Methow/Columbia Steelhead, Last weekend of October?

Matt-     There's more than one way to skin a cat.    Happy reading... http://www.google.com/search?q=lake+trout+spawning+behavior&client=netscape-pp&rls=com.netscape:en-US
They need clean, non-silty rocky areas, for successful spawn, which occurs primarily at night. Find the congregations, probably along the slde areas on the S. shore, or the Manson humps.  Still a fishfinder show...

Alta Lake State Park closes Nov.1- Mar.18... http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Alta%20Lake

Polepole-     In past years, the Columbia has been open with state wide general rules, while the the Methow and Okanogan are opened under special regs...In other words, bait is okay in the Columbia,  , but not the tribs... https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=348

Wayne-    I know EXACTLY where that is; I was there last weekend. The hole above the old cable bridge is one of my favorites.
Have you ever stayed at Lightening Pines? If so, what did you think of the place and the services?

I have never stayed there, but I'm considering it if I go over this year...

I have heard that burbot (fresh water ling) move into shallow water and the area closer to town, Chelan, is a good spot. But that lake is so big there are a few other spots I might try as well. They are kind of a funky fish to catch. They are more like a cat fish/eel then a ling

What date are we talking about now?

-Allen

No set date, I suppose it would be best to run a poll, on what weekend would work for people. Considering that Alta Lake State Park closes on Nov. 1, the last weekend of Oct. might make the most sense. (Oct. 28-29) Would that work for everyone else?

When's the best fishing time?  How long does the weather hold before it makes camping uncomfortable.  I'm pretty open in that time period so can be flexible. 

-Allen

Last weekend of Oct works for me, although I think Matt has stated he can't make that weekend and the first weekend in Nov. I can also make Nov 11 weekend.

Make the call Pisco and I'm there.

-Allen

Last weekend of October is good for me.

Pete

The last weekend of October works for me, and is the last weekend that Alta State Park is open. Matt is close enough to make a day trip up here; everyone else would probably be more comfortable with an overnighter.

Allen,to answer your questions, Halloween is about as late as I would want to camp. It can get below 0(F), later in November. I've snow camped when it's -20F, but it's not as much of a thrill as it was when I was younger.

The fishing actually gets better and better through the winter, until the rivers start freezing up. W usually get at least 1 stretch of weather where it gets below 0F. Sometimes it doesn't get above freezing for a month, or so. It's tought to plan on fishing in the mid-winter. We just have to wait til things warm enough for a little thaw, and then go for it.When it starts warming up in the late winter/early spring, the fishing really picks up, again, until it's closed; mid/end of March.

OK then.  There you have it.  Oct 28-29.  I put a link in the calendar to this event.

-Allen

Anyboday heard any whispers on whether they'll open the Methow?  I'm still planning on being over there (somewhere!) the last weekend in October.

-Allen

I haven't heard anything definitive. I did receive an email from another guide,

I just got off the phone with Bob Leland and Joe Gibbons of Fish and Wild Life and here’s

the latest regarding a STEEHEAD OPENING ….

 

There looks to be around 400 Native and 5000-7000 Hatchery Steelhead returning this year.

The numbers of native Steelhead are currently too low for current federal mandates; therefore, both Fish and Wild Life and
NOAA have been working on a plausible solution for this year’s season. 

 

The word I received is “we are not trying to move a boulder up Everest” and Fish and Wild Life, feels optimistic that both
WDFW and NOAA will favorably negotiate a 2006-7 Steelhead season.  However, there are a lot of considerations with all
who constitute interest in the Steelhead fishery. This negotiation process is very delicate and takes time and lots of hard
work.

Some of the other considerations are: low water levels and large numbers of salmon currently spawning.

I've been checking the WDFW site nearly every day. We're just going to have to be patient. Worst case is targetting big spawning lakers in Chelan. In any case, I've got that weekend free for fishing! 

Or how about Rufus?

-Allen

I know less about Rufus, than I do about Chelan. I understand that the best fishing areas are a long run from non-tribal launches, though people sometimes do okay from shore, just upstream of the dam. (Tribal day fish license is ~$8.00.) The other big-fish lake in the area is Omak (Lahontans), also on the rez. I've flyfished it from shore, successfully, mostly in early spring.

Here's some reports from Anton Jones-

  Lake Chelan:
   

October 10th Report

Fishing has been very good in the lower basin of Lake Chelan during the reporting period. We have been pounding the bottom in depths of 215' to 250' with U-20 luminous chartreuse flatfish at about 1.5 mph. The key is keeping the lure within 5 feet of the bottom without picking up debris. We have also been picking up a few fish early and late around the 130' to 150' contour. Additionally, some suspended fish have been biting a U-20 purple glow flatfish. We have been fishing suspended by setting the flatfish back 50 feet, attaching a 12 ounce "snap weight" then letting out up to 500' of line. This works the lure between 150' and 200' deep. Most fish have been from 2 to 5 pounds.

Rufus Woods Reservoir

The Fall/Winter fishery at Rufus is picking up steam. There are lots of Spokane strain rainbows of 12" to 16" mixed in with some triploids. The jumbo Kokanee should be starting to bite soon. Fish Mack Lure's Flash Lites or Hot Wings trailed by an orange glow Cha Cha Squidder with a worm threaded on the hooks. As the kokanee begin to bite, add some scented white shoepeg corn to the hooks.

Fish from the surface to 30' feet deep. Our recent fish have been caught from 10' to 25' deep. We fish right above Chief Joseph Dam. Maintain a troll that will keep you just off the barrels. This takes constant monitoring because the current is strong and variable.

If this approach doesn't work for you, try working the shoreline points and other visible structure by casting 1/3 ounce Roostertails and using a stop and go retrieve. The takes in the shallow water can be very exciting.

Pictured above on 10-5-06, Anton Jones of Manson with a typical Rufus Woods triploid of 4 lbs 2 oz

Pictured above on 10-7-06, Brothers Clair (John of Selah and Steve of Gig Harbor) with 9 of their 11 Lake Chelan lower basin fish.

For more info call Anton Jones of Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service; darrellanddads.com; [email protected] or call (509)687-0709 or toll free at (866)360-1623