The little breeze that I saw as I got the boat ready at my house turned into a strong and consistent wind by the time I got to the lake - but regardless, I hit Downs this morning with visions of big bass filling up my boat. It was really difficult to navigate the lake with the trolling motor and the wind was so strong that it blew me all over the place - even with my anchor down.

I heard that fishing the shore - or as close as you could get to it - was the way to find the bass but I found it to be a really bad day. I fished the north and south sides of the lake all day, using darn-near every lure in my box. The most action I got were some nibbles on a crawdad fat rap and a blue/black spinner bait from what looked to be 6-8-inch trout. One of them was actually hooked but it spit the hook when it jumped out of the water. All in all, i saw my lures get hit only about 5-6 times and I saw another 2-3 fish follow it up to the boat only to turn away.

I talked to three other boats on the lake and it sounded as if they were having the same experience as me. It was a hot day (89 when I got off the lake at about 2:30) and combined with the wind, that was apparently enough to keep the fish at home today. I did get a nice sunburn though.

This was my first trip to Downs and won't be my last. However, I'll stay home or try another spot if the flags are moving at all

kevinb

5/18/2008 8:35:00 PM

Sorry to hear about the fishing but you wrote a great and informative report.
I don't suppose you heard about/or saw any pickerel around?

Bruce Nelson

5/19/2008 8:20:00 AM

Kevinb

I've fished Downs before and have caught a few pickerel while perch fishing in the lilly pads. Not much size to them, maybe about a foot long. I think the pickerel in Eastern WA are Grass Pickerel, the smallest member of the pickerel family. I'm by no means an expert on these and have only caught a few.

Bruce Nelson

kevinb

5/19/2008 9:59:00 AM

Thanks Bruce.
I've been a little curious about these buggers. Not sure why though.

GCB069

5/19/2008 4:31:00 PM

Rack if you were the red bass boat I put in right before you and had the same luck as you did, I got two small bass and a Grass Pickerel all let go to get bigger .. But I will be back .

Glenn

Rack

5/20/2008 12:03:00 PM

Hey Glenn. Glad to hear I wasn't the only one with no luck on Sunday. I remember the red boat but I was in a 14ft aluminum.

GCB069

5/20/2008 3:16:00 PM

Rack I was in a 14 FT jon I tookoff just after noon

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