by John Kruse, February 18, 2022

THE WASHINGTON OUTDOORS REPORT February 18 – February 24, 2022
OUTDOORS ROUND UP

STATE PARKS HIRING: It’s already time to think about a summer job if you are a college student or graduating high school and one great place to work if you enjoy the outdoors is with Washington State Parks. Some 350 park aides and an additional 40 senior park aides are hired to work at our parks from April through September. Typical work includes registering campers, maintaining trails and grounds, cleaning campsites and restrooms, performing maintenance chores and interacting with the public in a positive way.

My son worked as both a park aide and as an intern for Washington State Parks while in college and really enjoyed the experience. Many applicants will use these summer jobs as a stepping stone towards working full time with Washington State Parks. Others, looking fondly back at these summer jobs years ago, come back as retirees to work or volunteer in our parks. The salary range for these temporary positions range from $16.09 to $20.23 an hour, depending upon qualifications and experience. To find out more and apply go to
www.governmentjobs.com. Once you are there, search for Parks Aide Jobs in Washington State.

FISHING REPORTS:
COLUMBIA GORGE: Both the staff at Gorge Outfitters Supply in Rufus and creel checkers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife report anglers are catching walleye out of both The Dalles and John Day pools of the Columbia River. Try trolling a Mack’s Lure spinner worm harness deep and bait it with a nightcrawler. Once you find a fish, anchor up and try jigging for additional fish that may be schooling there.

YAKIMA RIVER: Bill at Red’s Fly Shop near Ellensburg says fishing has been good. The water has had good clarity and the trout are not in the deeper winter holes but the inside edges and softer water in the Yakima River Canyon. There have been no afternoon hatches and subsequently no dry fly fishing yet. However, fishing streamers and nymphs will work well right now. Try fishing a Skwala stone nymph or worm imitation for success.

LAKE ROOSEVELT/RUFUS WOODS RESERVOIR: Austin Moser, owner of Austin’s Northwest Fishing Adventures, has been doing quite well fishing near the net pens on Rufus Woods Reservoir though some days are better than others depending on current flows. High current

flow days can be challenging. Having said that, the effort is worth it. These trout are huge and known for their succulent fillets that are great for eating whether it be from the frying pan or the smoker. The limit is two triploid trout and the average size of the fish run from 5 to 8 pounds with some fish coming between 10 and 17 pounds.

As for Lake Roosevelt, the Kokanee and trout are what you are targeting this time of year. Moser fishes from Keller Ferry down to Grand Coulee Dam. The fishing for Kokanee has been good and the biggest one so far this was a 24 ½ inch salmon weighing 4 ½ pounds. The rainbow trout fishing has also been good and they are averaging 18 to 21 inches. Moser is trolling standard kokanee gear and also using side planers to get his fish. The limit is two wild kokanee and five fin-clipped trout per day. Moser will be fishing both Rufus Woods Reservoir and Lake Roosevelt through March. If you want to book a trip with him, go to www.austinsnorthwestadventures.com
FISH LAKE: Scott West at The Cove Resort at Fish Lake northwest of Leavenworth says the ice is not safe and there are very few people out on the ice that remains. Your best bet is to come here after ice-off to target the perch, rainbow and brown trout that are found at this 500-acre lake.

John Kruse – www.northwesternoutdoors.com and www.americaoutdoorsradio.com

PHOTO CREDITS:
1. Park Aides at one of our state parks – Courtesy Washington State Parks 2. Anglers with triploid trout at Rufus Woods -Courtesy Austin’s Northwest Adventures