Previous Next

Another GREAT day on the Rufus Woods. After a good day yesterday, we asked Julie (visiting friend from the west side) if she wanted to stay another day on this side of the mountains and we'd go fishing again. Well, she said, it would be nice to take home some fillets for a fish fry. So Sunday morning found us at the lower net pen area around 0945, and the fish were biting. The water temp was between 50 and 51* with scattered clouds and the ocassional shower, but upper 60s air temp, so it was great. We sarted off above the lower pens casting jigs, and as we got closer to the pens we were mooching with the current. We had decided we were going to try for a bigger fish today, and after considerable discussion was able to talk Julie into agreeing to C&R a few of the first ones we would catch. Using 1/4, 1/8, and 1/16 oz jigs we rigged some tubes, plastic minnows and used some black marabou to try to intice a bite. The heavier jigs didn't produce too well, and the current was slow to none existent at times. So the lighter jigs was the ticket. Julie was using her 5 foot (or so) ultra-lite fenwick and 4# line tied to a dark colored jig. After missing a few hits, she hooked up with the first fish of the day (same yesterday) and it looked to be around 4#. OOh it was hard to get her to let us unhook in in the water, but alas, peer pressure won out. Cindy grasped the lead head with the forceps and the barbless hook slipped free and away swam a nice trout. After several deep breaths, Julie was back at it. Cindy and I caught and released a few, and I had to keep a 3# 2oz beauty cause it was hooked deep I think Julie and Cindy C&Rd a few from that spot and one of them kept their first of the day, then we moved around and down along the outside of the pens, mooching along. Didn't pick up any untill we got close to the lower end of the system and started catching 10 inchers. We moved on down below the pens aways, but didn't get any bites. We puttered back up toward the upper end of the system, ate a PB&J and sipped some coffee, water, or pop. As we were getting close to the end of the pens, I noticed there was current coming around the outside of the pens and a dimple or two was happening. I used the bow mount to hold us in place, and we cast jigs across the current and next to the pens, Then let the current carry the jigs around on a tight line. BAM, Bam A double. Two nice trout 3-4#s were C&Rd. Before the bite died We caught several fish and I kept my Second one. This was up in the evening and I was about ready for a break anyway. Boat control during the wind and trying to fish had taken it's toll. Any way, the two ladies needed to keep another one for their limits, and we moved on up above the pens. After playing in a 2-3 pounder to the boat side, Julie leaned over to release it while it was still in the water and Snap, The poor lil Fenwick's tip got extra pressure on it and it broke. Boo Hoo. Well, I fixed her up with one of my Ugly Sticks, and she kept on fishing. Cindy hooked a 5 plus puunder and decided she was ready to call it a day. The pressure was on for Julie. I was trying to get her in a good spot, and Cindy was putting away the extra rods and equipment, when We heard splashing and Squealing. Julie had hooked up with a jumper. The fish was airborne 4 different times, with one of the jumps after running right at Julie. By the time the fish was to the boat, Julie said get the net. I'm ready to quit. YAAA HOOO. A long day on the water, and a limit of fish. What a great day out. We had trout from 3# 2oz up to 6#. Some nice fillets for the BBQ. We headed in and had a nice flat ride back to the State Park. We checked on the Owl nest but couldn't find the babies among the leaves and limbs. The pic of the adult owl was one of the parent owls keeping watch over the young ones. And the fish pic is Cindy, Julie, and I with a three person limit. A fishing dream of a weekend. Wishing good luck to all on their fishing adventures.

hewesfisher

5/25/2010 9:04:00 AM

As always, a great report and even better story. We need to make another trip to RW just so I can watch Debbie out fish me! LOL Thanks Lewis! :-)

Big Smooth

5/25/2010 12:30:00 PM

WOW Louis... Incredible day once again. Thanks for the great report :)

TBone

5/25/2010 4:42:00 PM

WOW great day on the water, i have never fished RW I dont even know where to launch but i have been thinking about going over there, any suggestions Louis ?

TBone

5/25/2010 4:42:00 PM

WOW great day on the water, i have never fished RW I dont even know where to launch but i have been thinking about going over there, any suggestions Louis ?

flyfisherguy

5/25/2010 7:30:00 PM

Good to see there's still a few fish left after our trip last month! LOL Way to go my friend, hope you and Cindy are doing well. We just got back from Brownlee Reservoir in eastern OR where I and two of my co-workers caught over 300 9-11 inch crappies! What a great trip, even if it does take almost 8 hours and a whole bunch 'o gas to get there! Keep posting these great reports Loui, it makes me want to make a return trip there!

Take care!

oldrogerfish

5/26/2010 11:19:00 AM

Loui, you are my hero. I hope to retire in the Wenatcee/Chelan area in a few years, Rufus will get a lot of my attention. I need to refine my techniques though, so appreciate your in-depth fishing reports. I've had good success with baits, but your day ios done too quickly. Still using the "fly? Oldrogerfish

chalvorson

5/26/2010 5:05:00 PM

Louie, or anyone else familiar with Rufus, Chelan or...really, any deep water lakes. Without the advantage of downriggers, what are your suggestions for presenting our gear deep while drifting or trolling?

My son and I will be fishing Rufus and maybe Chelan this coming weekend and I keep reading that a slow troll or drift is key with different variations of gear (I've read jigs, B2 Squid, etc...) down deep. We CANNOT wait to get out there, we've fished it from shore a couple times and once on the water...but no luck each time. No matter though, fishing up there with him is good enough for me.

Any thoughts would be great.

Thanks!

chalvorson

5/26/2010 5:06:00 PM

I apologize for the duplicate entries...I think I know what I did wrong, and I will NOT be doing that again. :)

blufin loui

5/27/2010 8:25:00 PM

Hey everyone, thanks for the comments, and it was a great trip, with a lot of good memories, PHIL, it sure is GREAT having a good woman in our lives. LOL T-Bone, read lots of the RW reports, and shoot me a PM with any questions you may have. I may not be able to answer them all, but I'll share what I know. FLYFISHERGUY, you're making me feel envious, and That's not good. LOL Good to hear you made it down there. Stay safe my friend. OLDROGERFISH, you need to get a life if I'M your hero. LOL Just kidding (about the life anyway) Once in a while I'll toss the fly with good results, but the jigs have been good enough, I've hated to experiment much. howdy CHALVORSON, I've done the duplicate posting too, but after awhile it gets easier. If you could shoot me a PM with details of where you may be fishing, I'll try to give ya some suggestions. Anytime spent with your son is a great investment. Look forward to hearing from you.

Leave a Comment:

Login

Flag

×

Why is this comment inappropriate?

Close Submit

Delete this comment? Provide reason.

No Yes

Edit

×

Cancel Save