Upper Columbia Guide Service - Founded and operated by Shane Magnuson, Upper Columbia Guide Service has offered outdoor enthusiast and first time anglers alike the ultimate experience since 2004. Hard work and dedication takes fishing and hunting to another level, and that is something we pride ourselves on. We provide a premier guided fishing and hunting service, and that is what makes memories! Year round opportunities depending on seasons for Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Steelhead, Walleye, Kokanee, and Lake Trout.
I'm not sure if it was rseas or Quadfather who said it in an earlier report, but after finally getting up there, I think I agree that this is my new favorite lake, at least on the West side! It is a nice, rustic, woodsy feel, even with the houses around the lake. There were a couple of boats in front of me at the launch, both were families out for a fishing outing. With my Arima, I also brought waders to minimize the need to beach the boat.
I started trolling left, West, from the launch, kind of out towards the middle. I have a 2 pole endorsement. On one side I started with a Flashlite string of blades followed by a silver spoon. On the other, a 4/0 dodger with an orange wedding ring. Set the orange at 26 feet and the spoon at 18. Changed the spoon to a red wedding ring and 4/0 dodger later.
Ended up doing a donut or two as I tried to keep the boat straight with the action and light wind, but really only ended up taking one pass down the lake towards the islands. I ended up with 3 kokanee to about 13 inches and 2 beautiful cutts. I released 3 smaller fish and probably lost another 7 or 8. The cutts came more shallow than the kokes. It was hard to see hits on the downriggers, even with my light clips and long leads. I think with the colder water, the fish aren't as fiesty as the kokes at Lake Stevens.
In all I had a very enjoyable trip. Well worth the drive.
Whoo hoo! Glad to hear some people are getting up to this nice lake. You are def. right about difficulty seeing the fish while your in the clip. Forget about them taking it out themselves. I have to watch for the tiniest amount of change within the vibration of the rod tip. I know you said beautiful cutts. There colors,spots are nice, but I found them to be strangely skinny with large heads. Looked like they weren't getting enough to eat. When I fillet a couple for the smoker, the meat was too soft to really deal with. Thanks for your report.
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Upper Columbia Guide Service - Founded and operated by Shane Magnuson, Upper Columbia Guide Service has offered outdoor enthusiast and first time anglers alike the ultimate experience since 2004. Hard work and dedication takes fishing and hunting to another level, and that is something we pride ourselves on. We provide a premier guided fishing and hunting service, and that is what makes memories! Year round opportunities depending on seasons for Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Steelhead, Walleye, Kokanee, and Lake Trout.
