish, lingcod, Pacific cod and other bottomfish to remain open through midnight Sept. 3 in Marine Area 3 and the western portion of Marine Area 4 off La Push and Neah Bay.
“This is good news, not only for anglers but also the coastal communities whose economies rely on these fisheries,” said Heather Reed, a WDFW fish biologist. “We know that a month of fishing means a lot to people on the north coast.”
The bottomfish season is open year-round, with the exception of lingcod which is closed during the winter month.
Reed said the previous closure date, announced earlier this week, was designed to avoid exceeding yelloweye rockfish quotas established under a federal stock-rebuilding plan. While it is illegal to retain yelloweye, federally designated as an “overfished” species, anglers sometimes intercept the species unintentionally while fishing for other bottomfish.
“Anglers took most of the quota as bycatch during the popular north coast halibut openings in May,” Reed said. “That didn’t leave us any margin for bottomfish seasons off the north coast for the rest of the year.”
Since then, however, the department has learned that the June yelloweye catch was lower than expected, and that yelloweye catch reserved for coastal research projects will be lower than originally anticipated.
“This new information gives us some flexibility to minimize the impacts to our coastal communities and allow our recreational bottomfish fishery to remain open through Labor Day,” Reed said. “We still have to close the fishery early, but not as early as we had thought.”
Reed said the department plans to look for ways to address high yelloweye harvest rates in the early season to avoid the need for early bottomfish closures in future years.
 

Baker Lake Sockeye

With almost 12,000 sockeye now in Baker Lake the fishing has become quite good.  Most of the folks that we have spoke with have had no problem in at least catching a fish or two and the ones that know the fishery have been getting limits without much trouble.  With the good fishing and what looks to be a good weekend weather wise I am sure that there will be a good number of anglers on the water this weekend.  If you are one of those make sure that you get to the lake quite early and get your boat launched before the masses!  I would not have any hesitation at launching at 4:00 - 4:30 AM and just beaching the boat on one of the beaches and taking it easy until the first light. (5:20) If you wait until latter, you might just have an hour or two to get into the water.  The best bite has been from dawn till around 9:00 AM.  Those that fish the rest of the day or evenings do manage to get a few fish but you are definitely earning each and every one!  So get there early!

Most of the fish are in the 25 -35 foot range so those without downriggers are not at a disadvantage and in fact are just as productive as those with downriggers.  Fish 3-4 ounces of lead and fish slowly keeping your line angles steep at a 30 -45 degree angle and troll at 1.1 -1.3 mph.  Watch your fish finder to locate schools and then stay with them.  Watch the others around you and see where the fish are being caught as if there is one there are more!

Don't forget to bait up your hook with a small piece of dyed pink coon stripe shrimp. 

This fishery will continue on into mid August though the fish will take on more color as the season progresses.

We have everything you need for this fishery - stop on by and we'll be glad to help you out any way we can.

Bottom Fishing Closes In Marine Areas 3 & 4 0n Thursday July 26

Recreational bottomfishing
will close off north coast

OLYMPIA – Ocean waters off the north coast of Washington will close to recreational bottomfishing after midnight Thursday (July 26) to protect yelloweye rockfish, a species federally recognized as overfished.
The closure, announced today by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), affects sport fishing for rockfish, lingcod, Pacific cod, and all other bottomfish in Marine Area 3 off La Push and the portion of Marine Area 4 west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line off Neah Bay.
Heather Reed, a WDFW fish biologist, said the closure is necessary to avoid exceeding quotas on yelloweye rockfish established under a federal stock-rebuilding plan. While it is illegal to retain yelloweye, Reed said anglers sometimes intercept the species while fishing for other bottomfish.
“Anglers took most of the quota as bycatch during the popular north coast halibut openings in May,” Reed said. “That didn’t leave us any margin for bottomfish seasons off the north coast for the rest of the year.”
Seasons for most bottomfish species are generally open year-round.
Reed noted that the early closure applies only to Marine Area 3 and the coastal portion of Marine Area 4 west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line where the federal quota and rebuilding plan are in place.
 

Chelan Area Reports - Sockeye at Brewster

 What’s hot is Sockeye Salmon fishing at the mouth of the Okanogan River at Brewster.  Also hot is the early morning “big fish” bite on Lake Chelan, just below Wapato Point.  For a change of pace, Wapato Lake is pumping out bull bluegill around a pound a piece. 

    The Sockeye are in the Upper Columbia.  And boy, are there a lot of people fishing for them!  Fish the edge of the old channel just above the depth you mark them on your sonar.  Pull big chrome dodgers with a short heavy leader back to a big Mack’s Lures Wedding Ring baited with a piece of Pautzke Fire Cured Shrimp.  You can also get some Chinook fishing Super Baits behind a rotating flasher.  Fill those Super Baits with oil based tuna and dip them in Pautzke’s Krill Juice.  Strap on your  patience as there were 345 boats on Saturday on the Columbia at the mouth of the Okanagon. 

    Lake Trout continue to bite trolled Worden Lures T4 purple glow flatfish on the Bar early in the morning on the outrigger rods.  By about nine or so look for groups of fish in the trench.  Then troll Mack’s Lures Cha Cha Squidders baited with a strip of Northern Pikeminnow through them.  Look for those groups on your sonar in depths of 175 to 245 feet deep. 

    Fish Wapato Lake near the weedline for a shot at some bull bluegill.  I saw one angler with a bucket of one pound bluegill as well as some jumbo perch.  A worm under a bobber will work here. 

    Your fishing tip of the week is to keep your set backs short when you are in that combat fishery at the mouth of the Okanogan.  Twenty feet back is plenty.  More setback will lead to tangles with other anglers.  Yes, that does have a double meaning. 

    The kid’s tip of the week is to bring their favorite snack and drink along.  It will help to keep them happy and hydrated.  This summer weather can parch them otherwise.   

    The safety tip of the week is to really keep a sharp lookout when running now.  You’ve got to have your head on a swivel.  Otherwise, you could find yourself swerving into the path of a passing boat when you are trying to miss one of the many pieces of floating woody debris out there.

7/23/12 - Pictured:  Cadin Touchette with his dad, Brett of Damascus, OR and his 17 pound Lake Chelan Mackinaw.  The fished with the Cardwells, also of Damascus, OR.

7/21/12 - Also Pictured:  Craig Adams of Pasco, Wa with his 18 pound Lake Chelan Mackinaw.  He fished with his wife Eva, Tony & Janmei Perez as well as Robert and Val Fisher. 

7/20/12 - Finally Pictured:  The Gallo's of Puyallup with their mornings catch of Brewster Pool Sockeye.

 

Baker Lake Sockeye Reports

We have  had a number of our customers up at Baker Lake fishing sockeye the past few days.  Everyone I have spoke with has caught some fish, but no limits.  Most seem to have between 1 - 4 fish per boat for a mornings effort.  At the present time there has been 6,600 fish trucked up from the Baker River Traps with many thousands more awaiting transport.  Many of the customers are reporting that they have found the fish more mid lake this season rather than the Noisy Creek section of the lake.  Watch your fish finder as well as your fellow anglers to locate the fish and try and stay with the schools of fish.   Should see some good fishing by this weekend.  We have a good supply of coon stripe shrimp to sweeten up your offerings. 

Salmon Fishing Area 9

With the opening of Marine Area 9 to the retention of hatchery king salmon this past Monday positive reports have been rolling in from a multitude of spots.  Without a doubt the number one spot has been Mid Channel bank with some outstanding fishing the past couple of days.  On Monday I spoke with one of the fish checkers and he had just got off the phone with his Port Townsend cohort and he said he had checked 37 boats as of that time with 80 Chinook!  Not a bad average with better than 2 fish per boat!  Other areas did not fair as well, but all have had respectable showings.  All of the normal spots have all been turning out fish.  Overall, I would have to say that we are seeing better fishing than what I would have thought with the preseason forecasts that we had.  The largest hatchery king that we have heard of pegged out at 35 pounds.  Most of the fish that we have seen are in the 8 - 13 pound range with a good number of upper teens and a few in the twenties.  We have some very good tides for both a good AM as well as PM fishing for the next few days.

Baker Lake Sockeye

With over 6,600 Sockeye trucked from the Baker River trap to the lake as of today it's time for you to be thinking of partaking of this outstanding fishery.  I am sure that by the weekend the count into the lake will be in excess of 10,000.  We have everything that one needs to make your trip a success.  Ted's has a full array of dodgers, hooks, smile blades, tied sockeye leaders and a good supply of dyed coon stripe shrimp.  You can stop by and we will be happy to give you the run down on this fabulous fishery. 

Skykomish King Salmon Opener

Overall today's opener on the Skykomish for kings was fairly good.  We heard of a number of kings caught throughout the open area.  The boaters did fair considerably better than the bank fisherman as they have a distinct advantage as they can cover the water better.  Most of the fish we heard of were smaller, typical hatchery kings in the 8 - 13 pound range with an occasional fish into the teens.  We heard of a number of wild (unclipped) fish in the upper teens and low twenties that were released.  There were also a good number of summer run steelhead caught by anglers fishing for salmon.

Upper Columbia King & Sockeye Salmon Reports

 Anton Jones and Jeff Witkowski sent me this report today as to what is going on in the upper Columbia River as far as what'sw happening on the King and Sockeye fisheries.  Thanks Guys!

  Due to numerous calls asking about the Upper Columbia Salmon Season I am filing this addendum. The Chinook and Sockeye are arriving in fishable numbers now!

 

    The Sockeye can be caught on Double D Dodgers trailed by Mack's Lures Mini-Cha Cha Squidders. Pink is a good color. You can bait the hooks on the Mini Cha Cha's with Pautzke Fire Cured shrimp, for better success.

 

    The Chinook are being caught on Super Baits in Hot Tamale, Hot Lava and Lemon Lime. Stuff those with oil based tuna. You can also troll a plug cut herring behind a Double D Dodger.

It is finally happening! We're expecting a run of over 400,000 Sockeye!

 

Anton Jones of Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service

1-866-360-1523 or www.darrellanddads.com

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Pictured: 7/12/12 - Guide Jeff Witkowski with a nice Upper Columbia River King

Also Pictured: 7/12/12 - Jaime Abarca of East Wenatchee with his very first Chinook Salmon!

Finally Pictured: 7/12/12 _ Jaime again with their catch of Chinook and Sockeye.

Thursday AM - 12 July - Fresh Sand Shrimp

If anyone is looking for fresh sand shrimp to fish the last weekend of Sockeye in the Skagit, the king opener on the Skykomish or summer runs on the Cowlitz or Skykomish we have just received a fresh batch.  We will try and have another batch Saturday AM.

Skykomish King Season Opens July 14

With the hatchery run of kings greater that what was anticipated the WDFW is going to open the Skykomish for retention of hatchery kings this Saturday July 14.  Here's the run down on the season and restrictions.

Action: Open retention of hatchery Chinook salmon on the Skykomish River.
Effective date: July 14 through Aug.15, 2012.
Species affected: Hatchery chinook salmon
Location: The Skykomish River from the mouth upstream to the mouth of the Wallace River.
Reason for action: Early returns to the Wallace River Hatchery indicate that the hatchery run size is stronger than forecasted and that broodstock collection goals can be met even with a Skykomish River Fishery.
Other information: Skykomish River, From the Mouth to the Lewis Street Bridge in Monroe, daily limit 2 hatchery chinook, minimum size 12 inches in length. Starting August 1, night closure and anti-snagging rules in effect. Skykomish River, From the Lewis Street Bridge in Monroe to the Wallace River, daily limit 2 hatchery chinook, minimum size 12 inches in length. Night closure and anti-snagging rules in effect. Trout and other game fish are open as listed in 2012-13 Sport Fishing Rules.
Information contact: Jennifer Whitney, District 13 Fish Biologist, (425) 775-1311. 

We have lots of fresh sand shrimp, eggs and coon stripe shrimp on hand for this fishery.  We have had lots of our steelhead fishermen catching and releasing these Chinook the past couple of weeks,  looks like this one just might be a fairly good fishery.  Will keep you posted as we hear back from the river this Saturday.

Chelan Reports Anton Jones - Darrell's & Dad's Family Guide Service

   What’s hot is trolling for Lake Trout on Lake Chelan in the trench.  For a change of pace, Grimes Lake is pumping out nice numbers of Lahontan Cutthroat trout with many over 20 inches.  The Sockeye and Chinook are on their way to the Upper Columbia.  Kokanee have been getting a lot more difficult to catch during the last reporting period.  

    Lake Trout continue to bite trolled Worden Lures T4 purple glow flatfish on the Bar early in the morning, albeit inconsistently.  Later in the morning look for groups of fish in the trench.  Then troll Mack’s Lures Cha Cha Squidders baited with a strip of Northern Pikeminnow through them.  Look for those groups on your sonar in depths of 175 to 245 feet deep.  Hit one group of fish a couple of times then go find another group to entice. 

    Fish Grimes Lake with either Chronomids or Wooly Buggers for best success.  As the surface temperature warms, you’ll have to present those flies deeper in the water column. 

    Our Upper Columbia Chinook and Sockeye are getting closer.    They aren’t arriving above Wells Dam in numbers yet, but it is starting.  Continue to keep your fingers crossed that we get a thermal barrier built up at the mouth of the Okanogan. This warmer water is needed in order to keep the Sockeye from running up the Okanogan making them available to us anglers. 

    Your fishing tip of the week is a reminder of the three most important points to be consistently successful in fishing Lake Chelan; maintain a 5’ to 10’ depth off the bottom of the lake, maintain a steady speed to match your lure, and use a scent that covers up human smells. 

    The kid’s tip of the week is to create a game with a mister or raw water wash hose by squirting small amounts of water at them. This is always fun as well as keeps them cooler during these hotter days of summer. Tuck a small spray bottle in your bag and let the kids start their own fun.   

    The safety tip of the week is to keep a close eye on the weather reports as well as a purposeful look at the horizon.  Friends this past week were caught in a sudden storm that resulted in two damaged boats. Luckily all the people involved were okay, but rightfully frightened.  It’s always best to be aware of your surroundings; boats, jet skis, people and mother nature.  Remember safety is the most important part of an enjoyable day on the water.

Anton Jones of Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service

1-866-360-1523 or www.darrellanddads.com

visit our Facebook Page for daily info

Pictured:  7/4/12:  Dean Peterson of Chelan and Steve York of Decatur, GA with their Lake Chelan double.  The big fish was 20.1 lb.

Also Pictured:  7/7/12 :  Lisa of Bellevue with a 24" Grimes Lahontan!

  

Clic

New Pilchard Spoons

Ted's has two new salmon spoons specifically painted for the offshore fisheries of western Vancouver Island and the Washington coasts where Pilchards (sardines) are a primary food source.

 

These are a large spoon 5 1/2 inches long by 1 3/4 inches wide.  Built from brass stock with high quality painted UV finishes on the front side and reflective plated chrome finish on the back.  These spoons come with a welded ring and 1/0 swivel on the top end and a welded ring on the bottom to attach the hook of your choice.  We have a limited supply of these spoons this season.  Stop by or call in your order!  (425) 743-9505.

We will also have these same spoons with a mylar front and glow in the dark finish on the back as well as the following popular color patterns. 

$7.99 each

Cookies N Cream

Irish Cream 

White Lighting Cream

     What’s hot is trolling for big Lake Trout on the Bar on Lake Chelan early in the morning. Later in the morning, the trench provides nice numbers of eating sized lakers. Kokanee on Lake Chelan are scattered and collecting more at the Narrows. We are really getting jazzed for the Upper Columbia summer salmon season.

    Lake Trout continue to bite trolled Worden Lures T4 purple glow flatfish on the Bar. This bite is best before 7AM. Fish near the bottom in depths of 120’ to 160’ for best success in getting these big fish to bite. Speeds of 1.2 to 1.5 mph are most effective. Later in the morning fish Mack’s Lures Cha Cha Squidders baited with a strip of Northern Pikeminnow in the trench in depths of 175 to 245 feet deep at 1.1 to 1.4 mph.

    This season’s nice sized Kokanee on Lake Chelan are getting even more difficult to locate. These fish are moving out of the lower Wapato basin now. Anglers should focus their efforts between Wapato Point and the Narrows during the first half of July. I expect them to be concentrated in the Narrows by the 4^th of July getting ready to begin their uplake migration to the Stehekin River and its tributaries in the latter part of July or first part of August. You can continue to chunk out fish in the traditional spots, but it’s not easy anymore.

    WDFW is predicting that large numbers of Chinook and Sockeye will be returning to our part of the world. They aren’t arriving above Wells Dam in numbers yet, but they are coming. Keep your fingers crossed that we get a thermal barrier built up at the mouth of the Okanogan.

    Your fishing tip of the week is to remember not to toss your corn into the lake when you are finished Kokanee fishing. Even though it makes a great bait on the hooks, kokanee cannot digest it or pass it. If they load up on loose corn it will kill them.

    The kid’s tip of the week is to create that game within the fishing activity to make it interesting. Then stack the deck so they can’t lose. One dad kept his kid happy and engaged the whole trip by doing $1 bets on first fish, biggest fish and smallest fish. Then he let him fight all the fish! The kid was thrilled at the prospect of the $3. That’s just an example. Be creative. Remember it is supposed to be fun.

    The safety tip of the week is also an additional kid’s tip. Really take your time when fitting small children with life jackets. It will be way easier to keep them in a life jacket that is their favorite color and doesn’t chafe…

Anton Jones of Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service

1-866-360-1523 or www.darrellanddads.com

Visit our Facebook page to see daily pictures and timely commentary

Pictured: 06-25-12 - Brothers in Laws Rafael Colon and Doyle Mears with a pair of monsters. A 19lb 10z and 20lb 3 oz Lakers. They fished with Rafael's kids, Alex (6) and Nadia (7). They are from Portland.

Also Pictured: 06-26-12 - Isaac Bestebreur (9) of Prosser, WA with his 18lb 12oz Laker. He fished with his mom, Alison and his triplet siblings, Grace and Rebekah

Jefferson Head - Coho

With July 1 came the retention of coho in Marine areas 9 & 10.  We had a number of good coho reports come from Jefferson Head yesterday with limits being the rule.  These fish are no means record breakers with the average resident coho being 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 pounds, however they are easy to catch with a variety of techniques.  A small white dodger with a yellow/white or lime green/white coho fly combination with a small strip of herring on the forward hook will be a great offering.  Fish the dodger/fly combination with a short leader (1 1/2 X length of the dodger) and troll fast enough to get it to rotate giving the fly a very erratic side to side action.  Early in the AM one can fish the surface layers down to 25 feet and expect to find fish.  Look for signs of these fish.  Look for jumpers, schools of bait fish, fish the rips etc.  Other baits that work effectively are small spoons such as coho killers or kingfishers by Silver Horde or smaller squids such as the Mini Sardines by Yamashita (distributed by Silver Horde)

These are very fine eating fish as they are still feeding on krill at the present time and just starting to transition to bait fish.  When on the krill these fish are butter fat and have bright red flesh.  They make for some fine eating when a fillet is placed on a piece of tin foil with a pat of butter, sea salt, some slices of lemon and a few rounds of Walla Walla sweet onion then throw it on the BBQ and cook it just until its not quite done.  (The residual heat in the fish will will finish it to perfection.)