Snake Dancer Excursions - Sturgeon, Bass & Catfish fishing in Hells Canyon is best April through October. Fishing charters can be scheduled from one day to multiple days in our comfortable lodge and jet boats. Fishing Charters leave from Heller Bar Boat launch or Hells Canyon Resort and Marina to be determined at the time of reservations.
Enjoy a fun-filled trip through North America's deepest river gorge! We offer trips tailored for every age and thrill-level. It is no wonder we're #1 on Trip Advisor!
Greetings from the world's worst sportsman. Man, what a day. A friend of mine turned me on to a spot south of Cheney to do some turkey hunting. As it turned out, it was right near Chapman. I had been reading up a bit on this lake over the past couple weeks and was thinking it might be a good spot to try after trying Downs (and getting skunked) last Sunday for the first time. We did a quick drive-by of the "resort" this morning and then went and found our turkey spot.
So we hiked up into the woods, made several calls (hen, gobbler and crow) and heard absolutely nothing. We hunkered down for a couple hours, calling every 20-30 minutes and...nothing. Hiked back out; headed back to Cheney; got some breakfast (I highly recommend the #8 skillett at Willow Springs Station); and then went home where I took a short nap. Woke up when my wife and kids got home and asked my 7-year-old son if he wanted to go fishing. He said yes, so off we went for Chapman at about 3.
We were on the lake by 4 - and again I was targeting the big bass I was hearing about. Guy at the office said they just started biting last weekend. I got a nibble on about my 3rd cast...and another one on about my 300th...and that was it. I threw my crawdad Fatrap and that got the first nibble, threw a black worm and a couple different spinner baits - got the last bite on a small white one.
We also did some trolling for trout, using pop gear and a rainbow needlefish, tipped with a small worm on one rod and a green rooster tail (running shallow) on another - and got no bites. We saw a butt-load of little trout jumping all over the lake and when I say little, I mean 6 inches at most. I also saw one fish - either a small bass or perch follow my white spinner bait up to the boat. The highlight of our trip was seeing a river otter - which my son really got a kick out of.
Air temp was around 60, overcast and pretty windy. I don't get water temp on my fish finder. Talked to several boats on the water and heard that small rainbow and kokanee were being caught as well as perch and crappie. One guy showed me his stringer which had about seven 7-9" trout on it (why were you keeping those, dude??) and I saw a couple other guys catching what looked to be even smaller perch from a distance. We were on the water at 4 and pulled out at about 8:30.
This is a REALLY nice, rustic lake but I'll need to see some good reports on it before I go back.
This is my second weekend in a row at a smalI Spokane County lake know for good bass fishing. It was very windy both times. Is this why they weren't biting or do I just suck at this? So guys and gals, help a struggling fella out - I can't handle getting skunked for a third outing in a row!! Where should I go in (or near) Spokane County for some largemouth action? Rock? Eloika? Anyone?? Beuhler???
There are lots of lakes to choose from. Like Silver, Clear,Elioka,Diamond,Davis,Loon,Deer,and my favorite being Jump Off Joe I've pulled lots of 3 to 4 pound fish and one 5 pouder out of there this year. Also Liberty and Newman are good to.
I haven't fished Chapman Lake since about 1989. At the time, a "salt-and-pepper" smoke-colored plastic grub bounced down along the rocks would pick up SMALLMOUTH bass, especially at the north end of the lake. I agree that Chapman has a rural charm to it, but fishing then wasn't that great either.
Eloika Lake has some largemouths in it. I had the best largemouth fishing day in my life throwing a plastic worm right ON THE GRASS of the north banks, and dragging the worm down into the water where largemouths were holding tight next to the banks. There are lots of lily pads in the south end of Eloika, but you'll have to use heavier line to wrestle bass out of that cover.
Don't sell Downs Lake short.Check the weather and on a calm day try Downs again. Tons of bass were hitting spinner baits during pre spawn, now they are nesting try lizards or anything that they don't want in their nesting area(fish them slow). In a few weeks when the water warms and spawning is mostly over throw buzz bait, poppers,and perch pattern rapalas. Late summer when the weed bed fill in around the shorelines try scum frogs and rats. throw them on top the weeds and twitch them back to you. With this method most fish are never hooked because when you see the weed bed explode from underneath most people jerk before the fish has the bait. Also July and Aug. the perch fishing at Downs is unbelievable. When you get to the resort if the flag is straight out that is perfect time to get to know the resort locals, they all know the lake and will share tips.
Good stuff, Bob! I reported on Downs last week and I chalked up my bad day to the high winds. I definitely plan on going back - just not when the wind's blowing. Great tips, though. Thank you!
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Snake Dancer Excursions - Sturgeon, Bass & Catfish fishing in Hells Canyon is best April through October. Fishing charters can be scheduled from one day to multiple days in our comfortable lodge and jet boats. Fishing Charters leave from Heller Bar Boat launch or Hells Canyon Resort and Marina to be determined at the time of reservations.
Enjoy a fun-filled trip through North America's deepest river gorge! We offer trips tailored for every age and thrill-level. It is no wonder we're #1 on Trip Advisor!