I took my 10' ft flat bottom Jon boat out to Buena pond on Yakima Countie's I- 82 ponds area. The day before, I saw 4 kids fishing with thier Dad's catching 11" trout left and right. One of the guys named Jim got to talking with me and after a while he invited me to go fishing with him the next day. Around 1 p.m, we launched the boat and drifted towards the East side of the pond. Jim used chartreuse powerbait with just a little nibble during the first 20 minutes on the lake. I had a hunch and took the boat toward the 12' to 14 foot depths on the east side. I tied on a 1/32 oz canyon lure eye ball jig head and a 2" crawler tail and drifted with the wind. After only a minute or so, I felt a tap, set the hook and landed a fat 12" Rainbow. Jim Tagged one a minute later. We drifted into the far southeast corner of the pond, near three driftwood logs laying in the water near shore. I casted my jig just off the tip of the log and wham! another fish hit. For 15 minutes the action was non stop. I switched to a pumpkin colored 1 1/2" skirt jig, along with pressing down my barb so I could release my fish easier. Jim decided to keep his powerbait fish. I had caught 10 trout to his two, but he seemed to be having a great time! On one little point I cast up just off the bank, and a heavier fish took off and doubled my little Lamiglass ultralight over. Soon, after a spirited fight,Jim slipped the net under a very fat and sassy 15" carryover that hit my jig. On my next cast to the same spot, another big trout hit my jig. After 3 jumps and deep runs, Jim netted my last fish of the day- a gorgeous 16" carryover Rainbow. While we we trolling back to the launch, Jim caught two more bows on a 1/8 th oz black Rooster Tail spinner.We had a great time on the water, and I'm going back once the water temps approach 50 degrees in order to try my luck in Buena Pond for Crappie. The Jigmiester

Brianh

3/17/2009 5:58:00 PM

We used to fish that pond quite a bit. Is it the one where there was a small airplane runway, and then you have to cross under the freeway by a big tube? There is also the pond with the island in the middle down the freeway a bit further. We have caught quite a few bass in the pond with the island in the middle, and also the one with the airstrip.

The Jigmiester

3/17/2009 6:43:00 PM

Brianh. It was the one with the island in the middle, nearest to Buena. Earlier in the year a friend and I caught both trout and perch in the one where you have to walk thru to the tunnel a ways. My girlfriend Pam caught a 27" brood stock trout out of Rio Frito Lake near Ellensberg in late December on chartruse power eggs and a half a crawler. Back in September of 08,' I caught dozens of largemouth bass off of the bank at Rio Frito using Jerry's lures 3" grubs in smoke S/P w/ silver flake and 2" berkley smelt colored minnows on a light jighead. I also graphed the ends of the Island with my Eagle fishfinder at Buena pond. There's some great bass and crappie cover out there! Have you ever caught crappie at any of the I-82 ponds?I also heard a rumor that there were walleye in a couple of those ponds...The Jigmiester.

Anonymous

3/17/2009 8:42:00 PM

pond #4 is the one under the freeway with the floating dock.They used to plant brown trout in there but since yakima county has suspended planting brown trout it just gets rainbows now.I occaisionally catch crappies out of #4 On the other side of the south dike of pond #4 is #5 and it used to have walleye in it years ago but when the river floods it floods back into that lake.Pond #2 was also known as a walleye lake at one time and may still have a few in it. You have a to access#1 and 2 by tunnel under freeway.Pond #6 is the one you guys are talking about off Buena Loop road.Pond #3 is the one by the wapato exit.You have to go through tunnel for that one too

The Jigmiester

3/17/2009 9:21:00 PM

Hey Yakima s#%&! Thanks for the info Bro. I'm new to the area, being originally from the Basin area, Banks lake Moses and Potholes Res were my playground for fishin' fun. I love to Crappie and Bass fish. Any Info that helps me to pursue my favorite hobby is welcome. A little tip: The crappie will move shallow when the Lilac trees bloom thier flowers and once the water temp hits the 51 degree mark, you should be able to catch them on a regular basis.See you on the water sometime, good luck! The Jigmiester

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