Jones Sportfishing - We fish the Columbia and Snake Rivers for salmon, steelhead, walleye and sturgeon and our goal is a first class experience on these world class fisheries. We accommodate anglers of all skill levels and love to share our passion for the outdoors with our customers!
I arrived at the lake at 8:30 am, started off using a red/white daredevil spoon. Almost immediately caught a 8" tired old rainbow trout, carefully released. I missed a hit then nothing for 15minutes, so I switched to a gold castmaster, first cast, as I'm reeling I see a red flash in the water then fish on. I brought in a very beautiful 8" brook trout, big head small body, but,the coloration was the best I've seen, extremely vivid coloration pink spots with blue halos, bright royal red belly, with black/white fins, dark worm patterns on it's back, just beautiful. Wish I had a decent camera to capture it. After that I got a few missed hits and follows, then the action died, I did get 1 other short hook up, which looked like a cutt or bow. Water was clear 15' visibility, or better, no snow near shore, but there was snow that can be seen not far from the lake. I also attempted to hike into pass lake, but thigh deep snow blocked my way.I got the most action between 8:30-10:00 am, I left at 1:00pm. Weather was rainy and cold. I also tried pumping up a raft, and trolling with no luck, also tried flyfishing, I casted at rising fish, with absolutely no interest, I tried spider patterns, buggers, Carey special, gnat pattern, no luck with the 3 weight. the water was very cold, I bet it's better fishing around August-mid sept. After the water warms up a bit.
I like that lake for little brookies. I do usually fish it later in the summer, and I would describe it as much faster fishing at that time. Really glad to hear that you tried the hike into Pass lake, bummer about the snow. I had my daughter with me last summer, and she lost interest 3/4 way to Pass lake.
Independance lake, (trail head at the end of the dirt road, just up from Pass trail head).... This lake has put out larger rainbows in previous years for me, larger than the brookies in Coal. Not sure how your raft packs/carries..? but it is only a short 1/2 mile into Independance. Good shore access on far end, but a little shallow. Approach has a log jam at outflow, which you can cast from into deeper water. Thanks for the Coal report!
Thanks for the info quad, I will put it to good use in a month or 2 :)
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Jones Sportfishing - We fish the Columbia and Snake Rivers for salmon, steelhead, walleye and sturgeon and our goal is a first class experience on these world class fisheries. We accommodate anglers of all skill levels and love to share our passion for the outdoors with our customers!