Hi Lewis,
Looks like you're nailing 'em good this winter! I'm disappointed to hear that the bite is poor near Chief Joe. I've a 17 foot fiberglass boat and have only been able to launch at the Corps launch. I fish alone, do you think I'll be able to launch my fiberglass boat at Seaton's alone without getting wet, seeing that there's no dock to tie up to? I've never been near the pens and the run from Chief Joe is not one I want to try alone.
Thanks.

wow, Louli love reading your reports like alway..and you sure no how to catch em......One of theses days im going to have to head down to rufus and give it a go!

Hi Lewis
Were they flowing any water Friday ? Nice catch ! Are you running any kind of extra weight on the line , too be able to cast out the 1/16 and 1/8 oz jigs ?

damn those are some huskie triploids.. looks like a good day on the lake

Once again, Lewis, a most enjoyable read. Just looking at Cindy made me feel cold. What was the outside temp?

Hello dockhan, I'm sure there were some fish in the lower lake biting, but just not for us. Tredfish was trolling the lower end and had fish in his boat, but not sure of the whole story. He was going to hit it again today (sat), so maybe he will update us. I received some great input from members here on the site about the seatons launch. I went out and bought a cheap pair of hip waders to assist with the launching at seatons. I launch a 19 foot aluminum with sterndrive. I have drove the boat on and off the trailer there, BUT it is a shallow bank at times. When I launched solo up there, I just put the waders on, backed the trailer out to where the boat would float off the trailer (don't unhook the winch and safety chain from the boat until you are ready to push it off the trailer), then unhook the winch and safety chain from the boat. Hold onto the docking rope (hopefully attached to bow of boat LOL) and push the boat back off the trailer. Then I just walk/pull the boat over to the side of the launch, The side on the passengerside of the truck has been the best for me. I pull the boat up to the shore, and I just toss the anchor up on the shore (once again, hopefully the anchor rope is attached to the boat) aways to hold the boat while I park the trailer. Be sure to be aware of the water depth and where your prop is in relation to the bottom. Also stay between the buoys when going out to the river and you should be ok. If you had a long enough rope, you might not need waders, but it sure makes it nice to be able to walk the boat off and on the trailer. Go to the address here (http://www.washingtonlakes.com/forum/yaf_postst8611_Seatons-Grove-Boat-Launch.aspx) for the excellent advice and tips I received on the subject. Thanks for the coment and question dockhan, and feel free to ask with any questions you may have. This site is a wealth of information. Good luck with your ventures.

Hey ya Xwisconyfisherman, We sure put in the time, and over the years have worked out a technique that works for us. We primarily use jigs, and I guess you could say, we have confidence in them. I find that makes a big difference in our success, that is having confidence in what we are using. One thing about the jig fishing is percerverence (sp). I would relate it to the bass fisherman who knows there is a bass down there, and keeps working it till the bass bites. We find finesse presentations has been the biggest factor, with color playing a significant roll also. But as with any fishing, there will be times when anything you throw in the water will get you a bite.Thanks for your comment.

Hey blufin, I was reading a report by Dave Graybil (the fishin Magician) and he got word of a Wenatche couple who had a 4 fish limit ranging from 7 - 12 lbs sounds kind of familar. Good job, to the RW gurus

Hi charlie, there was a slight current when we arrived to the pens area ( shortly after noon), but had slowed to almost no movement by about 2:00. the bite was most active with the current as you suspected, but we were able to entice a few more hits in the slack water. We just had to change the area we were fishing. As for extra weight, not when we are using the 1/16 and 1/8 oz jigs. BUT we do run lighter line. We run 4# and 6# all the time. When we are around the pen structure (ropes, cables, and chains) we will use 6# P-line, and the 4# P-line when in more open water. We also use ultr-lite to Light-Medium action rods. The rod I use with the 4# line is a 10 1/2 foot ultra-lite, so there is a lot of shock absorbing qualities going on while fighting a fish, and beleive me, the reels sure get a work-out. A good clutch system is a must. So using lighter line and longer fishing rods let us be able to cast the lighter jigs with no trouble. Thanks charle for the post and hope to see ya on the water soon.

They sure are some nice sized fish in RW Brian253, and we are lucky enough to live close enough to enjoy the bounty on a regular basis. The water was flat that day and made for an excellent boat ride up to the pens. Appreciate your comment. Say safe and enjoy the holiday season

Hi there Toni, glad you enjoy the reports. It was only in the low 30s, but a light mist and breeze. Soak to the bone chilly. Cindy's philosophy is if she is uncomfortably cold, then it's better to be at the house. So she puts on the layers, enough so that she can stay comfortable. With her arthritis, the cold isn't her friend. We were running an open boat today so the extra layers were in order. LOL. Thanks for your support

Howdy gpc, There are several RW fishermen who consistently catch nice Triploid, but most of them are "shy", and don't post their trips even though they are members to this site (and others). Rufus Woods has given up its secret to many, but few are comfortable sharing for one reason or another. The couple mentioned by Dave wasn't us this time, but he (Dave) has fished in the same area with us before (grins). As to his statement in his report about the only ones venturing out on RW are those with full covers and heaters, Well,there are many who have small boats, and larger boats also who venture out on the mighty RW in an open boat. I know several folks who have 8-12 foot boats (no cover) with electric motors that are out braving the cold elements to get a chance at the Nice triploids. It would be nice to have the full cover and heaters, but a mans gotta do what a mans gatta do. And sometimes the women too. LOL So my Hats off to ALL the fishermen/women who get out in the less than comfortable weather to pursue the sport we all love. Just remember to be prepared and stay safe while out. Thanks for posting a comment gpc, and hope you great success on your fishing ventures, and a happy holidays.

YES,YES, YES, a guys got to do what he's got to do! And man do you & Cindy do it well. Great report. Keep it up. Andy

nice fish there huge!!!!

Thanks rugrats6, appreciate your comment.
Happy Holidays to ya

Louis Great fish once again. Seems the waters Of Rufus will be more favorable this winter. I am headed down there tomorrow and hope to at least hook into one. I haven't been there for a few months.

Malottguy, sure is good to see your typing. Hope all is well, haven't seen ya in a while. With the cooler water temps, the fish seem more active for us in some parts of the lake. Sure hope you get to go out. Look forward to seeing your report. Stay well, warm, and safe.

Nice fish. I am coming over from Coeur d'Alene on Tuesday the 22nd and am staying at the cabin by the river. I have never fished rw before, are there some decent spots in that area. I also own a tackle company that specializes in custom jigs, have thay been hitting on certain colors?

HI Lewis
Great info on your rods , now where do you find a 10 1/2 Ultra Lite rod ?

Thanks for your help !

Hey charlie, MY Bad. I looked again at my rod and it is a "Light" instead of ultra-lite. Sorry for any difficulty this may have caused you in trying to figure that one out. The rod in question is a "Shimano Convergence", it is a 10 1/2 footer though. It is a light weight rod, that has stood up to some good workouts. I picked it up at "Hooked on Toys" in wenatchee. The first bigger fish I caught on it was a dogfish (36-48 inches) over in westport, while fishing off a jetty. I had a medium sized reel with 12 pound line on it while jetty fishing, but I probably won't use it again in those circumstances. I even use it when I'm crappie/bluegill fishing. It's sorta my all around rod. good sensitivity and has enough backbone to handle larger fish. Thanks charlie for the question.