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I've had some great days fishing on Lake Goodwin, but this might have been my best morning there as far as action and fish quality. I was at the gate right as the ranger opened it up to the launch. By the time I was in the water and had lines down, it was probably 7:30. Out of the launch I headed north. Almost immediately after getting both lines down, one line started bouncing with a fish on. Got that one to the net, and just as I got that line back down, the other line starts bouncing with a fish on. As I am reeling in that one, I am contemplating releasing it as part of the reason I fish is just to spend time on the water. I wanted on and off quickly to beat the water hooligans, but I wanted to at least spend some time. Just as I get the net in the water, the fish spit the hook. Well, that answered that question, I was releasing it! 5 minutes into fishing, and 2 on already.

The action didn't stay that hot, but it did stay hot. After putting 2 more in the cooler, my line goes down hard. Free the line from the clip, and with the first feel of the fish I know it's not the 15-16 (great fish) fish I have been catching. This is bigger. After a few nice jumps and runs, I am able to net the fish, and I had to use both hands to lift it into the Hobie. 22 inches and 3.41 pounds. A great fish. As I am putting that one on ice, I could see the other line had a fish on, but it was acting a little weird. While bringing the big fish in, he pulled the Hobie into slightly shallower water. While I do like to troll bottom, I got a bit too close this time as on the line as what looked to be a 13-14 inch smallmouth.

I then went catch and release for the next 4 fish, then decided to go ahead and finish off my limit as I wanted to be at the dock and out of the water before the line up to launch started. Got my 5, all 15-16 inches with the exception being the 22 inch fish. Released 4, 1 self released right at the net, and had a few drive by's that didn't stick.

Magic this morning was a size 4 olive Woolly Bugger and a size 6 green Doc Spratley, both 16-18 inches of leader behind Mack's Double D Dodgers. I fished 1 line at 15 and the other line 20-25 feet down. Speed was 1.25 - 1.5mp to get strikes. If I noticed I hadn't been bit in 10 minutes, I would look at my speed and see I had crept over 1.5, slowed down, and would get bit again. Fish didn't seem to prefer one over the other. I always check the stomach contents of the fish when I clean them, and since I was at the lake last 2 weeks ago to this morning, the fish have switched off insects and are absolutely gorging on what I believe to smallmouth fry. I've included a picture of them as well as the 22 inch fish had what looks like was a 3 inch perch in his gut.

I just might have to risk it on the 4th and see if I can't get in and out before the revelers show up in mass. Video shows some of the action from this morning.

cobrar543

7/3/2017 8:22:38 AM

I know I'm turning into a junkie on these videos of yours. LOL. TY for sharing. Could you take a close up of the flies your using? Would help match them for me.

JoshH

7/3/2017 9:13:04 AM

I will email to you a set of pictures.

JoshH

7/3/2017 9:40:23 AM

That didn't work like I thought. PM me your email address and I'll send you some pictures, of just flies I promise! :)

ElginFishing

7/3/2017 8:27:37 AM

Awesome job Josh!
Great video and report, looks like you had a blast. Way to bring the big one in!!!

JoshH

7/3/2017 9:14:58 AM

Thanks! Normally I am expecting to have to put my time in, that morning I was scrambling trying to figure out how to get more time in :) Always fun landing a 20+ inch fish.

JoshH

7/3/2017 9:33:29 AM

Thanks! Normally I am expecting to have to put my time in, that morning I was scrambling trying to figure out how to get more time in :) Always fun landing a 20+ inch fish.

Anonymous

7/3/2017 10:08:05 AM

I know those fish taste ok but do you really feel that healthy after eating one?

JoshH

7/3/2017 10:10:44 AM

Ummm.... what?

JoshH

7/3/2017 3:25:47 PM

Goodwin gets water quality studies done every year. https://snohomishcountywa.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Lake-Goodwin-125

The lake is healthy, as are the fish. Zero concerns. I know you have mentioned whip worms being in the fish before, in all of the fish I've caught there over the years, exactly 1 fish had them. Compare the water quality there to the many various bodies of water people harvest from. This would be why I am not understanding the question. Yes, I feel perfectly healthy after consuming fish from there.

JoshH

7/3/2017 3:44:18 PM

Goodwin gets water quality studies done every year. https://snohomishcountywa.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Lake-Goodwin-125

The lake is healthy, as are the fish. Zero concerns. I know you have mentioned whip worms being in the fish before, in all of the fish I've caught there over the years, exactly 1 fish had them. Compare the water quality there to the many various bodies of water people harvest from. This would be why I am not understanding the question. Yes, I feel perfectly healthy after consuming fish from there.

ONCOfisher

7/3/2017 10:22:52 AM

Josh that's a BEAST! congrats!

JoshH

7/3/2017 10:37:09 AM

Thanks!

cobrar543

7/3/2017 7:32:11 PM

cobrar543@yahoo.com

JoshH

7/4/2017 12:03:44 AM

Email sent Cobrar

FishingTenor

7/4/2017 1:08:22 AM

Hey Josh Impressive catch on Goodwin! I went there twice last year but to no avail. Getting used to my boat and downrigger setup last year. Might have to give it a go again. I did very well on nearby shoe craft. Funny how one can be the master at a lake then nothing at another lake. I guess that is fishing, as they say. Anyway, you are the master of Goodwin.

JoshH

7/4/2017 9:23:17 AM

Thank you. Don't know if I have mastered that lake, but the fish there are picky and it did take me putting a lot of time in on the lake to figure out what I have. There is so much natural feed in the lake and the fish are planted differently than most lakes so they are in the lake much longer before they really get fished. Great quality fish though and worth getting figured out.

JoshH

7/4/2017 9:49:47 AM

Thank you. Don't know if I have mastered that lake, but the fish there are picky and it did take me putting a lot of time in on the lake to figure out what I have. There is so much natural feed in the lake and the fish are planted differently than most lakes so they are in the lake much longer before they really get fished. Great quality fish though and worth getting figured out.

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