Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service - We fish on Lake Chelan and other North Central Washington waters in year round comfort.
You catch them in COMFORT! Bring your family and/or friends out on our 24 foot Bayliner Ciera Express. For your comfort, it features: enclosed cabin; cabin heat; private/inside marine toilet; games and VCR for children; hot and cold running water available seasonally; stove; and a full line of safety gear. Families and couples are welcomed and encouraged to book our service. The boat accommodates a maximum of six.
Large parties are accommodated. We also offer lodging at our home through VacationinChelan.com for visitors to the Manson area.
I got out and fished Chitwood Lake with my brother in law for about 4 or 5 hours on Saturday from around 10am to 2:30pm. We were on the shore for the whole day and I was able to catch two Cutthroats during that time. The first was on a 2" silver sinking Rapala, and the second was on rainbow Power Bait floated about 3 or 4 feet off the bottom. The first fish was a bit slender at 11" long, but the second one was chunkier at 13". We tried a few different lures, including various roostertails, a gold spoon and a green and silver Kast Master. All in all it was a nice day, but I had anticipated that the fishing would be a little better. I look forward to giving it another try.
Natural baits are the most effective, worm on bottom or a single pautzki green label salmon egg On a size 10 octopus hook 4'-6' under a clear float is my favorite set up for lake chitwood. Small spinners spoons and flies do work, but are not as productive at that particular lake.
I fish other lakes in that area, but I had not heard of Chitwood. Can you tell me about the access? Is it a drive-up lake? I assume it would be a good lake to float tube, probably not much of a boat launch....... no surrounding homes? Thanks!
It is about a 2.5 mile walk (or bike ride) down a gravel logging road. As such, boats are not an option. I think a float tube would really help you do well at this lake. The lake is quite secluded, with the only signs of humanity being the road to get you there and what appears to be a gravel quarry a ways back down the trail. No houses anywhere near the lake.
Are these lakes open or closed ? You should let them litter fish go and get big, CR these lakes. Years ago we use to fish Hansen, past Chitwood. I've seen many fry in that out let stream.
if your pontoon boat had a wheel and you felt like pushing it to the lake, what is the gravel road like? its it pretty flat or would you be going up and down switch backs? i am thinking friday i shoulk punish myself and try it out.
There aren't any switchbacks to Chitwood. You may be able to make it, depending on how much strength you have to push the boat up hills and to hold onto it to keep it from careening down hills. However, knowing what the road is like, I wouldn't try it myself. Also, on Friday you will likely have logging trucks going up and down the road, and it is a bit narrow at some points. Easy enough for a person to stand off to the side, but not someone with a pontoon boat. There are also two gates you will have to go through which may be closed, and if so, you would have to lift the boat over them. A super determined person who is in fair to good shape could probably manage it, but you would really be working for it I think. All in all, I probably wouldn't try it, especially on a week day.
Thanks for the heads up, looks like i am going to try sunday, i am a glutten for punishment and reading your previous reports it looks like it would be worth the work.
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Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service - We fish on Lake Chelan and other North Central Washington waters in year round comfort.
You catch them in COMFORT! Bring your family and/or friends out on our 24 foot Bayliner Ciera Express. For your comfort, it features: enclosed cabin; cabin heat; private/inside marine toilet; games and VCR for children; hot and cold running water available seasonally; stove; and a full line of safety gear. Families and couples are welcomed and encouraged to book our service. The boat accommodates a maximum of six.
Large parties are accommodated. We also offer lodging at our home through VacationinChelan.com for visitors to the Manson area.