G-Man
6/2/2011 7:26:00 PMGreat looking fish! If they taste like mud, try soaking them in milk for a few hours in the fridge. Can't believe they re-stocked the lake with trout, it is way too shallow to produce good eating bows.
Anglinarcher
6/2/2011 7:37:00 PMLOL - it is not the depth G-Man, although it was about 5 foot deeper 25 years ago (small dam removed by courts).
It is the fact that snails and midges are the only food left after the poison. Still, perhaps as the sunfish establish.......... who knows.
It is the fact that snails and midges are the only food left after the poison. Still, perhaps as the sunfish establish.......... who knows.
RiverChromeGS
6/2/2011 8:54:00 PMUmm i beleive its actually NOT the snails and midges, and is more likely the depth and algae in the lake as G-Man said because i have fished many lake around the Potholes, and all the fish, especially the large ones are FULL to the top with snails, and still taste great until about mid may or june when the blooms come out and the water warms, then they begin to taste like crap. They eat snails all year round, but taste good in colder water. Its not the food, its the conditions.
mosleyfrommoses
6/2/2011 9:04:00 PMWow nice fish man. I have heard some mixed reviews on sprague..Is there any bank fishing available ? Any spiny rays in there?
RiverChromeGS
6/2/2011 9:36:00 PMthey poisoned the lake to get rid of the spiny rays, but they are so easily re-introduced that its probably going to be a problem soon again if it isnt already
riprap101
6/2/2011 10:57:00 PMFishing during the cold winter months at Roosevelt the bows are loaded with snails and they taste great.
sourdough
6/3/2011 4:57:00 AMIn general, trips are fun to get in the net but lacking on the dinner plate. Sprague trips are the worst I've tasted, don't even smoke well IMHO.
cast&blast
6/3/2011 10:55:00 AMIf you want good smoked fish, you need to start with good fish. If you take mud and smoke it, it will taste like smoked mud. Yum.
Straight Shooter
6/3/2011 4:12:00 PMThe same thing happened last Spring... they all tasted like mud. Caught a bunch at Sprague last Fall and they tasted great. Go figure.
hewesfisher
6/3/2011 5:45:00 PM"they poisoned the lake to get rid of the spiny rays, but they are so easily re-introduced that its probably going to be a problem soon again if it isnt already"
Actually, they poisoned the lake to rid it of carp and tench, not spiny rays. WDFW restocked spiny rays in Sprague with the exception of smallmouth bass and walleye. Perch, bluegill, and crappie were restocked along with largemouth bass and channel cats. The trout were, according to WDFW, a fishery to provide opportunity until the spiny rays reached catchable size.
Actually, they poisoned the lake to rid it of carp and tench, not spiny rays. WDFW restocked spiny rays in Sprague with the exception of smallmouth bass and walleye. Perch, bluegill, and crappie were restocked along with largemouth bass and channel cats. The trout were, according to WDFW, a fishery to provide opportunity until the spiny rays reached catchable size.