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Decided to say goodbye to 2011 with a day on our favorite body of water, and a nice day it turned out to be. A special day it was too, with my two ladies, and good thing, since fishing, os should I say catching, wasn't equally special.

We made a run to Split Rock after launching at Seven Bays and after struggling with frozen fingers getting the gear rigged, I was eager to get in the warm cabin. The plan was to make a run through our "spot" and see what we could shake out, then move if nothing. It takes about an hour to work the area, and at 50 minutes in I had a solid takedown.

The fish was sluggish, almost felt like a walleye, until it was in sight of the boat. After a short back and forth battle, Debbie slid the net under what would be my only trout for the day. Nice healty 2lb, 15oz RBT with really bright color. The skunk was off!

We fished the same area for another 45 minutes with nary a bite or strike, so we headed to Sterling Point. There were 5 other boats fishing Split Rock area when we left, and we passed another 3 before we got to Lincoln. There were 5 other boats fishing between Lincoln and Sterling Point, I guess a lot of other people had the same idea we did, including several bank anglers.

We started a troll south of Sterling Point, and not 10 minutes in Debbie had a takedown. It acted the same as the one I caught earlier, no real fight until it got close to the boat. When it was in range I scooped up a nice 1, 11oz RBT and what turned out to be our last fish for the day. I had two strikes after that, but they were on then off.

We fished, Split Rock, Sterling Point, and the stretch opposite Lincoln. Water surface temp was 47.1°, air temp was low 30s, trolling speed varied from 2.3 - 3mph, offering were various plugs and flies. The two we landed were caught on a Frisky Jenny Trick R Treat and the other on a Lennie Special (perch). Had one hard hit on a long lined Rip'n Minnow in perch, and another on the Trick R Treat. Typical setups, lead line out 150' and mono at 195'.

We saw no other boats netting any fish, and spoke with another couple that pulled in right as we were taking out and they were fishless for their efforts as well.

All in all still a nice day on the water!

G-Man

1/2/2012 11:33:00 AM

It would appear that the high pressure providing the east and west side of the state with this beautiful weather has had a negative effect on the bite. Also, it is getting to be that time of year when the trout are making their way to the spawning grounds, which adds to the task of finding biting fish. When do you start to pick up post spawn fish on Roosevelt? February is when we really start to see them in Lake Washington. Great report and good luck in the New Year!

hewesfisher

1/2/2012 11:41:00 AM

I think you're right G-Man, and told my wife the same on the way up to the lake. If we'd been going off a high pressure front to a low, I'd have been much happier, but we go when the weather and time permit. ;-) I'm not sure when the trout in Roosevelt spawn, but the one in the picture was a female and had nice roe sacks. I can't detect male or female by sight, so there was no way for me to know ahead of time. From my experience, trout fishing at Roosevelt typically stays "on" until late March or even early April. Looks like this year may be different. Good fishing to you too!

kevinbe

1/2/2012 2:42:00 PM

Thanks for the report Hewesfisher. Hopefully our forurnes chenge for the better this year.

charlie h.

1/2/2012 6:40:00 PM

Hewesfisher
Sound like a tough winter at Rosie , I've been holding off on going . I see that the water level has been rising , that seems to shut the bite off at Rosie . The spring run off , has taken it's toll on the fish . It's still nice to get out on the water !

Charlie

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