Captain Dave's Guide Service - Captain Dave will put you on Columbia River salmon - including Summer & Fall Chinook and Sockeye, and Lake Roosevelt Kokanee and Trout. Catching fish isn't just his passion - it's his lifestyle. Call Captain Dave to start planning your trip now!
Headed back up to Lake Tye to try for a few more trout to fill up my smoker. Arrived at about 7:45, lines in the water by 8:00. Only one fishing at the outset. Air temp a chilly 38 degrees, cloudy but not a breeze. Water temp at the shoreline was 44 degrees (warmed by 2 degrees since last here in early January). Began fishing with Fl. Orange Power Eggs on one rig (2' leader) and marshmallows and nightcrawlers on the other (3 1/2' leader). Nada for the first two hours, not even a nibble! Had been changing up on both rigs, different leader lengths, colors of PE, tried shrimp meat... nothing! About two hours in, tried something that has worked for me before... pinched off a 1 1/2" length of 'crawler and stuck it on the end of the hook, below two fl. orange PEs... Bingo! About fifteen minutes later, a hard strike and reeled in a bright, silver steelhead plant of 12 1/2" (2' leader). Twenty minutes later, another hard hit, this one spit the hook on the way in. Then, about 11:00, landed my second, another silver bullet of 12". It became obvious that the fish were hugging the bottom... no hits on any leader longer than 2"... and they liked the small bit of 'crawler with the PE. Throughout the afternoon I had numerous bites, lost several more fish on the way in, including the largest of the day (about 14") that came unbuttoned at the shoreline as I was reaching for it with the net... fish was dazed and sat in the shallow water for a couple of seconds, I scooped, hit the fish with the net's rim and she darted off! About 1:30 landed my third (13"), then at 2:30, my fourth, a twin of 13", and finally my fifth at about 4:15, another at 12 1/2". Every fish caught today and every bite came on the same bait configuration... two fl. orange PE and a 1" to 1 1/2" chunk of nightcrawler. The fish were biting softly, several times they removed the worm and didn't touch the hook. Most of the fish were caught with the hook in their upper jaw, not in their throats. Love watching the waterfowl on the lake all day, although the numbers were well below what I watched in early January, probably due to the fact that hunting is now over and the birds aren't driven from the fields. Watched numerous families of Trumpeter Swans flying over the fields to the west. Also two enormous flocks of Dusky Geese flew down the valley, going northward. Through the day I watched perhaps a dozen other fishermen come and go, saw only three other fish caught. One thing about winter fishing, it is a labor of love and of patience. The bite is slow, the fish are lethargic and good success takes time on the water. But the payoff is great... the fish are usually larger than their Spring plant counterparts, and a good days' catch is uniquely satisfying. The winter fish seem to be more selective as well. You have to keep trying different presentations until you find the right mix. Well, have about 20 trout in brine as I'm writing this, about five or six hours in the smoker tomorrow afternoon and my wife and I as well as friends and family will reap the benefit of choice Western Washington smoked trout!! Chowder, casseroles, dip... Yummmm!!! PTL!
That was a really nice report, with lots of details! I am looking forward to hitting Lake Tye maybe this weekend if the weather cooperates, although I heard it's gonna warm up pretty soon. Tight lines!
Stan, can you tell if Tye is a shallow lake? I suppose from your line angle, once tight after a cast from shore, would give some estimation of depth. Also, how accessible is the lake shore if using a 8ft pram to fish from?
MotoBoat... Great to hear from you! Tye Lake used to be, basically a swamp. Was dredged out to make the lake and park... that info from several "old-timers" with whom I've chatted in the past couple of years. Have been told that the lake is about 20' deep, uniformly. From my experience and how long it takes my weight to settle, I'm guessing more like 12' to 15' deep at the southeast shoreline where I do most of my fishing. There is a crude, gravel launch at that southeast corner of the lake, at the end of the parking lot. One can easily back a pickup, or even a small trailer to within 10' of the lake edge. A sign there warns people not to back all the way to the lake edge to launch, but the gravel does extend all the way to the lake and it is not a steep descent to the edge of the lake. Have seem many inflatable, canoes and small crafts launched from that spot. PTL!
Leave a Comment:
Flag
Why is this comment inappropriate?
Delete this comment? Provide reason.
Edit
Available Guide
Captain Dave's Guide Service - Captain Dave will put you on Columbia River salmon - including Summer & Fall Chinook and Sockeye, and Lake Roosevelt Kokanee and Trout. Catching fish isn't just his passion - it's his lifestyle. Call Captain Dave to start planning your trip now!
