Hello everyone in the WL fishing world
Went up river from Chief Joe on Thur 10/23/08 with fishing buddy (wife Cindy) to the third net pen. (Thanks Chris for the detailed info on the area). We didn't arrive at the pens till 0730ish, got a slow boat, but no one around but the wildlife. We utilized the electric trolling motor to move about, enjoyed a glorious sunrise, beautiful scenery, and calm, clear waters. We had the area to ourselves until the hatchery employees came up to feed the net fish. The workers were friendly and informative--sharing info on the best places to catch large fish, and area info. We fished the "Pellet Fly" (my rendition anyway) in three shades of brown from the surface down to about 10 feet or so. Zero fish! Talk about being in the right place at the wrong time, We didn't see any fish nor receive a bite. We then switched back and forth between "our" fav and the pellet flies with no luck. No one else fishing at this time still. We fished on both sides, below, even above the pens, and out to the hump in the middle of the river. I've never fished water that looked so good. Again, thanks Chris for the detailed info, for the hump could sneak up on the unsuspecting boater. The conditions were such that you could see the food pellets floating down at various depths, but still no visible fish. We fished the area around the pens til about 11:00 then headed down river. Fished a couple points on left side of river while going down to the middle pen with success. Fish up to 4 lbs. but no keepers yet.
The middle, 2nd, pen was more active (mid day by now) with fish visible and several boats of "bait" fishermen (who were catching a few). Caught some fish on the Pellet fly in dark color, and more on our fav lures. Still nothing very weighty. From there we went down to the lower, 1st, pen. Started fishing above the pen and drifted, electric troll motored down and around pens. Picked up more fish on the above offerings. Saw a 10 lb plus fish here, but not at the end of the line. Still a very slow RW day. From there we motored down to "Cabin Hole" catching a few, and the wind was producing considerable chop. Then on down toward "Pump #3" where again we picked up several more smallish fish. Chris, I caught Yellow Perch on the pellet fly along the weeds in this area. Ended up filleting out 14 of the lil buggers. They seemed to prefer the darker brown over the rest. Fished left side of river on way down to "Brants landing" area, then changed over to the "Pump #1 area", catching fish at all locations. We finally got back to the launch (right above Chief Joseph) after sundown, Got off the water safely and headed home.
Another full day of fabulous Rufus Woods fishing.
Oh yeah, we like to use soft plastics, crocodiles, and cast masters. I prefer a nymph/crawdad shape 1 1/2 inch in length in dark grey, smoke/orange, toad, or chartreuse colors. In the cast masters, 1/8-1/4 oz in "Fire tiger", and silver/blue colors. I fish 6 lb Magna-Thin line and a 10 ft Ultra-lite rod. I'll rig the plastics on a 1/16 - 1/8 oz jig head depending on water depth, current, etc.. My wife prefers small minnow imitation plastics in the "Perch" color, and Crocodiles (1/4 oz) in a Fire tiger/ perch finish. She uses Berkly 4lb line and an Eagle Claw "Feather-Lite" 7 ft fiberglass rod which she has used for over 30years. Yes, I said over 30 Years.
She has caught loads of fish on this lil rod, from Rainbow in the famed White river (Arkansas) to Walleye in the "North Fork" River (Missouri) toTriploid and Walleye on Rufus Woods. It's her LUCKY rod. Last fall she pulled a 9 lb walleye from the "Pump 3#" area using this set up, and has boated hundreds of the triploids up to 9 3/4 lb.
Back to the present: We ended up catching 50-100 fish on this outing (largest 5 1/4lb), which is very satisfactory for us, and plan to hit the waters of Rufus Woods in the near future. We kept the 5 lb er and one 2lb fish, which was hooked deep enough to be marginal. We utilize "long forceps and remove the hooks while the fish is still in the water. Have had no troubles releasing healthy, strong fish this way. Can't wait til the water temps drop into the mid 40s. (Water temps in the low 60s on Thur.). Once again, Thanks to all the contributors that make this forum what it is. And I look forward to the continuing flow of fishing information.

Fishin Musician

10/28/2008 8:37:00 AM

Wow! Great report, lot's of detail. RW is a favorite of mine although I only fish it once a year. I've often wished I could hit it in a boat, maybe I'll have to trailer mine over one of these times. Sounds like a fun day.

outdoor chris

10/28/2008 10:18:00 AM

sorry to hear that the net pens were not producing...when you went there, were you fishing on shoreline side of the pens? That is where the fish have been thickest. The water temp being in the low 60's is great news! This marks the start of the casting season where we cast to the shorelines and don't have to go any farther than from Cheif Joe Dam to about 5 miles or less up from Bridgeport to get 100+ fish days. The fishing will slow down for casting as the water cools off until it reaches the mid 40's and lower,(usually around late DEC-early Jan), then one might only be able to get 30 or 40 fish in a day, however, this is the best time to have a chance at landing some of the biggest fish of Rufus Woods! But it is cold!!! BRRRRR!! Have been busy with deer season but we will be at Rufus this sat. to see if we can catch any ...............will let you know how we faired!!

Nice work on how you release the fish!!! Not taking the fish out of the water is by all means the best way and its super cool that you do that!!

Too many times I have watched people net them, let them flop around on the bottom of the boat while taking the hook out, then throwing them back.........

Maybe we will see you two out there sometime!

blufin loui

10/28/2008 1:49:00 PM

Hey Fishin Musician, RW is a great fishin hole for boat and shore anglers alike. Success can be had with either method. next time you plan a trip to RW, give a look-see in the forum for the latest info or ask about the current conditions. Someone will have been on the water, and can update ya.
Chris,
Fished shore side also and still no fish sightings, that's the way of it sometimes, and why it is called fishing. :0) We will have to try it another time, although my fishin buddy may grumble about getting up so early. With the advance of the seasons, that won't be an issue much longer what with daylight coming later each day.
We have admired your boat on the water at RW several times before I started reading WL, and saw your pics. Nice ride!
We have been releasing our catches in the water for a couple of years and have great success with it. Little more effort with larger boats, but possible.
The coldest water temp we have fished at RW was 36f, with a skim of ice on surface. Anyone got a sure-fire way to reduce ice-up in the rod guides during extreme cold temps? Slower fishing but as you mentioned, the chances of larger trout goes up at that time of year. Have you posted a pic of your creation (pellet fly) anywhere? would like to see how close to the original I got.
Look forward to meeting ya on the water.
Tight lines and dry boats

outdoor chris

11/3/2008 4:01:00 PM

Hey there Loui,

The only way I know of to keep ice off of the guides on the rod while fishing cold weather is to dip the pole into the water for a few seconds to give the warmer water a chance to melt off the ice. Sometimes you have to do that every 4 or 5 casts......Maybe somebody should invent a pole with heater wires imbedded in it!!

Appreciate the comments on the boat, you have one up on me.......have never fished Rufus with ice on it, have had some in the bays, that must have been a coooooollllllddddd day!!! Have to get my long johns on now just from thinking about it being that cold out!!

blufin loui

11/3/2008 7:25:00 PM

Yep it does help.
at one time there last winter there was a thin layer of ice starting to form on the rod from the dipping.
I'v been thinking of adding some Cold weather RW pics, but since they are of last Jan, Feb. I don't think it would be acceptable.
I wonder if anyone has tried WD40 on the guides? I do like the heated wire thought, think of the possibilities.

blufin loui

11/4/2008 5:43:00 AM

Cold it was,
As the "Total" surface of RW wasn't skimmed with ice, I should have stated, there was a skim of ice on portions of the water surface. While motoring up from the launch There were areas where the ice would be across the main body, enough to make "Me" cautious but not enough to be a danger. But long john thoughts for sure.
Can't wait to see more pics. you guys sure take good pics, nice definition on the fish.
May your Long Johns remain Holeless (not sure thats a word), and your rod guides free of ice
Thanks chris

Mike Carey

11/4/2008 6:21:00 AM

pictures are always welcome! You can e-mail older ones to mike@washingtonlakes.com and I'll add them to the Lake Overview for Rufus Woods.

blufin loui

11/4/2008 10:54:00 AM

Thanks Mike, I'll do that.
kudos for all the inovative work with this site and the hard work to make it work .

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