Joe's Fishing Report
MARCH 7TH, 2010
Today was outstanding for the Laketrout in the lower Basin of Lake Chelan. Trolled the Purple glow Flatfish by Yakima bait Company today to boat 9 Laketrout with 6 other bites.Found these fish off Minneapolis Beach in depths of 200 to 230ft.
I found today that when I kept my lure right at 5 ft off thew bottom the bite was better than my normal 1 to 3 ft.
Saw some more schools of Kokanee on the surface feeding on the daphnea bloom. The kokanee bite should pick up real soon.
March 6th, 2010
Trolled off the Yacht Club and the Cove to find this biggin..Moved to the lower basin off Rocky Point to find some biters but it was a battle to get the fish to go today.
I trolled the Ace Hi-Fly in the Green double glow and the T-4 Purple firetiger in glowand the U-20 luminous Chartreuse but here again the Ace Hi-fly out fished the other baits..
I saw 3 or 4 schools of the small kokanee again on the surface..I do expect the Koks to start turning on here in the next couple weeks with the weather that we are having..Tight Lines to all and good luck out there.
Lake Chelan remains very productive for laketrout and a Chinook here and there in the lower basin..
Targeted depths this morning from 150 to 240ft to find the biters off Rocky point..
Troll the Ace Hi-Fly by Silverhorde and Whole herring to be most productive.
The Chinook bite seems to happen for me within the first hour of day light. Then the laketrout bite seems to start picking up as the sun gets high in the sky. For the Chinook troll herring with a green dodger at 50 ft right at daylight and gradually drop this presentation down to 150ft
After the first 2 hours, if you have not banged a Chinook, I would change to the Ace Hi fly in green and troll this bait 1 to 3 ft. off the bottom. Primarily when I change I am targeting laketrout but I do catch Chinook this way also.Good Luck to all and enjoy this beautiful weather..
Well this week has still remained real good for the Laketrout here on Lake Chelan..I am still targeting Laketrout in the trench and on the edges..The Ace Hi-Fly has still been the bait of Choice but the U-20 Flatfish has been working well also in Purple Fire Tiger (Glow)..
A big thanks to all that fished with me..Pictured here is Owner of the Stillwater Inn Bed and Breakfast, www.TheStillwaterInn.com here on Lake Chelan..Don Forbush and brother..I will have a link real soon under my link section on the front page..Check out Don's website if you would like a real nice stay here in our beautiful Valley..
Started this morning at Millbay launch at 7:30 am..Motored down the lake off Pat and Mikes and started fishing in 170 ft. of water where we caught our first Laketrout..Slowly worked our way into the trench and got into a real good bite in 200 to 215ft of water..we boated 14 in 4hrs with the big fish coming off the outrigger rod at 40 ft deep with a 12 oz. snap weight attached. 11lbs. 5 oz.
A big thanks to Dr. Michael Downey, Casey Downey(15) and family friend Mark Richards for fishing with me today..Nice Pile of Laketrout!!!!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Laketrout fishing in Lake Chelan remains very productive. I am catching fish in the normal Locations but today I found that there is more Laketrout showing up on Mack Bar now which is strange to me to see good numbers here this early in the year. I guess this early spring like weather is also affecting these fish.. I am banging some nice fish above the Yacht Club and also in the slot out from Rocky Point. Try trolling the Ace Hi-fly in Green Glow to be most Productive. Also dont be afraid to change to a Luminous Chartreuse U-20 flatfish.. A big thanks to all that fished with me over this last week..Also Pictured here is Doc Paris and wife with a nice mess caught off Rocky Point. Feel free to contact me either email or cell anytime and I will do my best to answer all questions.
Today I am calling it a Logging day..We did nothing but Yard um in. If there was a rating 6 STARS this would have been the day.
Started in the Abyss above the Yacht Club targeting depths of 250 to 335ft. to find a few laketrout and boating our biggest at just under 10lbs. Bite was slow up there so I motored down to the lower Basin off Rocky Point and and Wow whaty a great bite..
Fished the Ace Hi-fly in Green to be most productive..Troll this bait within 1 to 3 ft. off the bottom at 1.2 to 1.4 mph. I did try some custom Spoons today that Bill Johnson brought along and I believe we got 6 on the new spoons.
With all that said we ended the day with 23 Laketrout. This will go down in my book in the top 20 trips of my guiding career..
A big thanks to Jeff Metcalf and son Nate(8yrs. old) of Mount Vernon along with Bill Johnson of Arlington for fishing with me today..I got to say to Nate, who is 8 yrs old ,wow what a treat to have you on the boat and you did a great job helping me with the fish..Tight Lines to all and be safe
Sunday, January 24th, 2010
Well the weather was not as nice today but the fish bite was even better than yesterday..We targeted Laketrout today above the Yacht Club in depths from 185 to 335 ft.
The Ace Hi-Fly smeared with Pautzke Kreel Gel out fished the T-4 Flatfish 5 fish to 1 today..troll this bait between 1.4 and 1.6 mph to be most productve...Thanks again to Mr. Wine for fishing with me this weekend. Tight Lines to All..
Saturday, January 23rd, 2010
What a beautiful day...I don't think that I could think of anything that I would rather be doing on such a nice day..Oh ya the fishing on Lake Chelan is down right on fire for the Laketrout in the lower basin. Troll the Ace Hi-Fly with Pautzke Kreel Gel smeared on within 3 ft. of the bottom to be most productive. I think that we had over 15 hits by 9:00 am after starting at 7:30am. Off Rocky Point is where they are stacked..Finding these fish in the 185 to 220 ft. depths.. If you do head out to tackle some of these Laketrout take some time to just look around at where you are and you will find that you are in one of the most beautiful spots in all of the United States with the snow capped hills. It is always a reminder to me personally on how blessed I am to be able to live in such a beautiful place. Tight lines to all and good luck fishing.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Lake Chelan remains very productive for Laketrout and the occasional King..Been catching a few Laketrout above 10lbs. now above the Yacht Club..Ace Hi-fly still remains the lure of Choice for me.. Rufus Woods has been real challenging for catching the Triploid Rainbow now that the water Temperature has dropped below 40 degrees..Catching a few fish with Jigs around the pens and getting some to bite trolling Jointed rapalas along the shorelines..Patients is the key now..Don't give up keep hammering away with changing presentations and it will pay off with the possibility of banging that 10+ lb. Rainbow trout..Tight Lines to all and good luck..Pictured is Marla of Lake Wenatchee with a nice triploid from the lower Pens
1/09/2010
Rufus Woods this last week has been a challenge to get the Big Bows to bite. But managed to catch a few casting Super Roostertails in Black and also Trolling rapalas has been real affective when the fingers get a little cold. Lake Chelan is still real good fishing in the lower Basin of Lake Chelan. Troll the Ace Hi-Fly by Silverhorde in the Green Spatterback color to be most productive. A big thanks to Brian Gather and Father for fishing with me today at Rufus Woods. That is a Trophy Rainbow that you caught. Tight Lines to all and be safe at the boat launches..
Holy Smokes the fishing in Lake Chelan is outstanding right now for the Laketrout in the Lower Basin of Lake Chelan off Rocky Point and Minneapolis Beach. Troll the Ace hi-fly smeared with Pautzke Kreel Gel, 1 to 4 ft off the bottom at 1.4 mph to be most productive..I think I had well over 20 hits today.. Big thanks to Mike Dzuik and boys from Seattle for fishing with me..I do have to say that this is one of the best days I have had in quite a few months out on the Lake.. Tight Lines to all and stay warm...
Rufus Woods has picked up now that the water Temp has dropped and the Triploid Bows are hungry..Try pitching a Roostertail by Warden Lures or a Black Rock dancer Jig by Macks Lure to be most productive..I am finding that the Rainbow are starting to hold tighter to the shores now looking for critters to eat. When the fingers start getting cold switch it up to trolling Black Flies close to the shoreline. I am running to the Pens most every trip then work my way back down the reservoir throughout the day hitting some hotspots where I have done well in the past. I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to all and a Huge Thank You to all that Supported me through my separation away from Darrell and Dads Family Guide Service. It was the best move that I have made to grow Lake Chelan Adventures. Just wish that I had taken the step sooner. Tight Lines to all.
The Fishing and Catching remains very good for Laketrout here on Lake Chelan in the Lower Basin off Rocky Point and Minneapolis Beach in the depths below 180ft. The Picture of the 3 fellows is our second day outing of a 2 day trip.
Most of the Lakers that I am catching now are just stuffed full of the Little Shrimp which really creates a real red flesh in these fish making them really good eating right now. Troll the Ace Hi-Fly in green glow smeared with Pautzke Kreel Gel to be most productive keeping this presentation 1 to 3 ft off the bottom. don't be afraid to slow your speed down and then speed up, this really is working to trigger the strike.
I had mentioned in a previous report that I will include a photo of prime Locations where I target the Laketrout..The Picture here is of Minneapolis Beach which is on the Southshore of the lake about 2 miles from downtown Chelan.
Everybody be safe and careful at the Launches..Tight Lines to all and Good Luck!!!
November 27, 2009
Well Rufus Woods has been very challenging over this last week but I am seeing a change for the better as the water temperature gradually drops.
Most of the Triploids are feeding on snails and stickleback still..Trolling over this last week has not been productive and the reasoning is that most fish are feeding over and in the weed beds that are still real thick along the shorelines.
I have been doing my best pitching spoons and spinners and little black marabou Jigs and ripping them over the weeds and then letting it fall on the edge of the outside weed beds. I think that the Rainbows think that it I a little fish or bug that is trying to get away from them and then just gives up when it reaches the deeper water. Most of my strikes have been when I stop the bait and let it fall.
From the Pens down to pump 3 has been most productive. The can line is not holding a lot of fish which makes perfect sense because of what they are feeding on right now.
At first light you will see a few surface feeders when launching at the Army Corps Launch. Don’t be afraid to pitch a Roostertail in Black at these surface feeders. They are actively feeding on midges and will hit the Rooster.
I have been asked by lots this year on when is the primetime to tackle Rufus and I have got to say this is a different year than the past 2 years because the water temperature has remained warmer than the past. I do think that it will pick up when the temperature drops into the mid 40’s.
Rufus Woods right now is a true Fishing trip not a Catching trip but what a beautiful place to be with all the Waterfowl and Critters and also there is always that chance of banging that “BIG BOW”.
Tight lines to all and feel free to contact me with any questions that you might have.
November 15th, 2009
Well I finally got a day out on Chelan after this last week of focusing on Rufus Woods, and what a morning it was..
Started trolling the Ace Hi- Fly Smeared with the Pautzke Kreel Gel, off the bottom at Rocky Point to find some Laketrout then moved to Minneapolis Beach to find a few more..I think we had 7 lakers in 3 hrs so I proceeded to process fish with all the rods in the water and then BAM.. This Beautiful Lake Chelan Chinook hit and flat tore me up ..What a fish..anyway finished with 8 Lakers and a Chinook for a 4 hr. boat.. Feel free to contact me with questions or comments anytime..Tight Lines to all and good luck..
November 7th, 2009
I have been up fishing at Rufus Woods for the last 3 days and boy have I had a battle with the strong winds and the slow Triploid Rainbow Bite. I have thrown I think everything that I have at these fish. They are chasing the baits but not committing to strike..I have seen some really big trout. Where I am finding a few biters is in the lower basin of the lake.. Yesterday the bite came on spoons and today I got them to go trolling Flies. I think I do know the reason for the Lethargic Bite is do to the recent pressure fronts and also the water temperature is still 58 degrees. Good luck out there and be safe.
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October 25th 2009……Rufus Woods has been very good fishing over this last week along with a consistent bite still happening on Lake Chelan for the Laketrout…Try casting Spoons and spinners to the shorelines at Rufus..The Kastmaster in Green has worked well and the ¼ oz Roostertail in Black has caught fish..When the water temperature drops into the 50’s at Rufus Woods, this fishery is going to turn RED HOT..
Troll the ACE Hi-fly by Silverhorde for the Laketrout and the occasional Chinook. trolling speed should be between 1.2 and 1.6..keeping your presentation right next to the bottom..Mack Bar is producing good numbers right now.
Good Luck to all and for questions or comments feel free to call my cell# anytime..Tight Lines
October 18th , 2009….Lake Chelan remains very Productive for Laketrout in the Lower Basin of Lake Chelan..Mack Bar has produced very good numbers of Lakers in the Mornings and Evenings..Try trolling the Ace Hi-Fly by Silverhorde smeared with Pautzke Kreel Gel to be most Productive on the Bar..As the morning progresses around 9:00 am I have been moving to Rocky Point to keep the fish bite going..Same technique has been working in this Location.
Rufus Woods is starting to pick up..Had to really Work hard to get the fish to bite but when it happens you are very rewarded with a real nice Triploid Rainbow..The Rainbow pictured is right at 8 lbs. Started fishing at the Pens with I think the slowest bite I have seen up there and then moved down between pump # 1 and 4 to find a few willing to Bite..Try trolling Wooley Bugger Flies on the surface real close to the shore and if this don’t work move out from shore and cast Roosters in ¼ oz. size in Black or Brown color seems to work well..Thanks to all that fished with me over this Reporting period..Tight Lines to all and Good Luck out there
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October 13th , 2009…
Another week has past and what an unbelievable week it has been for weather here in North Central Washington....With weather temperatures in the high 70s and low temperatures in the middle teens..I think that we set records on the high end and on the low end in the same week for this month..But the Laketrout fishing has remained productive on Lake Chelan with a real good bite happening early on Mack Bar.
Try trolling the Ace Hi-fly by Silverhorde keeping this bait 1 to 4 ft off the bottom and your trolling speed should be between 1.1 and 1.4 mph to be productive.....Good Luck to all and be safe out there..
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October 4th, 2009
Lake Chelan remains productive for Laketrout and Chinook over this last week even though it is getting a little tougher due to Mother Nature and the Laketrout moving into full spawn mode now..
Still finding good numbers of Laketrout in the lower trench off Pat and Mikes and also Mack Bar is holding some big fish right now..
Try trolling the Ace Hi-fly by Silverhorde smeared with Pautzke Kreel Gel, keeping this bait 1 to 4 ft off the bottom and your trolling speed should be between 1.1 and 1.4 mph to be productive.
A big Thank you to all that fished with me over this last week...
Good Luck to all and be safe out there..
September 13th, 2009
Fishing here on Lake Chelan remains very good for Laketrout and once in a while you get lucky and get one of our Gems of the Lake Summer Chinook.
I have been Fishing mainly in the Lower Basin of Lake Chelan but my season for Rufus has begun so I will be posting photos from Rufus in the near future..
Try trolling Flies at Rufus Woods on the surface very slow and if this doesn’t seem to work try tossing a 1/8th oz. Black Marabou Jig to the shore and retrieve it with a jigging motion..This is a deadly technique for these triploids..
I want all to know that Darrell and Dads Family Guide service are planning to guide at Rufus Woods this year but for all to remember I was the guide through there service, but now I am on my own with Lake Chelan Adventures and ready to start “Banging the Bows at Rufus Woods” this Fall…Good Luck to all and tight Lines…Feel free to call my Cell# with Questions or comments..
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September 7th, 2009
Fishing remains consistently good on Lake Chelan for Laketrout and the occasional Chinook. Try presenting your bait shallow at first light and what I mean by shallow is 70 to 100 ft off Rocky Point and as the day progresses you have to drop into the trench to find the biters. I have been trolling a few herring and also the Ace-Hi fly by Silverhorde to produce both Laketrout and Chinook over this last week.
The Laketrout are starting to stage for the up-coming spawn just down lake of the State Park now. I do expect these fish will be in full blown spawn mode by the end of the month which can make it real tough to get them to hit because they are not wanting to Feed while spawning. Good Luck to all and thanks to all that fished with me over this reporting period. Also a Huge Thanks to the Kelly’s Ace Hardware Staff for supporting Lake Chelan Adventures..The crew here has made my transition away from Darrell and Dads family Guide Service very easy..Thanks So Much!!!!
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August 25th, 2009
Lake Chelan remains very Productive for Laketrout in the Lower Basin of Lake Chelan..What I am finding now is that Minneapolis Beach is holding good numbers at first light and then I am having to follow these fish as the morning progresses into deeper water.Bait of Choice still has been the Northern pikeminnow rigged on a mooching rig which resembles a bait fish...I am still finding lots of shrimp and occasional Stickleback in there stomachs..try varying your speed when you have fish on your sonars.. this has been real productive for me over this last week. Sometimes your Presentation is just not enough to get these fish to go so by varying your speed it will give it a injured look which will make these fish a little more willing to check it out..Good Luck to all and tight lines..
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August 18th 2009
Fishing remains very good in the Lower lake..Mack bar has Produced some nice fish in the evenings and off Rocky point has been very Productive in the mornings for me over this reporting period..
Top bait of Choice By far is the pike minnow Filllet on a Double Mooching rig trolled just off the bottom..I have caught fish .5 mph to 2.5mph using this technique..doesn't seem to really matter the speed that your trolling..The key here is to have your bait next to the bottom at all times. Within 2 ft is the key..
I am still above my average from years past on numbers of fish coming to my boat..It has been an outstanding summer here on Lake Chelan..Tight Lines to all and Good Luck and remember when you have a fish on and it jumps right at the boat "DO NOT THROW THE POLE IN"!!!!..This happened just a couple days ago. I have got to say a farewell to the 9ft. Gloomis and a LC 500 Shimano Tekota..You have been real good to me and I am going to miss you!!! Oh ya the fish that jumped was a 12 to 14 lb. Lake Chelan Chinook that swam staight down with Rod and Reel...Thanks to all that fished with me this last week..
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August 8th, 2009
August 8th, 2009…The fishing in Lake Chelan remains very Productive for Laketrout in the Lower Basin of the Lake ..The Chinook are still still hitting but this last week I only boated 3 kings and lost 3....The early morning bite has been outstanding along with the evening bite coming on strong now that we are heading into the second half of August..
The Ace Hi-fly with herring or Pike minnow strips by far has out-produced the Flatfish over this last week..I have been averaging over 10 fish in a 4hr. boat..It has been the best July and August that I have seen in Years for good numbers of Laketrout and Chinook..
As the summer continues I do expect the Laker Bite to slow as these fish start staging for the fall spawn..This is the time to hammer away at just Below the State park in those hard to fish benches where these Laketrout spawn..The Laketrout is a Broadcast Spawner which means that they do not make a nest, they use a Rocky structures to hide there eggs and this is why just above the Monument is a great location to find these mature fish in the fall..these fish can be down right tough to get to bite because they are not focused on feeding they are focused on spawning so you have got to be patient and keep your presentations in the fish..You have to make them angry which in turn they will hit out of aggression. Persistence is the Key..Tight Lines to all and good Luck out on the water…Be Safe…
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August 1st, 2009
If you have a chance you should head to Lake Chelan and try for these Laketrout..The smoke from our recent fire didn't seem to affect the Laketrout Bite at all..
The fishing here has been the best I have seen in a long time with my boat averaging 12 or more in a 4 hr boat..Bait of choice has been whole herring trolled deep on the bottom and also a strip of Pikeminnow has been very productive..
Troll for these fish off Mack Bar and Minneapolis Beach in the mornings and then drop into the deep spots off Rocky Point as it starts to get hot ...trolling speeds between 1.2 and 1.5 have been the best for Chinook and the Lakers..
My tip here is that if something is not working By god we have got to fix it right now..I know that there is Guides and fishers out there that get stuck in a routine and don't want to change either with what there fishing with or location..My Father taught me along time ago that "IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED YOU KEEP ON SUCKIN UNTIL YOU DO SUCCEED":)..I guess what I am getting at is do not be afraid of Change..It will make you more successful while fishing our Gem, Lake Chelan..Tight Lines to all and good luck. Pictured is Lynn Allen (Grandpa) and son Brent with Aiden with a nice haul of Laketrout..Aiden caught 9lb. 12 oz. Laketrout all on his own..Thanks to Lynn Allen and Family..
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Week ending July 24th 2009..July has been the best month that I have had in Years here on Lake Chelan for numbers of Laketrout and Chinook..Mornings have been the best bite but evenings have been productive also.
Lower Basin of Lake Chelan has been the key for me trolling in depths of 160ft to 240 ft. Keep your Bait or lure next to the bottom at all times to be most productive..I have caught most fish on Strip baits and herring over this month but I have been picking up fish on a new spoon By SilverHorde . The 4 Kingfisher Lite has been very productive over this reporting period.
I have had numerous calls this week on where I am targeting these Laketrout and Chinook…I have caught fish at every location I can think of this last week..The Mack Bar is loaded with fish as well as the Trench off Rocky Point..Minneapolis Beach has been a great go to spot after the bite slows on the Bar..
Just a reminder to all to be safe at all times when operating Personal Watercraft and to give plenty of room to all..Also I would like to add that when operating these watercrafts and you see a fishing boat on Chelan to steer clear. I believe the rule is 100ft..
Tight Lines to all and good Luck on the water…..
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Week ending 7/12/09…
Well all I can say is that the Laketrout Fishing is on fire here on Lake Chelan..I have been averaging in the morning trips way above my normal average and also I am still mixing in a Chinook here and there..
I have been targeting these fish off Pat and Mikes at first light and gradually dropping into the trench off Rocky Point as the day progresses..I am finding these fish are biting bait better than the normal Flatfish and spoons..Also I have been hitting Mack Bar hard for those stubborn double digit size Lakers..A Trick here that I have found a lot more productive was to Speed up when I saw fish in the strike zone instead of slowing my speed..Made the bait or lure look like it is trying to get away which triggered the instinct of the Laketrout to strike.
Tip of the week that I found very productive was to continually adjust my speed to produce doubles and triple hook ups..
Boy all I got to say is that I am blessed to be a guide here in our Valley..These mornings have been outstanding not only fishing but the beautiful views and Mother Nature has been very kind to me..Tight lines to all and Good luck..
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Need more info?
Have a question about fishing on Lake Chelan or Rufus Woods? Email me or call me and I'll be glad to answer your questions.