Had a day off work, so headed up to RW for a quick check on conditions. Launched around 0830 and quit fishing around 1330 or so. surface water temp 61-62 degrees, and less than normal clarity for this body of water.
Bits, pieces, and strands of milfoil were floating in the water column, I cast, and trolled spoons & spinners, and cast spinners, spoons, jigs, and flies in various areas on this trip. Fished from Pump #1 up to the lower Pens area (gun-n-run) with hits and hookups in most areas. When I got up to the pens the sonar showed debri disturbance down to about 60 feet in 75 feet of water. Granted it wasn't dirty, but just more showing up than usual. At the pens visibility was down to about 10 feet or so when usually we can see fish to 20 or so. Fish were slow to respond to the lures, and then I couldn't detect the bite, just a weight added to the line.
I got several hits (no hook ups) Trolling a blue and white WL spoon, and at the pens hooked up with a few on the "pellet" fly (size #12 barbless) and also on jigs (1/16-1/8 oz in dark brown/black marabou), and had no hits on spinners, flies, and only one fish on plastic immitation minnow/grub jigs.
All fish were under 3 pounds and were released in good shape to grow and fight later.Several boats on the water, a few shore fishermen, but didn't get to talk with them. As I was taking out, there was a tribal agent at the Corps boat launch, and he was saying the reports have been pretty slim over all. There was surface activity, but I just didn't have the correct technique to entice them to my hook.
As always, a great day and I look forward to lower water temps.
Tight lines and stay safe all.

dave g

10/29/2009 8:34:00 PM

heya loui...sounds like the lower end is picking up nicely. we spent last thursday and most of friday up at the pens and came away with one fish of 5#3oz. and not alot of other hookups. didn't see alot of fish caught by anyone. tried working on my jigging technique and came to the conclusion i need to drift along side of you to see how the master does it, lol. fished omak lake the following 2 days and had a blast. thanks for the report...

blufin loui

10/30/2009 8:30:00 AM

Hey dave, not sure you'd learn much LOL. From your reports (and pics) you seem to be doing pretty good with the RW Tripps. I find on the days when the fish are picky and reluctant to bite, I have to resort to finnese tactics. Finding where the fish are hanging and put the jig or lure in that zone and do everything with the jig I can think of to irritate --or rouse the curriosity-- of the fish. I haven't tried "drop-shotting" yet, but I bet it would work. Some days size of lure seems to be the ticket. I've had the trout come to the surface around the boat, and I've yet to see what they are feeding on. The fish I have watched will come from a depth where you cant see them, and break the surface, then swim back down out of sight. When drifting with the current alongside the lower pens we have had this happen many times. The boat's presence doesn't seem to bother all the fish. Also we've watched fish swim to the pens from out in the river area, most of these would be 10 or so feet below the surface. I don't know if they were out in the current feeding and swimming to the pens for a current break or what. But it is facinating to watch those fatboys swimming around.
Good luck with you fishing, and I always look forward to your reports on your fishing adventures.

oldrogerfish

10/30/2009 12:19:00 PM

blufin loui....just a small "thanks" for all your reports. Being a Westsider it's hard to get over your way, but your reports keeps the interest level up. What does your boat look like so i can recognize you wen i do get to RW?

blufin loui

10/30/2009 11:18:00 PM

Hi there oldrogerfish , I'm glad you enjoy the reports. Some days are better than others for catching fish, but most any ole day is a good day to fish. I don't always catch a "boatload" of fish when I go out, but I sure enjoy putting the boat on this body of water.
As to what the boat looks like, I "tried" to put a couple of pics up on the photo gallery in the Blog thingie. My first attempt, so not sure if it worked. I didn't have any good pics of the boat, but good enough to get an idea what she looks like. If ya ever see me on the water, pull over for a chat. I'm always up for some tips and stories.

Lake Chelan Adventures

10/31/2009 7:20:00 AM

Well Loui ...I hit Rufus hard yesterday and the good news is that the water clarity has improved dramatically but, and I mean but, the fishing was real tough for me and my guests..Ended up getting our fish and a 7 lber to end the day but boy it was tough..Got to the dock at dark 30 and chatted with a few people there..out of 6 boats there were 2 fish caught ..1 walleye (10lber) and and 1 triploid..So with all that I felt good with my 13 total..See you on the water..

blufin loui

10/31/2009 1:37:00 PM

Thanks Joe for the update, I will most likely concentrate on the lower 10 miles of the RW when I go back up there. I was marking fish in 25-40 feet depth at several locations on the lower end. Water clearing up and the passing of the weather system may improve the fish activity. Glad you were able to tagg some tripps for your guests.
Look forward to your reports.

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