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Lenore Lake Report
Grant County, WA

Details

04/20/2008
Rainbow Trout
Streamer
Pink
Floating Fly Line
Afternoon
04/21/2008
5
937

Amazing day on the lake. 20 fish just by myself! My father and two uncles were with me. My dad didn't catch any and neither did one of my uncles. My other uncle caught four.

Lenore is an interesting lake this time of year. I for some reason have a knack for it. Every year I go at the same time and pull out about twenty fish per day.

The important thing to know is that the fish are spawning at this time. They are not interested in normal flies. I use a bright #2 Pink wooly worm and it works every time. Variations of purple and yellow also work well. Fish from the shore, do not cast out into the water but along the shore and retrieve back to yourself. (Wade out about 5 - 8 feet from shore) If you have some polarized sunglasses you will be able to see the fish swimming within ten feet of you. Do not try to catch these fish they can see you and will not bite.

Another thing to remember is that spawning fish do not rise to a fly, but violently attack it. Every hit you get will be based on reaction. Basically they are not feeding but reacting.

A slow retrieve with quick rod twitches work the best, use a floating line and let the fly sink a little bit, a beaded head also improves success because the fish are on the bottom. The fish are finally starting to get bigger in this lake, about five years ago there was a big kill. The lake used to have 10 - 16 pound trout pulled out of it. The average size fish I caught was 24 inches and fairly fat. The fish are cutthroat lahontan and are the only fish in this lake. This is an alkaline lake.

I would recomend hitting the shoreline until you can see the fish swimming close to shore.

I will get pictures shortly, my father has the camera. The lake is catch and release only. June 1st is when you can keep one. Also, I was stopped by a ranger and asked to see my license and to see if I was using the right gear. He checked my barb and luckily it was pinched. They check lenore, dry falls, and jameson religiously. good luck


Comments

Anglinarcher
4/21/2008 4:11:00 PM
Well done. You might also try a small glow bug, or other egg imitator, sinking of course, and a strike indicator. I have caught similar behaviour in other bodies of water during the spawn and they just hate seeing an egg exposed. They will "eat" it, even during the spawn.
eustace
4/21/2008 5:55:00 PM
Vary cool, glad to hear someone is hitting them. I had luck this time of year, years ago (late 80s) in there using a streamer ( Red/Orange colors a cut im).

I like anglinarcher's suggestion also, it makes complete sense.
panfisher
4/21/2008 8:18:00 PM
sounds like a great day of fishing. this time of year is really great for these fish. i used a yellow marabou jig and just slayed them back in the 80's. they averaged 28-30" at that time and 20 fish days seem to be the norm.
Rabbits
4/22/2008 2:44:00 PM
that is very interesting, anglinarcher, but makes alot of sense, I will try that out next time i am over there.
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Austin's Northwest Adventures

Phone: (509) 668-0298