WA Crew KAFF Gameplan

I don't know diddly about that lake, other than I think it has burbot. 

Me nether, other than a recent article in STS which has some great tips and tricks.  But I like the idea of learning a new lake.

I need to plan some weekends with the girlfriend involved, otherwise I will go way negative on the GAF this summer.  I thought this might be a nice "family" event.

My thought was that Zee and I would go up early Saturday to fish and let our sig others sleep in and drive up later in the day (which also allows us to fish hard in the morning without worrying about them).  What do you think, Zee?  I didn't think she'd go for a 4 hour drive to Chelan, but I do think she'll go for a couple hour drive to Cle Elum.

-Allen

Here's the WashingtonLakes.com reports- http://www.washingtonlakes.com/ReportList.aspx?id=522

I need to plan some weekends with the girlfriend involved, otherwise I will go way negative on the GAF this summer.  I thought this might be a nice "family" event.

No doubt. I've got a lot of trips planned this summer so I gotta do my best to build lots of WAF

My thought was that Zee and I would go up early Saturday to fish and let our sig others sleep in and drive up later in the day (which also allows us to fish hard in the morning without worrying about them).  What do you think, Zee?  I didn't think she'd go for a 4 hour drive to Chelan, but I do think she'll go for a couple hour drive to Cle Elum.

-Allen

Sounds like a plan. I'm sure the girls will enjoy taking it easy. I'll run it by her.

Z

I don't know diddly about that lake, other than I think it has burbot. 

arent those also known as freshwater lings??

Not sure what to do for the KAFF gameplan---  seems like the first time you fish a new lake or river the usual result is a big zero--just takes a couple tries is all; but this two day thing doesn't give us much time to get results.

Places I know best all come with salt--not so great for a "trout" derby 

I'm open to suggestions and will keep looking--maybe the cowlitz for steelies--have to check on the run timing..

Any thoughts?

Rob.

I don't know diddly about that lake, other than I think it has burbot. 

arent those also known as freshwater lings??

Yep, although they're not the same as lingcod.


Yakker- There are summerrun steelhead in the Cow already. I don't know anything about drifting it, though.

I'll probably stay in my neighborhood (Chelan, Rufus, Omak) the way gas prices are.

I'll probably stay in my neighborhood (Chelan, Rufus, Omak) the way gas prices are.
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Pisco   Know what you mean about gas prices-- the trip to Drano was a little over $100 in gas only 

After your last trip I'd say Rufus is the way to go, though I would sure like to hear of someone going to Chelan and jigging with some degree of success--if you hear anything give a shout.

Rob.

Z, pole,
if i'm reading this right, the plan is to hit cle elum this saturday, 26th? for kokes or macks? what time and what part of the shoreline?

Z, pole,
if i'm reading this right, the plan is to hit cle elum this saturday, 26th? for kokes or macks? what time and what part of the shoreline?

Nope.  I was talking about KAFF weekend.

-Allen

The article in STS was written by Bill Herzog.  Typical sizes of the Lake Cle Elum lake trout is 5-15 pounds, a few 20's caught each year.  Typical WA lake Trout trolling techniques, down 90-150 feet ... flatfish/quickfish, spin-n-glo/hootchies, herring/flashers ... with strip bait and scent added.  "Expect a strike from Cle Elum mackinaw about once every fifteen minutes".  I'm gonna see if I can get up there some time in the next couple weekends and do some scouting.

Lot's of stunted kokanee (<9 inches) in this lake ... hmmm, lake trout candy!!!

-Allen

A strike every fifteen minutes sounds like a good rate, for lakers. 90-150' down sounds like downrigger time.

A strike every fifteen minutes sounds like a good rate, for lakers. 90-150' down sounds like downrigger time.

Yeah Pole this does sound like downrigger depth were you and Z both going to use riggers or are you jigging?  I am still thinking over the best shot I'll have at the most trout inches at the end of the month.

Rob.

Yup.  I'll be busting out the downrigger, but I don't see when jigging wouldn't produce once a school is found.

-Allen

Darrel and Dad's report.  Notably ... "Lake Chelan’s lake trout fishing has been inconsistent during this reporting period".  Typical spring slowdown at Chelan?  At least in the lower basin as the fish push up the lake.

-Allen

SUBMITTED BY ANTON JONES of DARRELL AND DAD'S GUIDE SERVICE
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What’s hot is trolling for Lake Chelan kokanee and Rufus Woods triploids. Roses Lake continues to produce ten to fifteen inch rainbows. Lake Chelan’s lake trout fishing has been inconsistent during this reporting period. Also on Lake Chelan, the season is open for landlocked Chinook.

For kokanee on Lake Chelan, fish Mack’s Lures Kokanee Pro Wedding Rings behind a Hot wings. Bait each hook on the Kokanee Pro with a kernel or two of Pautzke’s Fire Corn. Troll those at about 1.5 miles per hour from 12 to 35 feet deep over near Lakeside and Minneapolis Beach. Use a snubber and / or a very limber rod to minimize the loss of hooked fish. Some of these kokanee are a very chunky 14 inches. If the bite is hot, fish a Mack’s Lures Imperial Spoon 2’ behind a smile blade. That will let these little guys show off their acrobatic nature.

On Rufus fish #1/0 black wooly bugger flies behind an action disk by wiggle fin to consistently produce those triploided rainbows. Vary your speed and zig zag often to produce these mostly 2 to 5 pound fish.

On Roses Lake, fish rainbow power bait on a 30” leader with a slip sinker from a snugly anchored boat at either end of the lake.

On Chelan, troll F-7 luminous chartreuse flatfish for lakers in the trench at 1.6 mph. To target the Chinook I’d suggest Rushin Salmon Wobblers by Critter Gitter and whole herring behind a dodger. Remember the limit is one per day with a minimum size of 15 inches. Also, we have caught some Chinook on those F-7 flatfish.

The kids tip of the week is remember the shorter attention span of children. The rule of thumb is usually about one minute of focus per year of age. Have an alternative plan to occupy the small children when the fishing action is less than what you hoped for. Snacks, games and other activities help to make the overall experience positive. Also, it is time to break out the sunscreen. Don’t let them fry in the first few sunny days of spring.

The safety tip of the week is to watch out for the slime on the launch ramp at Roses Lake. It is amazingly slick. It’s never funny when you take the fall.

Allen  KAFF weekend is coming right up.  What is the participation like?  About even?  Any talk about a strategy for our group?

Rob.