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Rock Lake Report
Whitman County, WA

Details

03/23/2009
Brown Trout
Morning
03/23/2009
3
6205

Took my father out to Rock today. Met up with Ryan (RAT Sports) and one other friend. I took my father in my boat and they took a separate boat.

Rock Lake showed us that you always have to respect it and take caution. Very windy day, not the worst I had seen it but it got pretty bad on the last half of the lake. It wasn't bad when we launched, but the further we got down the worse it got. Forecast showed it was supposed to die off as the day went on.... WRONG! Got worse. We fished at the far end for several hours landing a few fish around 16-18 inches and one 21" . We were waiting for the wind to die to make the run back to our good holes. Never happened. So finally we headed into the whitecaps and toughed it out. Met back with the other boat about midway down the lake and ducked against the bank to wait out the wind, warm up and compare notes. Wind started to let up so they headed to the far end and we worked back towards the launch. Stopped into one of our money holes and landed about 8 fish. Biggest went 23", Just about 4lbs. Wind picked up again, we got cold and called it a day.

The fishing action was not bad when we could actually fish where we wanted to. The wind made it extremely difficult and dangerous though. My warning to anybody who is planning a trip out there, be prepared, check the forecast (but don't always trust it) and don't be afraid to call it off if it looks bad. The launch never looks bad but it gets worse the further down the lake you go. Small crafts be careful. I have a 16ft Crestliner. It handled it fine just a little wet and cold. Anything less than that I would have been worried.


Comments

Anglinarcher
3/24/2009 9:54:00 AM
Thanks for the report, and the reminder. It scared me to death when I was out there last time and saw a 12' boat with 3 guys, overloaded, almost to the dog leg. Sure, they went back in time, but if they had waited 30 minutes longer we would probably have added three more people to the morgue. People, life jackets only help us to find your dead body when the water is this cold, be prepared!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bass Ackwards
3/24/2009 6:01:00 PM
I have never been on Rock.....Yet! Everything I have ever been told about it is exactly what you are warning about. This type of reminder is just what everyone needs to hear from time to time. I am fairly new to the boating aspect of fishing and am constantly researching the topic and asking questions. In talking to people I have been told time and time again that one of the most important things to keep in mind is that as soon as you become complacent and confident it's time to get off the water. The 'ol addage, "NEVER turn your back to the sea", comes to mind. It's good to hear these reminders because all to often we ignore that little nagging voice (no, not the wifes) telling us that something's "not right". Pay attention to it. You may never know if it saves your life but at least you're alive to wonder if it did. My buddie and I are planning to head to rock this Sat. for the first time (both of us) and I was wondering if you or anyone else would be willing to share info on general areas to keep an eye on. It sounds like the upper end is a go to area. Any others? Thanks again for being part of the public safety awareness voice. Tight lines to y'all. P.S. Anglinarcher..... Thanks again for your response and info on the Tribal Lands around the Spokane Arm. It is most appreciated. Tight lines.
Aaron
3/24/2009 6:02:00 PM
Bass Ackwards: Putting *** in a word to mask the original word is against our site policies, and totally unneeded. Please don't do it again.
bazzdude
3/24/2009 8:21:00 PM
Aaron, i did not see where he cused in his post, i am confused what you are talking about? Hey never used *** to cover up a word that i see. He used ..... that but not as a word. Just tring to clear up the air becasue i don't see where it is at. Anyhow, keep on posting all the good posts and pictures everyone.
Bass Ackwards
3/24/2009 8:30:00 PM
My apologies. It won't happen again. I had only used it to puntuate my point. I can only assume that it was edited out. Once again, my apologies.
Gone Fishin
3/24/2009 10:51:00 PM
Well areas to watch out for are all over. I just got a handheld GPS so I can mark them as I find them. There is a stretch on the south side of the lake just off the rock wall where there are rock pillards that come up VERY fast! If you approach them slow you can find them, you will notice the water color change, assuming that the water isn't too stained like it is getting. There are also some spots like this on the north side and I have heard about some but not found any on the far end of the lake. My suggestion to you would be to run the middle of the lake. If you are going to fish an area approach it slow and keep an eye on your depth. Most areas are fine but there are a few that can sneek up on you.
Anglinarcher
3/26/2009 11:15:00 AM
I'm taking Aaron out on Saturday, if he and the weather are still up to it. I will show Aaron as many things as I can find to help him update the map with warning symbols. Still, if we can pull this off, the warnings will only tell you the places I have found. Gone Fishin, how about e-mailing Aaron your GPS marks when you find the spots. This will help a lot for the HD maps you will be able to find in the Membership area.
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Jones Sportfishing

Phone: (208) 861-0654