hi there... just got back from banks and Rufus.. stayed at steamboat rock state park.. 1st at time there.. arrived Monday... caught nice trout at banks.. what a nice lake its big big big. some walleye guys and a few bass guys.... i ended up cruising the shore line in two foot of water with my 4 year old... he was in the front part of the boat as we went along many mile of shoreline watching what darted around and underneath the boat... when we found many nice sandy beaches.. we would beach the boat and walk the shoreline on some of them and take a little swim... hes still afraid to let go in the deeper water... he had a bag of freshwater clam shells as a souvenir.. then on Tuesday afternoon around 5,,we checked Rufus and made the drive which was easy from the state park.. on weds at 4;30 got up and gently caroused every one into getting up.. i had to lift my boy while he was still asleep and lay him in the back seat... then turn the radio up to wake him up while i was 15 miles down the road. got on Rufus after a few boaters came up behind us.. i let everyone go head do there thing.... three went in, one guy was coming out....... i manage to talk to him, a local nice guy.. he was fishing for walleye.. we launched the boat, trolled a few places then made it to the world famous net pens....... i had met a few people bye then and was told to tie up to the pen..... we did....... will let me cut it short... the fishing wasn't all the great.....did care for the hype.... reminded me of the blue crick hole at the Cowlitz.... no thanks.... there were a couple boats close a few trollers... I had more fun looking over the edge at banks watching the fish scamper.... sorry about Rufus. i also did care for the huge fluctuations in water levels at Rufus.... I suppose when you go with your buddies and your on a search and destroy mission it might be different.... but when your with your gf and a 4 year old things are different....

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