I had obligations in the morning, so I decided to try the afternoon. I did not have time to locate a partner, so today was a great day to experiment and try new methods and locations. I did catch 13, lost at least that many, with fish averaging about 18". I did not catch any real monsters, but the fish were pretty good. All fish were Browns today, not a single Rainbow.

The coldest water I found was ~39.5, with the warmest only 43. Most of the lake seemed to be only about 40.5 degrees. I suspect that it had been warmer, but we had experienced quite a wind today so I suspect it was mixing the colder deep water with the warmer surface water. The water is dropping with reduced outflows. The green algee high water marks were about 6 or 7 inches above the existing water. The green and browns aglees are starting to grow, so expect the shore to get slimey soon.

I found that the fish started to hammer my offerings, but miss the hooks, the later in the day and the lower the sunlight. I suspect that water is sufficiently muddy that the fish are having a hard time feeding by sight. My advice would be to try to use lures with noise (my preference), or to fish with bait. Keep in mind the rules for counting all trout caught when using bait. I know of one boat that had 5 fish and they were trolling with flashers. I believe that the has only about 2 feet of clarity. At the launch, I was not able to see the bottom when I was loading my boat, and my boat wheels are not 24" tall.

Now, I know people get tired of hearing my warnings about this lake, but please stick with me for a moment. People should always have their required safety items on boad, to include a fire extinguisher, flares, horn, etc. Three poor guys in a 12' boat were almost to the dogleg when I was fishing about a quarter of a mile upwind. I heard, well more like felt something that I took for hearing, what sounded like someone was excited. I was ready to move toward the inlet, so I decided to go by the only other boat I could see. As I got closer, the guys on the boat stood up and started to wave their life jackets. It turned out that their motor had died on them and their oars were just not cutting it. I had seen the boat for some time and I thought they were drift fishing the middle. It turns out they had been trying to get to shore for over an hour with the oars. IF they had continued the route they were drifting, they would have been in cliffs for a long time. IF they had flares on board, or an air horn or whistle, perhaps they might have made contact with me sooner. Fortunately I was able to tow them back to the launch. But, FYI, it was a good reminder. I double checked to make sure I have all my stuff on board as well after that.

poacherpatrol

4/12/2009 5:25:00 PM

Thanks for the reminder about boating safety-one can never be too safe or too prepared. Check out this website for more info on boater education: http://www.parks.wa.gov/boating/boatered.asp and this free WA approved boating safety course: http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/ReviewPages/BoatUSF/Project/section0x.htm

gonefishing2

4/13/2009 9:21:00 AM

Ive got a small boat also and had it out on rock once. The lake was mirror smooth so i went out it seemed ok untill some fast wind picked up then my electric motor died, wire for foreward reverse got melted not sure why, loose fitting water maybe I managed to hot wire the switch waited for the wind to die down and made it out. That lake is a great one but the weather ghanges so fast there. I like that lake alot but if your on a boat you really got to be on your toes. I also agree 100 % with the new boater classes, although i dont know any body eles that does.

Anglinarcher

4/13/2009 10:01:00 AM

I'll be honest, I have mixed feelings about the boater education courses. It reminds me about a class my employer wants me to take. My question to him was do you want me to take it or teach it? Like the work class, I have been boating my whole life, in 6 states, so I know the laws and when I bought my boat I made sure I had all the required items. Still, 7 years of not needing them means that I had to locate which hiding spot they have been relocated to. Would a class have changed that - no. Most boat issues are the direct result of drinking, and the resulting poor judgment. Will a class change that - no. Still, having said that, there are indeed a lot of people that don't know the rules or safety precautions that can save their lives. So I guess I am going to have to choke down my pride and take the class - and I promise not to offer to teach this one instead (LOL).

Rozman

4/13/2009 9:12:00 PM

Good to always do a risk assessment prior to launching your boat on any given day!!

bigalhanna

4/26/2009 12:09:00 PM

We fished Rock all winter. The one thing I know is the weather can change in a heart beat if the wind comes up. A small boat with an electric motor won't cut it when the waves get BIG! Being prepared with the right equipment is a must. Boater education? I'm an old gezer and exempt. If we can save someone from drounding it's worth it however.
PS Caught lots of nice browns and rainbows......let those big guyes go to swim another day. The smaller ones taste better anyway.

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