Fishin' Magician: Dave Graybill

Monday, December 22nd

In a recent report I shared some information about the forecasts for some of the salmon seasons in 2015. These numbers were very encouraging and I am sure many anglers are excited about the spring and summer seasons. However, don't forget that we have some great winter fishing going on right now. There were very close to 20,000 steelhead counted over Priest Rapids Dam this fall, and fishing for them on the upper Columbia is very good. There are not only good numbers of steelhead, there are some very large fish being taken this season. Also, the Colville Tribe has released over 99,000 triploid rainbow into Rufus Woods Reservoir this past year, with a release of over 20,000 made in late October. The fish range from a pound to close to 2 pounds, and the opportunity to take even larger fish is good, too. The number of triploid rainbow released into Lake Roosevelt each year is over 750,000, and my experience is that most of these trout run from 14 to 22 inches. Rufus Woods and Lake Roosevelt produce some of the best eating trout found anywhere. No reason to wait for spring for great fishing. There is plenty to do out there right now!

Wednesday, December 24th

I managed to pick a day to go steelhead fishing when it wasn't raining or snowing, but it did turn out to be tough fishing. I traveled to Pateros, with Rollie Schmitten, Brian Anatatmula and Tom Merrill. I started at the bridges and but soon ran down river to the point across from the Rocks. I was pumped as I was going to be the first one to fish this productive spot that morning. However, it disappointed me. We bounced back and forth from the Rocks to this point a couple of times, and I decided to change things up. I had everyone tie on Keith Roe Raven Jigs. We were using larger jigs and now were going to be using just 1/16th-ounce jigs in blue and chartreuse and black and white. On the next drift through the Rocks Tom hooked a wild fish that we released. On the next pass Rollie got another wild fish. Then Tom got hooked a third wild fish. By then it was time to go, but boy, I learned a lesson. I am going to switch to smaller jigs a lot soon next time. In fact I may just start with them.

Friday, December 26th

This is the time of the year when many anglers dedicate their time to shore fishing at Rufus Woods Reservoir and Lake Roosevelt. There are several good bank fishing spots just above Chief Joseph Dam at Bridgeport, and near the upper net pens. At Lake Roosevelt I have had good success fishing from the bank toward the dam from the swimming area at Spring Canyon Park, which is just two miles from the town of Grand Coulee. Whether I am fishing at Rufus Woods or at Lake Roosevelt I use the same method when casting from shore. I am using 10-pound test line on my spinning reel on an 8 ? foot rod. I put a one-ounce sinker on my line, then a barrel swivel. Next, a size 2 hook is tied on a 4-foot, fluorocarbon leader of 10-pound test. To the hook I slide on a medium-sized marshmallow, too keep my bait well off the bottom, and add a single, jarred cook stripe shrimp, without the head. Give your shrimp a good dose of scent, too. Then I cast this out to where I think the water is at least 10 feet deep. Place the rod in a holder and get ready for action! This rig has produced some great fish for me at both Rufus Woods and Lake Roosevelt.