It's been 4-5 years that I've missed the opener at Jameson after 20 some years of April and Oct. openers. This once incredible fishery has gone so far off the edge from what it once was. After receiving a WDFW update this week that they stocked an additional 30,000 fish and 2,000 triploids. It was reported the water quality and oxygen levels were up. I had high hopes this lake has turned around.

Zero, nada, what a waste. I saw a few fish caught. All of maybe 10! I did see an Osprey fly by with a 8 inch dink. What in the world has happened to this lake? I should have known better when I got there Friday afternoon and the lake was glass. Not a fish seen rising. In fact I never saw a fish jump all weekend! If someone would have bet me a dollar I could go a weekend of fishing in Jameson and not catch a fish I would say they are nuts.

Weather wasn't the best, windy and cold with scattered showers off and on all weekend with shots of sun. Typical April opener weather. Actually surprised at the number of people there, so the word got out. Not anything like it used to be. Maybe 1/4 of the normal opener crowd, but a healthy batch of people. Met up with some old friends and had some good campfire food, so who cares if there are no fish!......LOL I did not see a single WDFW person or volunteer all weekend. They were probably hiding and too embarrassed to admit this lake is dead. Water is fairly clear and not the gross nasty reddish brown, so maybe there is some hope.

Dave

4/26/2009 9:41:00 PM

Fish On,

Thanks for your report. I have noticed few reports for Jameson over the years so it is good to hear from someone who has recently fished it. I recall fishing there as a kid (started fishing the lake in 1970) and as an adult (it's been 10 years since I have been there). Fishing at Jameson was always fantastic and I have many great memories from there. I do remember the wind but I also remember lots of 2 and 3 pound fish that fought for all they were worth. I am sad to hear it's changed so much. I was thinking about a trip to Jameson this year. I have a large trailer and was thinking about trying to stay at Jack’s Resort so we can utilize the full hook ups. Do you by chance have any pics of the camp spots at Jack’s. I have searched the web for pics of Jacks but have found none. Heck, I don’t even know if you have to have reservations to stay there or if its first come first serve. I have also asked the WALakes members if anyone has a few pics of Jacks they could share with me but received no response. We use to camp in the gravel parking lot looking out at the lake but I’m not a kid anymore and would like to enjoy the comforts of home (electricity & water hook ups) if I take my trailer there for a trip. Anyway, thanks for your report.

Dave

Fish On!

4/26/2009 11:51:00 PM

Dave, Jacks Resort is still going and looked to be full up this weekend. Sorry I don't have any pics of the resort. I'm sure if you give them a call they can fill you in. Friend from work used to pull his 32 ft. trailier in there without any problem and rent a boat every opener. There's hundreds of acs of camping/parking for big rigs, so if you don't need hookups you can camp for free. I'm sure after the opener you wouldn't have any problem getting in there on any weekend.

Yes, Jameson was fantastic fishing for so many years. I hope they can sort out the problems. First off WDFW. Get rid of all the cattle pooping in the water. Just a thought!.....:)

Dave

4/27/2009 8:29:00 AM

I like hook ups. I guess I'm kinda spoiled. We always camped in the gravel parking area overlooking the lake. My dad had a 16' Airstream so it was easy to heat with the little in-floor propane heater it had and it had propane lights so we were good there. With my 3 year old 27' Komfort, it has a slide out and no propane lights, and the heater is forced air so electricity is needed. I could buy one of those buddy heaters Cabela’s and places like Sportsman's Warehouse sell, but if my batteries were to deplete on a 3 or 4 day trip, I would have to hand crank the slide in and my front tongue jack is also electric so I would hate to find myself plugging in to the truck just to charge the batteries enough to lower the trailer onto the truck hitch. Anyway, that’s why I like the hook ups at this stage of my life. It’s just easier. So, I will call Jack's here and see what they say about upcoming site availability. I have a boat carrier on my truck so I can take my 12' Smoketcraft with me. I do look forward to a trip there this year. Again, I appreciate your information.

North River

4/27/2009 1:34:00 PM

I'll second the crappy fishing comment. We fished for a couple hours and didn't even get a bite. I saw one guy that had two small fish at about 6". Jameson definately isn't the lake it used to be.

Went down to Sun lakes and fished Blue lake. The kids caught three limts in about 2 hours. Thats what we used to go to Jameson for.

Fish On!

4/27/2009 4:51:00 PM

I just received a WDFW e-mail with the catch averages. At Jameson, 50 people were checked with 27 trout. How horrible is that! In the good old days if you couldn't catch a limit in a hour something was wrong. I saw so many catch a limit, go eat breakfast and go right back out 3-4 more times in a day. There was always a fish check on the road out and plenty got nailed with over limits. One year the 3 guys in front of us had 247 fish. I'd be curious to know how much money Jameson made over the years in fines. I bet plenty. Oh btw, there is a nice new bathroom that was installed. At least our money is being spent on worth while things. LOL

rjust007

5/3/2009 6:32:00 PM

the north end resort has great hook ups for rv and you can rent trailers there they have a restaraint and showers also docks to tie up boats Id wait a month or so to let the water warm up then they hit better! got got back and was a bad fishing trip no fish little bites Ill get the # to the resort and post later

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