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Entiat Lake Report
Douglas County, WA

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02/22/2009
Bottom Fishing From Shore
Other
Fish Eggs
Orange
Hook & Bait
Noon
02/23/2009
4
1504

I went fishing today for the very first time for Steelhead below Wells dam with a friend. We were on the river at 11:00 am with outside temps running about 32 degrees, high clouds and light wind. The river was running high when we first arrived and dropped slowly over the next couple of hours. We fished walking the bank and my buddy just couldn't keep the fish off of his line. The area below Wells Dam is a selective gear rule fishery so we used single barb-less hooks with corkies, roe and a little bit of yarn tied into the egg loop of the hook. We bounced these rigs along the bottom. My buddy brought two Beautiful Native Steelhead to the shore and released them without harm. I am still learning and after I listened to my buddy and lightened up my weight a little to get a faster drift I was able to bring a fish to within about 20 feet of shore before it slipped the hook. I don’t know if the fish was a sucker or the next world record Steelhead but it sure made me feel good to at least hook into something. After the water dropped a couple of feet the bite was off. This was the first time that I’ve ever fished for Steelhead and I can understand why fishing for Steelhead can become an addiction. These fish are beautiful although today they didn’t seem to put up much of a fight. My friend said it probably had something to do with the water temperature running in the mid 30’s. I sure hope they don’t close the season down anytime soon.


Comments

blufin loui
2/23/2009 12:50:00 PM
Cool report on a local fishery, Big D. Nice pics too.
sounds like a good time at the waters edge.
Hope your next outing will put more fish on your line.
look forward to your next reports.
Big D
2/23/2009 5:38:00 PM
Hey blufin loui,
Thanks for your comments. You are right, it was a great day on the water. Like I stated above, I now understand how Steelheading can become an addiction.
Big Mike
2/23/2009 6:03:00 PM
on page 30 of the fishing regulations; Washington state defines selective gear rules as: Only unscented artificial flies or lures with one single point,barbless hook are allowed. up to a total of three artificial flies or lures containing single point barbless hooks may be used. BAIT IS PROHIBITED. If you are using roe and yarn in an egg loop, you are using bait. as a new commer to the sport it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the current regulations,as there are many and they change with every stream you fish. good luck be safe have fun.
Malottguy
2/23/2009 7:48:00 PM
Bait is allowed there. It is as an exception but still need to be be single barbless on the hooks, Check this link it explains about the exception. https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=704
Big D
2/23/2009 8:11:00 PM
Hey Big Mike,
Thanks for responding. If I didn't spend about an hour in preparation for Sunday’s trip on the phone Saturday talking with a friend that happens to be a Chelan County PUD biologist I would be worried about your comments. As it stands today (NO WORRIES) You are misinformed. I had to dig real deep into the regulations to find this little tidbit of information and I’m more than happy to share with you.
FISHING RULE CHANGE
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
November 5, 2008
Steelhead fishing to open on the Columbia River from Rocky Reach Dam up-river to Wells Dam
Actions: The Columbia River from Rocky Reach Dam up-river to Wells Dam will open to fishing for adipose-fin clipped hatchery-origin steelhead. Two (2) fish daily limit, 20-inch minimum size, selective gear rules, except bait, scent and motorized vessels allowed, night closure in effect. All other game fish gear rules do not apply during steelhead season.
Effective dates: One hour before sunrise on Nov. 6, 2008 until further notice
Species affected: steelhead
Location: The Columbia River from Rocky Reach Dam up-river to 400 feet below Wells Dam
Important Angler Notes:• Anglers are strongly encouraged to retain the first two adipose fin-clipped hatchery-origin steelhead caught. It is unlawful for anglers to continue to fish once the daily limit of steelhead has been retained. • Release any steelhead with anchor (floy) tag attached.• For all waters, any steelhead caught with an intact adipose fin must be released immediately and may not be totally removed from the water before release. Reason for action: The fishery will reduce the proportion of hatchery-origin steelhead on the spawning grounds, minimizing impact to wild steelhead and thus increase natural production.
Information contacts: Art Viola, District 7 Fish Biologist, (509) 665-3337, Bob Jateff, District 6 Fish Biologist, (509) 997-0316, Jeff Korth Region 2 Fish Program Manager, (509) 754-4624.

You can cut & paste this link and read for yourself. https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=704

If you have any more questions about the regulations please don’t hesitate to ask.
Thanks again.
Big D
Big Mike
2/24/2009 4:07:00 PM
ooooppppsss! looks like I'm the one who needs to check the regs better. thanks to both Malottguy and Big D for setting me straight on this one.I learn more from my brothers on Washington Lakes than anywhere else. I stand corrected. thanks for the rules link. tight lines guys.
CASHMERE CASTER
2/24/2009 10:16:00 PM
Hey BIG D
I hope they don't close this fishery either. I have an addiction to steelies (I have not caught one yet). I was in the exact same spot as you guys around 8am. Drove up from Wennatchee. I was casting pink worms with a little weight on the head. and Pautzke balls o fire on an egg loop . I fished there for two hours with nothin. The current was movin right along down stream of the dam. I thought steelhead liked calm water,so I moved on.Your buddy sitll pulled them out. WL Fishing EXPERTS will STEELIES bite in fast current or slow? I have always read they like calm water. I would realy like to catch my first steelhead this year any suggestions? I don't have a boat yet. Do I need to buy the real roe? tie on some yarn? Sucba dive after them?

Thank you from the GREEN HORN Cashmere Caster John P
Big D
2/25/2009 8:35:00 AM
Hey CASHMERE CASTER,
Thanks for your comments. I've heard that you have to spend up to 8 hours on the water in this area per fish. My buddy lives in Chelan and is down there every day so I guess it's starting to pay off for him. I figure that I've got to put in at least 5 more hours before I catch my first hatchery take home Steelhead and that's just fine by me. Good luck on your next trip. Maybe I'll see you down there.
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Website: Bud N Marys

Phone: (800) 742-7945