We finally got to the lake to start our 2009 season.

Deb said she would like to try ice fishing if I could find a safe place for her to feel comfortable. As our winter has been on the chilly side this year we do have some ice for a change. I found a new lake last summer and wanted to check it out. This is another small lake around 50 acres is all, but I thought it had potential for ice fishing. We arrived at the lake and parked the ole Dodge on the ramp and I walked out about 100 feet or so and drilled 3 holes. I dropped the aqua-View down and saw a few Trout in the area so that is where we decided to start. We hadn't been there but a few minutes and I got a bite. Well this looks promising I thought to myself. Then the little bugger hit again. Big mistake as I was ready this time and brought a nice Perch up through the hole. I picked up 5 Perch in no time at all and my little wife was giving me the look because she had not had so much as a sniff. Being the kind of guy that I am, I switched holes with her. After just a bit of time I see her set the hook and lift a 12 inch Rainbow up and out of the hole. We ended the day with 10 Rainbows and 4 keeper Perch. All of the fish hit the same baits and the action was steady, we only spent a couple of hours on the ice. We caught a bunch of small Perch that we put back in hopes that they would grow for next year. We used 4 foot Micro lite rods with 4 lb test, Trilene XL. The baits were 1/64th oz Northland ice jigs tied with a 3/4 inch piece of mono to the bottom of a 1/8th oz KastMaster Spoon tiped with a Jennson egg. 

Nice start to the 09 season. I had a good start too. A few of my Navy friends when to Rufus Woods. We caught 11 fish total, the top three went 5.5, 3.75 and 2.5 pounds. the rest were 1-1.5 pounders and all were very nice and beautiful looking trout. Hoping to head back over there next month for a short trip.

Jeremy a.k.a. Cletus U.S. Navy-Go Navy, Beat Army!!! NAFC LM, NAHC LM, NRA LM

Trip # 2.

We headed out again today and hit the same lake.

As we pulled off the main road and got about 3 miles in we spotted 3 Mule Deer, a doe and 2 yearlings. They wintered well.

 We got down to the lake and saw that it had been hit hard since last time we were there. Lots of tracks and new holes. The sun was high and warm and the ice was a moanin and groanin. The bite was slower than it was but we did each  get a limit of Rainbows. The day time temps are starting to rise and it looks like we are done ice fishing for this year. We did not get any Perch this week and the bows ran from 8 to 14 inches. Same rig as last week.

Hi there Salmonking,

Rufus woods has been putting out some nice ones for sure but I think its on the down side from a few years ago. Since they got new people to run the net pens, they aren't losing as many.

Yellow Bear, I would have to agree with you there. I have been looking at the photos taken with in the last two years posted on washingtonlakes.com and you can see the difference in sizes, number and qualituy of fish. I myself am happy to catch that 1 1/2 to 4 pounder. I am not sure what I would do if I landed one that was over ten!!! Hoping the weather warms a little for my trip back over there next month.
Jeremy a.k.a. Cletus U.S. Navy-Go Navy, Beat Army!!! NAFC LM, NAHC LM, NRA LM

glad to see you're catching them, Yella Bear

Hope all is well at your house Pillman.

Glad to see you are still around.

YellowBear,

Where is the hot bite in your area. I am making trips and taking a person fishing, hardly gets out.

Jeremy a.k.a. Cletus U.S. Navy-Go Navy, Beat Army!!! NAFC LM, NAHC LM, NRA LM

Salmonking,

The lake we have been fishing is Canal but we have not been down there for a couple of weeks. I am not sure if the ice is still safe.You could try the Winchester waistway or Frenchmans for Perch and Walleye. I am going to wait until the ice is off and then hit Potholes.

Well, the trip has been postponed for two weeks. I will check in with you via pm to find out how the waters are. I will have a boat in tow since we will be coming from Rufus.
Jeremy a.k.a. Cletus U.S. Navy-Go Navy, Beat Army!!! NAFC LM, NAHC LM, NRA LM

Jeremy When you make it over I can take you up to Rat or Green lakes too if you want Rat may still have good ice as it is shadowed real well on the end people fish most.

Robert,

I am not looing for ice, I think that is some gear that I don't have. Just looking for water to launch the boat or fish from shore. I fished Moses once, in 2000 maybe 2001- too many trips enbetween. I would like to catch a few more eyes out of there. Jig and worm seemed to work great and so did the baby rattle trap.

Jeremy a.k.a. Cletus U.S. Navy-Go Navy, Beat Army!!! NAFC LM, NAHC LM, NRA LM

We finally got the boat on the water yesterday, man it felt good to be back.

The water level on Soda had dropped around 2 feet and the fishing was tough, I mean tough. Not a bite in 4 hours of fishing this is not the way I wanted to start the year off but we can only improve from here, lol.

 

Water temp was 53 to 55 & clear.

Air temp was in the high 60s with a slight wind.

Baits used were homemade jigs.

Mr Twister curlytails.

Kalin Curlytails.

Rapala Shad-Raps.

Well YellowBear,

Atleast your 2009-2010 has started. I am still waiting to go buy my lic. for this season. I had put it off because I was not sure what the Navy was going to do with me and the situation I was presented. Now that I know that I am going to be here for this summer and the start of next years. I can now start planning my trips and get back to my fishing.

Jeremy a.k.a. Cletus U.S. Navy-Go Navy, Beat Army!!! NAFC LM, NAHC LM, NRA LM

Yesterday we found fish but had to make it a short day. The weather was a bit chilly but the fish were hitting pretty good. We found the Walleye at 18 to 38 feet. Water temp had droped to 50 degrees and the water level had gone down a foot or so. We used homemade jigs in Chartruce with a crawler trailer. We found the fish in the first spot we tried and gave them heck for a hour or so, then we decided to move on and thats when we discoverd we were taking on water. I decided to load the boat and see If I could locate the leak and fix it at the lake. The leak was in the livewell gate and needed a new one to fix, so it was a short day. On the upside of this story, we will be having fish and chips this evening.

Got back on the lake last Saterday and it was a very nice day with temps in the 80's and a slight breez. The fix on the livewell was a success but the ole trolling motor was on its way out. Must be time for a new one. after 12 years i guess I got my monies worth, lol. We tried for Walleye but without the MinKota, I was a bit handicapped. We did catch Smallmouth but nothing big. Water temp 66 Air temp 80's Baits Homemade jigs and curly tails

Hey there Brad, you ole hound dog!  I hope all is well with you and Deb!  Things are busy here for Karen and me.  Trying to get the house ready to put on the market in the spring.  We want to down size, something all on one level.  Knee surgery is planed for me in December...Probably again in March.

 

How's that suspend R I sent ya working?  I hope it works well!  I have noticed a lack of reporting since May!   Welp, stay well, friend!

 

 

 

LM since 2005 Bushwacker Deputy Sherif from S.E. Pa.

Howdy there Pete.

We had some motor trouble this year and did not get to fish much. Back in May after we fixed the livewell, I found a gas leak that had ruined all of the wire insulation on the power head, we were very lucky that it did not catch fire. Then work kicked into high gear and I did not have the time to fix it until October. I rewired the power head and fixed the choke and got everything ready to go and it turned cold. Deb and I did get it out one time and we caught 25 Smallmouth, she whooped me that day with the most and biggest, lol. So we are looking for next season to get here so we can catch up. I have caught a few fish on the Suspend-R and I think of you with evey one.

Give Karen a big hug.

Good luck with your surgery.

PS, could you E-mail me your Mailing addy?

Life member N.A.F.C. A.M.I. Washington State. Good luck and be safe.

PM sent, Brad!

 

 

LM since 2005 Bushwacker Deputy Sherif from S.E. Pa.

Last season was a total bust for us.

This season will be better.

The motor is fixed and running better than ever.

The leaking livewell holds water and a new pump is hooked up and ready.

We took a few hours a couple of weeks ago and tried to find some Walleye and Crappie but no good.

As soon as we start putting some fish in the boat we will start a 2010 season.

Hopefully it will be more entertaining than 2009,lol.

I hope you all have a lip rippen season and be safe.

 

 

 

 

Life member N.A.F.C. A.M.I. Washington State. Good luck and be safe.

Howdy Brad! Took a year or two off but will be on the water again this year. looking forward to a good year for a change.