Fishin' Magician
Friday, Feb. 25
If you would like to go steelhead fishing some time soon, I
would put the Methow low on the list of choices. Very cold weather
will most likely freeze the river again this season, and it will
take a few warm days to allow anglers access to the water.
Friday, Feb. 25
If you would like to go steelhead fishing some time soon, I would put the Methow low on the list of choices. Very cold weather will most likely freeze the river again this season, and it will take a few warm days to allow anglers access to the water. The upper Columbia, near Pateros would be a good option. Many of the steelhead in the lower river will move out into the warmer and ice-free water here. The area below Pateros known as the Rocks could really light up again when the steelhead flee the lower river. This has been a very consistent producer of fish in the earlier season. I have had good reports on the Wenatchee, and with its flows it will take more that a couple of days of cold weather to freeze over. The month of March could be a terrific time to be on the Methow and Wenatchee. Last year the late-season fishing for steelhead on both of these rivers was outstanding. I continue to keep an eye on the Okanogan and it looks like it will be very late February or early March before it will be ice free and fishable. I am very eager to fish this one again.
Monday, Feb. 28
Well, it's just a few days away now. The big Trout Derby at Burke and Quincy lakes, hosted by Quincy Valley Tourism. I talked to some one that always fishes here on the first weekend in March, and when his fishing buddy mentioned that there would be a huge crowd down there this year, he said, "Great. The more the merrier!" It will be a big fishing party, that's for sure. I want to remind everyone that although it looks good for open water on Saturday, March 5th, the day of the Trout Derby, if the lakes are more than 50 percent frozen, it will be postponed until April 2nd. Keep your fingers crossed. I hope to hear from the organizers just prior to the event, and I will try to get the word out if there is a reason to postpone. Otherwise, plan on being there for some great fishing, lots of prizes and other fun provided by Quincy Valley Tourism, and maybe some big money won by anglers catching the tagged trout-with a total value of $5,000! I will be there on Saturday, no matter what. Some other options for anglers between now and then would be the great trout fishing at Lake Roosevelt. Very fat rainbow and some really big kokanee continue to be caught up there. There are lots of rainbow and a few whoppers being pulled from Rufus Woods now, too.