The Fishin' Magician: Where the wild fish are

No one knows exactly why but the fishing for trout and kokanee hasn't been anything close to what it usually is this time of year on Lake Roosevelt. Anglers fishing out of Spring Canyon are either getting a few fish or getting blanked. Even Rufus Woods has been hot and cold. It seems that anglers fishing during the week, when there is more current, are doing better, but it still can be inconsistent.

Once again, one of the better trout fisheries in the region this time of year is at Banks Lake. Few people take advantage of it, but the early spring fishing for rainbow can be very good. Anglers pulling Flatfish or Rapalas can get limits in the north basin right now in pretty short order. Another good method is to pull a large, black Wooly Bugger fly. Anglers may want to try using a Wiggle Fin ahead of it, Rufus Woods style.

The rainbow are worth the effort, too. Most range from 15 to 19 inches, with a few in the over 20-inch class mixed in the catches. Most of lower Banks Lake is still frozen over, but the Northrup launch is open now. Most anglers are still using the Coulee Playland launch at Electric City.