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Spokane River Report
Spokane County, WA

Details

07/07/2009
Bottom Fishing From Shore
Smallmouth Bass
Surface Lure
Evening
07/07/2009
3
1649

What a Great Experience ! In my constant search for some decent bank fishing in the Spokane area, I decided to give the upper Spokane a try again .I decided to try a spot I remember going to when I was younger , though I never fished there before , A few miles upstream of Upriver Dam .Arrived about 8:00 pm to warm clear skies . I hiked down to the water , the first thing I see is some ribs someone had thrown in the water , covered in crawdads ... And these were some large crawdads . I hadnt even brought my pole on the first hike down, because I wasnt even sure if it was going to be fishable... upon seeing the crawdads i figured it was worth throwing out a crawdad colored plastic. After hiking back for my pole, I rigged up a 4 inch Power Worm , and started bottom fishing , Worked the worm for about 25 mins and didnt get a bite. All the time i was watching the crawdads feasting on the ribs, very entertaining ... I decided the Plastic wasnt working , prolly due to my lack of skill with plastics ... So i went to a jointed shad-rap , starting working it in at different speeds , within a few casts I landed a decent sized 1 pounder .. I released the fish and watched it dart away ... about that time I notice a very large smallie swoop in and past all the crawdads for a look , and then back again and WHAM ! This 3-4 pound smallie annihilates one of the crawdads right in front of me inches away !!! Wow was it awesome ! Tossed the shad-rap for a few more mins and didnt get any more bites . I switched up to a bait I rarely use, But not being used to targeting smallmouth, i decided to give it a try . I used a buzzbait , light green skirt with a 3 inch white grub tip . On my third cast SLAM ! Fish on , It came in the first time seemingly easy .... allowing me my first peek at this hog ... The biggest smallie Ive ever seen personally, 4-5 pounds ... when it seen me it peeled line off my reel like Ive never seen ... It stayed deep and I was able to bring it in yet again .. but not before two more runs of peeling line after it got close to the bank . After about a 2-3 min fight I thought it was done for ... it rolled slightly as it got within grabbing range .. My thoughts already on the pictures I was going to take with the camera I had in my pocket , I leaned down to land the fish, and with one final effort, It twisted and came free ....Lost it ! ARGH ! Fished for a few more mins untill dark but didnt get anymore bites .. Still a great time for less than two hours of fishing .. I will be dreaming of the one that got away and planning my next trip to this spot !


Comments

ToadWater
7/8/2009 10:20:00 AM
What a discriptive story....very entertaining!!!! Almost felt like I was there.
MaxExp82
7/8/2009 10:26:00 AM
I was hoping someone would comment, I tried to put some feeling into the report !
Nik
7/8/2009 10:48:00 AM
there are billions of crawdads in the river and i have seen them in the 12 inch range, as in lobster sized monsters, so there has to be some rediculous smallies in there. good report and let us know what happens when you go back.
spocanman
7/8/2009 3:19:00 PM
Max, Upriver Dam to Idaho border:
"All Species - selective gear rules. Only unscented artificial flies or lures."
Ya can't use Power Worms! Be careful out there.
kenbarb
7/8/2009 8:42:00 PM
I got excited just reading your report, have been there many times, brings back a few memories -- excellent report.
MaxExp82
7/9/2009 9:22:00 AM
I read the rules before I fished, Thanks .
troscoe
7/21/2009 9:45:00 AM
Damn, sounds like maybe instead of me taking you out on the boat I should hit the river with you! lol... Text me back I am hitting Newman today and Thursday! Peace
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709