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McDowell Lake Report
Stevens County, WA

Details

07/14/2010
Stationary Fly Fishing
Rainbow Trout
Nymph
Sinking/Floating Fly Line
All Day
07/14/2010
2
709

Slow day at McDowell compared to our last two trips. Still lots of fish marked in 22-24 feet of water over 27-28 feet of depth. Fished with bloodworms and other chironomids patterns at that depth with no results. Caught a couple 18-19 inch rainbows using a six pack under an indicator.
Very little wind on a nice sunny day. Surface water temp at 70 degrees. Saw cow moose. Refuge workers are working on the walking wildlife viiewing path that leaves the lake and continues around the NE side of the swamping area. Lake has a brown algea bloom but visability is still a couple of feet. Saw only a couple of chironomid and mayflys so no surface activity. We will return in August to try the deep water nymphing again. Refuge ranger checked our licenses and gear as we reached the camping parking lot which is the first time we have been checked in Washington for 30 years!


Comments

dbk
7/14/2010 7:52:00 PM
Thanks for the report on McDowell. Its good to hear your license was checked out there. I fished Bayley earlier this year and had my license checked there as well. They are trying it seems to help keep the poaching at a minimum. Just curious as to how you fished chiro's/nymphs at those depths- sounds as if you were using long leaders and slip indicators. Did you trying fishing nymphs off sinking lines or chiro's vertically using a fast sink line (type VI or VII)? I do not fish lakes much in July and August and am curious as to the techniques guys use to fish stillwaters when the water temps are elevated in the heat of the summer. I have read a few things Brian Chan has written about fishing algae blooms which were interesting in terms of how it impacts trout behavior. Good report. Tight lines.
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Bottom to Top Charters

Phone: (406) 321-0504