Medical Status

[raffensg64]

Took my pups out for their usual walk at Medical Lake this morning. Milky looking, slowly deteriorating yet still solid ice from bank to bank. No open areas, even in the shallows. The Polar Bear Plunge area, near the beach/park, continues to re-freeze every night as the temps drop.

Anybody been out to Amber or Fourth of July lately?

[Cobra]

I went out to Amber, North silver and Medical Lake on Wednesday. Amber and Medical were solidly socked in with ice. North Silver had one or two areas where it looked like the ice was about gone. I'm ready to get out the ice augur and see if I can put the fly in the 8 inch hole from 30 feet. Who knows? Magic happens!

[Marc Martyn]

Well Cobra, that would certainly be good practice for your accuracy!:cheers: If you decide to do that, let me know and I will video tape the whole thing and I'll post it in the videos and title it "Frustrated & Desperate Fly Fisherman Cures Cabin Fever".:geek:

[raffensg64]

Well fellas, it looks like somebody got an early start on Medical....ice fishing, of course! Took the pups out again this morning. I found sled tracks leading onto the ice and about 8 holes drilled in the area immediately off the launch. It was cold enough to make ice last night. The lake's ice looked very solid and the Polar Bear Plunge area is still frozen. Everything was frosty and I was able to walk "cross county" around the lake...the crusted/frozen snow, still several inches in most places, easily supported my weight. Not a good sign at all...OUCH!!! I'd rather that warmer temps keep me confined to the walking trail. The only positive sign I saw was a small stream of melt water running running into the lake on the right side of the launch, causing some minimal, localized melting.

My first trip to Amber last year was March 7th...just don't see it happening this year. I saw a weather chart yesterday that compared this week's temps to this week's temps last year. Last year's daily highs ranged from 5-9 degrees warmer than what we are seeing this year, with overnight lows that remained above freezing.

Am going to Fourth of July on Wednesday. Will keep y'all posted.

[Marc Martyn]

Bummer about the poachers. I wish they would catch them.:rambo:

Thanks for the update, Raff.:thumright We will see you on the water in a couple of weeks.

[Lotech Joe]

You don't suppose those holes were put there by the WDFW doing some research do you? It's a nice thought but not very probable. It would be a nice video to see poachers, after having fallen through thin ice, rescued out of the ice water and into handcuffs.


WHOOPS, it just occurred to me, that lake is open to fishing now.

[raffensg64]

Yep, it is open now. And, to be honest, I contemplated drilling a couple holes of my own and dunking a blood worm pattern by means of an 18" jigging rod!!!

[Marc Martyn]

LOL Raff, you are hard core o:)

[raffensg64]

Marc, I'm not hard-core anymore...just hard-headed!!!

[Lotech Joe]

raffensg64,
Anything new on Medical Lake. It's been warm for a little while. But cold at nights. I need to go fishing so bad it hurts.

[Marc Martyn]

Me Too!!:cheers:

[raffensg64]

Nope - Take two anti-depressants and call me next week! It's still socked in. These overnight lows the past week are killing us. I never did make it out to Fourth of July....had a bad feeling that it'd be icy also. Amber will be our best early bet though. It's shallow south end will warm and melt first. Medical is just too doggone deep.

My gear has been checked, double checked and rechecked...three times over!!! This is killing me, too. Last year, March 7th, I got a bunch of fat Amber rainbows.

I still take my pups down to Medical nearly every morning. Will keep you guys posted as conditions improve.

[Marc Martyn]

Hold On!! I've got it!!!! This will work:cheers: :bounce:

http://www.neatorama.com/2007/11/01/sodium-disposal/

[raffensg64]

Yee-haw....that'll work! Just bring in a HAZMAT team and a couple WDFW trucks full of fresh trout and we are all in business!

Lake Lenore recovered, Amber would too!

-Raff

[Marc Martyn]

My pontoon boat is ready, sitting on the garage floor waiting for water........

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My pontoon boat is ready, sitting on the garage floor waiting for water........

Marc,

This one is geared more toward you. I will be returning to Gonzaga in August of 2008 and taking a full-load of college credits but still want to fish. I have a nice 4 piece fly-rod along with a sub-par reel. I'm new to this area (fishing wise) and would love to learn how to fish Amber, 4th of July, Hog Canyon, Medical, Williams, Badger, etc. from a seasoned angler, and you seem to be the guy. Granted, I'm only 22 and have fished mainly Lake Washington and Pine Lake on the Plateau...a far cry from the tranquil and serene waters of Amber Lake. I'm interested in learning how to fly fish successfully and do well. I've trolled buggers and wets and done really well at Margaret and Pine, but that's not dry fly fishing. I know you're the guy to learn from, and perhaps you could help me out. I will go ahead a PM you when I get a chance to learn more about this fishery from someone who knows more about it than I'll ever know. I'd like to eventually be a fly only guy and pass this on to my some-day-to-be-kids. I think fly fishing is an art, an appreciable art, that is so genuine and peaceful. I do have a raft with an electric motor, and I've yet to purchase a fly tube. I think I may get one for my birthday - do you have any suggestions for a fly tube? What's all involved? I look forward to meeting you and getting to know more about this wonderful, sustainable catch and release fishery.

[A9]

Speaking of fishing while at college, I bet there are some great trout and bass lakes in the hills here in Nor Cal...I should figure that out...

[Marc Martyn]

I would be very happy to hook up with you and help out. I'll look over what is on the market for float tubes and get back to you. I know that a lot of guys are using Fish Cats and really like them. I haven't looked at boats in a long time since I am so pleased with my pontoon.

Over here you will also meet many very nice guys that fly fish. This forum has brought several of us together while posting on it. Lotech, Raffensg64, Jim Lyons and many more are all over here and would be pleased to join up with you also.

I'm not one of those guys that keeps deep dark fishing secrets. I will share all information with you.

Looking forward to meeting you and having fun out on the water. You will love Medical, Amber and others:cheers:

[Marc Martyn]

Speaking of fishing while at college, I bet there are some great trout and bass lakes in the hills here in Nor Cal...I should figure that out...

Sam,

PM beresford13861 He lives in Ca. and I think has fished a lot in N. California. He would steer you in the right direction.

[A9]

Speaking of fishing while at college, I bet there are some great trout and bass lakes in the hills here in Nor Cal...I should figure that out...

Sam,

PM beresford13861 He lives in Ca. and I think has fished a lot in N. California. He would steer you in the right direction.

Good idea. I dunno where he lives in relation to me, and I'm not going to be able to get any tackle down this year and nor do I have a car, but next year I'll have a car and would like to do some fishing with the warmer temps we have....