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My favorite time of the year to be on Lake WA. middle of winter, Cutthroat fishing. Hardly anybody on the lake typically, other than a few other Cutty guys, and a couple die-hard bassers.

Launched from Magnusson at 0830. I was fishing with my comrade NWFR member, 'Motoboat' We head straight down the the South end of the lake. I needed to burn some gas. Put lines in the water on the SE side of Mercer Island. I was running either an inline spinner behind a 6" dodger, or other times a Green splatter back mini hootchie behind dodger. I had no luv, no nuttin, for some time. Motoboat/Wayne picked up a small 7" Kokanee. He was running a small hootchie, forget color?

Got down to South tip of Mercer. There were 2-3 other boats. Thought maybe we saw 'The Tin Cup'... Barry, but the occupant had less hair, so maybe not? Around this point Wayne had a very hard drive by/hit.. no stick. Soon after he hooked up with a VERY chunky Cutty.
Guessing 16", but FAT. Fish took a pic, and then released. We made it over to the mouth of the Cedar River. Of course with recent weather, the outflow color was chocolate milk. (-: In this area it was noticed that I had the ever most slight odd rhythm on my light kokanee rod. I pulled it out to check.. Rod was heavy on the business end, but no head shakes, etc. As I got the fish towards the boat, it finally showed itself, and it look GREAT. Strangely it did not hardly give any fight at all until it was facing the net. Larger than the other Cutt. and a very solid fish. After a quick pic. fish was released for a good swim away. This one came on a pink mini hootchie that had a built in fin thing on the nose end, for increased action. And behind a chartreuse small tear dropped dodger.

We were out there all day until nearly dark. ended up back in Kirkland area. Marked plenty of fish all day. Fish were caught all at either 30' or 40'. Fish marked in 20-40', but some marked in 60-80' as well.

If you can get out there in this winter season, on a no wind, no rain, etc. day.. it is a beautiful time to fish.

Augie57

1/19/2021 9:59:39 AM

Thanks for the great report, as a novice this really helps! I live at the south of the lake and hoping to try my luck soon

The Quadfather

1/19/2021 10:43:07 AM

@Augie57, sorry my report wasn’t more detailed. I wrote a more specific report via my desktop, but it got hung up, and didn’t go through.

Just hit that whole SE corner of the islands, and then in the wide pool of water between island and Boeing.

salmonbarry

1/19/2021 8:17:32 PM

Hey Quad! Nice to see you made it out there! My time will come but very limited time to hit the water these days with work to help my struggling restaurant owners stay in business! To Augie57 as Quadfather said just work the water, check for marks and try different speeds-set ups-depths until you find what they want!

Augie57

1/20/2021 2:48:17 PM

Thanks again , hopefully you’ll see me and Augie(my pup) out there soon! And salmon berry you gave me some great tips last summer on Kokanee!

Marklee

5/13/2021 9:52:51 PM

Hello, Quadfather!
Some beautiful pictures you've posted!
You did a report on your trip to Lake Josephine in 2018. You mentioned you cut some miles off the hike by taking USFS Road 6960 (Mill Creek off Hwy 2; along the powerline road). I realize it's been over 2 years and things change, but could you tell me the conditions of that road? I was told that if I don't have 4-wheel drive and a high clearance, I shouldn't try going to the end. Your thoughts? Thanks so much!

The Quadfather

5/13/2021 11:18:51 PM

MarkLee,

Oh man, so glad that you asked about Josephine!
I really hope you make it in there.

So, yes.. that back road will definitely cut off time/distance. I would not go in a 2 wheel drive, nor would I go in even a truck that still 2 wheel drive.

I feel like 80% of it I could do in my Subaru Outback, but the last portion had the ‘rock field’ that requires pretty good clearance, so I took my Ford Expedition. Any good 4x4 with a pretty good level of clearance is probably Ok.

I went to that lake SO many times as a kid. It is a really nice place.
I’m typing on an iPhone with a janky signal in the middle of the woods in NE Washington/fishing, so a little disjointed. If you have any questions you can reach me @ quadradomus@gmail.com

Chris

Marklee

5/13/2021 11:42:12 PM

Thank you so much! All super helpful information. We are looking forward to going - and what you've shared will help us plan appropriately.
Glad you're out fishing! Hope it all goes well ~ enjoy!!
And thanks again for taking the time to reply.

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