Looking at the weather report all week long I was not sure if I was going to be able to get out this weekend. Passed on yesterday but I kept seeing low winds for some reason predicted for the Rattlesnake Lake area where I really wanted to go all along. All the other area’s that I was looking at had way too high of winds for me. So I got up and took a chance at Rattlesnake.

Stopped at NBend for some gas and it was dumping and blowing sideways....looked gloom to say the least, but I needed to have a look before I turned around.

Got to the lake and it was sorta calm for the 5-6 mph that was predicted so I unloaded and launched at 7:15 even though it was raining pretty darn good. Made my way out to the Eagle Tree on the Ridge side of the lake and the action started up big time when I was getting close. No eagles around so I was safe. Started with an Orange Flatfish at about 4’ deep and that seemed to be the right combo.

Left the area (never leave an area where you are catching fish) to explore some other areas that have been good, but not much going on so I headed back to the middle of the lake closer to the ridge side. Action picked back up and I nailed 3 of the largest fish that I caught all week long. I sorta got a quick measurement on the last one as it fought the best and it was 13-14”. One of the larger ones was caught on a Crippler and was also the fish fish caught on that lure. Brass and Orange (Interesting lure)

A few interesting notes,
a) First large one I caught today had a swivel, leader and bait hook in its throat. Removed it quickly and it seemed fine...better to cut the line? See pic
b) Had a nice fish on that came off after some strong pulls so I start rowing again but I was not seeing any action from my rod tip. Start to reel in and I realized that my Flatfish was gone since the was no drag. Knowing that it floats and it has a barbless Hook and that it was pretty calm I trolled in the same area and hoping to maybe find my lure floating on top of the water if it shook loose from the fishes mouth. Bingo, a few minutes later there it was...that’s a good day when you loose a lure and find it again!

Ended up with 35 and 107 for the week on 4 trips.

Was off the water by 11:15 with cold hands and feet, but pretty dry underneath my gear. Headed there tomorrow after work even though I never do to well with the sun out it seems. Just hope the wind is down. Say hi if your out there.

Final note....I am flattered that Yakima Baits used a pic of a fish that I caught on Tuesday for their Cover Page. Hard to compete against all those much larger fish that their lures catch. Have a look!

---