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Launched at the corps launch above Chief Joseph dam around 10:30-11ish. A little bit of ice on the ramp, so be cautious. It can be Slick when you step out of the rig. We headed up stream to the "Cabin Hole", and used the bow mount to ease up the shoreline. There were two other boats in the area and they were out in about 12-20 feet of water. One was anchored, and the other run and gunn. We fished half way up the hole fishing the edge of the weed line (8-15') and didn't get any hits. We noticed a few rises over in the shallower water, so we eased over closer to shore. With the boat in about 6-8 feet of water we would cast into the shallows, and would have hits or swirls at the bait. The weeds and stick ups were thick enough, and the water was only 2-3' deep, so jigging just didn't cut it because of the hang-ups. Cindy had a couple small ones on a cast master, but she had to do the screaming retreave to stay out of the weeds and sticks. Well I picked up my rod with 6# line, and tied on an Eagle Claw weedless hook, then threaded on a Root Beer colored B-2 Squid. A long cast past some brush sticking out of about two feet of water. Let it sink to bottom, then twitched it back toward the boat. As it came to the bush, the line twitched, Hook Set, But I mised it. About that time there was a swirl and the line started sideways. Fish on, It was in shallow water, so the fish was running a wake and swirling the water. Looked like a good fish, and felt like it too. I told Cindy I would keep it if she could get a net under it as It looked to be 4-5 pounds. It made a run to deeper water, got down in the weeds, then got around the trolling motor, and in general put up a decent fight. When we got it in the boat and hanging on the scale, It pulled a solid 8 pounds. The scale read a few ounces over a couple of times, but that was probably just my shaking arm. Nice fish in the live well. We fished the rest of the way up the hole, and picked up a few more but all were shakers. We decided to go down to Pump #3 and give it a try. There was a party of five fishing on the point, so we didn't put much effort in that area, and moved on down to just above Pump #1. We hooked a few more small ones, but shook them off at boat side. We didn't catch any tagged fish today. Ended up with only the one to clean, but it was a great day on the water. Air temp was 23 when we launched, and 25 when we took out at sundown. The water temp at the launch area was 47* and up at the cabin hole the water temp was 56*. A little choppy going up in the AM, but turned out a beautiful day. With the temps cold, be sure to drink plenty of fluids, it is easy to not drink enough as the temps drop. Also be sure to carry a shovel, (and sand if you can) and if the ramps are icy, at least you can toss some gravel on them for traction. Stay safe and warm out there.

Malottguy

12/4/2010 8:33:00 PM

Nice looking fish Lewis. I saw a rig that looked like your come in and launch and swore it was you. I was right LOL was hoping you'd make a trip by the can line. We saw a few real nice ones rising out there. I am surprised to see it more cold down by the dam than up river but seemed to work for you :-). I finally got a little 11" but was fun and fishing seems to be turning on some.

blufin loui

12/4/2010 9:05:00 PM

Howdy Robert, My theory on the water temp is less movement of the water closer to the dam, and up river the current has more movement, hence higher surface temp. I may be totally wrong, but have noticed warmer temps as one goes upstream, at least a few degrees. At least you guys had stink for the skillet. I think some folks didn't even get that. And it was a great day to be on the water.

Lundegard

12/4/2010 9:38:00 PM

Loui.....I wonder what those fish in the shallows would do to a pink steelhead worm rigged weedless like you did? I'm sure your root beer mimicked a sculpin....

dudeitsme0

12/4/2010 11:07:00 PM

nice fish!!

hewesfisher

12/5/2010 7:23:00 AM

Nice fish Lewis, but I thought our wives caught all the big ones. LOL I love winter time fishing, no crowds, nice fish, and usually, great days on the water. :-)

blufin loui

12/5/2010 3:01:00 PM

Hey Lundegard, I bet the pink steelie worm would get bit. I'm not sure what the worm looks like, but I rig the B-2 without weight so the entry of the bait into the water is soft. If the worm has enough weight for long casts, then it would be worth a try. The fish are so spooky in that shallow of water that it's stealth fishing for sure. May have to try to find some to try out up there. Thanks for the comment

blufin loui

12/5/2010 3:02:00 PM

Thanks dudeitsme0, as the weather (and water) gets colder, the fishing at RW gets better.

blufin loui

12/5/2010 3:04:00 PM

Hey Phil, I lucked out this time, with the fishing. The fact she had a bum shoulder and wasn't casting to well gave me an unfair advantage. But at least she was game to give em Heck.

The Jigmiester

12/5/2010 6:43:00 PM

Hey Louie. Great report my finely bearded friend. Any time on the water with your signifigant other is precious. I've been hunting pheasants insstead of tossing a line...training my pointer lab has been a hoot! It's that time of year to stock up on fishing gear and seeing awesome pitures like your Rufus trip'loid and great report gets my fish blood pulsing again! Thanks again Loui, sincerely, Jiggy.

blufin loui

12/5/2010 6:57:00 PM

Heey Jiggy, Great to hear from ya. Since my hunting days slowed down, fishing is my main outdoor activity now, but it is good to hear you're training up a hunting partner. You and Pam take care, be safe, and have a great Holiday Season.

fishdoc

12/5/2010 7:56:00 PM

Nice fish Lewis! Where do you get your jigs at?

blufin loui

12/5/2010 8:44:00 PM

howdy Fishdoc, Don (BMGW here in the site) has a nice selection of jig skirts, and I buy my 1/16oz red-hook tube jig heads from him also. Shoot him a PM if you have more questions. Also I use maribou jigs in a variety of colors, but black seems to be the stand by color. These I tie up myself. Also Cindy likes to use small plastic minnow immitations available at any sporting goods counter, and I like small plastic grubs. these can have curly tails or "tendrells" on the back. The B-2 jigs I order online at the B-2 website. Hope this helps and good luck out there.

fishdoc

12/5/2010 8:51:00 PM

Thanks blufin! Good luck.

afk

12/6/2010 6:35:00 AM

Oh Ya! Now were talking keeper size. Good on you. Keep it up. Thanks for the report.

blufin loui

12/6/2010 9:28:00 PM

Hi ya andy, I was lucky this trip, but man did that thing taste good.

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