Potholes - Walleye

We have been seeing some very nice catches of walleye coming from this central Washington reservoir. The lake is free of ice and the hard core walleye guys are fishing these pre spawn fish. Blade baits, vertically jigged have been producing well. Most of the fish that are being taken are in the 1 1/2 - 7 pound range. February can produce some of the best fishing of the year if you happen to hit thing right and the weather is cooperative. February can be a very tough time with cold weather and lots of wind. But if you hit thigs right it can be outstanding fishing. For up to date information give the Messbergs a call at MarDon's resort.

Lake Sammamish - Cutthroats

The cutthroat fishing on Lake Sammamish has been good for most of the folks that we have spoke with. The fish are averaging in the 13 - 14 inch range with the smaller fish around 10 and the largest pushing the 20 inch mark. Most of the guys have been finding them in the 10 - 15 foot range. It is a mix of techniques with some fishing off downriggers and others fishing lead core line. As far as gear goes it is all over the board, with #2 or #3 Luhr Jensen Needlefish spoons, small Tomic trout plugs and gang trolls with wedding ring spinners baited with worms or small crawlers have been doing just fine. There are many colors of Needlefish spoons, but the Rainbow Trout finish has been a color that keeps coming up time after time. This fishery should last a while longer before they start up the tributaries to spawn.

Smelt - Coronet Bay & Oak Harbor

For those of you that have been wondering about the smelt at Coronet Bay and Oak Harbor I am please to say that it is happening! Both of these popular spots are putting out these tasty little fish. This is a great thing to do with the kids on a nice winter day, to get them out of the house and get some fresh air as well as some tasty fare for the table. We have lots of Gamakasu smelt/herring jigs on hand as well as chum. Stop by and we'll be glad to give you a hand and give you some insight into fishing them.

American Lake

Had one of the customers fishing this popular Lakewood area lake this week and he managed to find a few kokanee. He said that they were small in the 9 - 10 inch range but kokanee none the less. It seems there are more than a few people with Spring Fever this year that are willing to get out and test the water. Perhaps we all have been missing a bet by not getting out a little sooner to go prospect for these popular and tasty landlocked sockeye. In fact the winter season is very productive on Lake Roosevelt for some really nice 20 inch kokanee. This fishery has been quite popular recently.

Our customer mentioned that he also caught a number of nice sized rainbows as well as some jumbo perch.

Foulweather Bluff - Blackmouth

If you are wanting to get out this weekend blackmouth fishing here in Area 9 you might just want to give Foulweather Bluff a try. We have been getting some very good reports from this area for the past week. Most of the fish have been good sized with most falling in the 7 - 15 pound range. In fact we heard that there was a really nice one of around 23 pounds landed! This has in fact been as good of blackmouth fishing as we have heard of since the area has opened. We have also been hearing of fish being caught off the Possession Bar area, Pilot Point and the Skunk Bay / Point No Point areas also.

Great Deal From Shimano

Shimano has a "Great" promotion on their Convergence - Clarus - Compre series of rods. Shimano will send you a rebate on these rods when you send in a proof of purchase and a completed rebate coupon.

$10.00 OFF Convergence Rods

$10.00 OFF on Clarus Rods

$20.00 OFF on Compre Rods

This promotion will run from February1 - May 31 2011

Stop by and we'll fill you in on the promotion.

Lone Lake - Whidbey Island

It seems the trout fishing at Lone Lake on Whidbey Island has slowed down for the fly fishermen the past couple of weeks. For some reason the "Slow Down" is fairly typical of the lake for this time of year. Why this happens no one seems to know. Though the fishing has slowed, most of the guys are still landing 6 - 8 fish in a day of fishing. Most fly fishermen are fishing small leech type patterns or chrinomids. Generally, the fishing will pick up greatly come March!

Lake Steven's Kokanee

Though winter generally isn't a time that is associated with kokanne fishing, there are in fact a few being landed up at Lake Stevens presently. The few guys that we have spoke with have been getting a few "Flat Lining" a Kokanee Dodger followed by a wedding ring with shoo-peg corn. The largest fish that we have heard of is pushing the 15 inch mark! It is not by any means "Hot" fishing but there are a few that are willing to bite. If you are looking for something to do to clean the winter cob webs off your gear this just be something to try on one of those nice winter days.

Bill Hayes Hot Plug's 25th Annual Blackmouth Derby February 19th & 20th 2011

The 25th Annual "Bill Hayes Hot Plug's" Blackmouth Derby will be held on February 19th & 20th. This is a "Great" local derby that generally puts out some fairly good results. Here's a little run down on the derby!

Rules: All weather derby. Everyone in the boat must be entered. Washington State fishing regulations apply. Not responsible for accidents or injuries.

Fishing allowed in Area 8-1 and 8-2 only.

Prizes:

1st 45% of total entry fees
2nd 20% of total entry fees
3rd 15% of total entry fees
4th 10% of total entry fees
5% of total entry fees for the heaviest blackmouth weighed in on Saturday
Two $100.00 prizes will be drawn at 5:00 for fish weighed in on Saturday. (Must be present to win.)

Any blackmouth caught on Saturday or Sunday is eligible for a prize.

All prizes to be awarded on Sunday.

Weigh in 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM sharp by MY watch at the Stanwood Eagles located at 6419 Pioneer Hwy, Stanwood. For Directions call (360) 629-3224

ENTRY FEE $60.00 PER PERSON

Entry fees may be paid at the following locations:
Stanwood Eagles
Eldger Bay Grocery
Camano Marine
Hook Line & Sinker
Holiday Sports
Johns Sporting Goods

For any additional information call Ed Keller at (425) 308-9437

Have a "Great" time!

Skykomish Steelheading - Reiter Ponds

Though most of the Puget Sound streams are closed to fishing as of this Past Monday (January 31 st) there are still some terminal fisheries that are still open through February 15 th. The upper Skykomish from the Big Eddy Access / High Bridge up to the forks at Index is still open. Though most of the hatchery fish are through there are a still few that are being caught at Reiter Ponds. We have not been hearing any "Great" reports over the past couple of days but there are still a handful of steelhead being caught every day. John was up there this AM and gave me a call from the river, he had landed a smaller hatchery fish and had a nice wild fish of around 17 pounds to hand.