My family and I went east to Lake Wenatchee for 3 days of fishing and fun. We came home with more than we expected of both. I really enjoy reading other reports from this web site, so I wanted to take the time sit down and post a report of my own.

We arrived in the afternoon on Mon. the 26th, checked into the cabin rental (through blue grouse lodge) then shot down the mile or so to the state park to launch. There were about 3-4 foot white capped waves rolling down the lake that we pounded through to get to the other end. Fortunately, it was about 90 degrees so the spray felt nice. We started fishing around 3:30 and fished 2 poles at various depths from 40 feet down to 80 feet for about 3 hours. No hits, take downs that we saw, and no other boats (5-6 other brave souls) having much luck either.

Day 2 (Tues.) started about 445 and fishing by 0600. This day was incredible. Watching the sun come up on a mountain lake that is still, clear and smooth as glass is incredible and something I will always remember. We started at the upper end just below the upper camp ground/launch. Both poles off down riggers and dodgers w/ 11-13 inches of leader followed by a pink squid and a double hook, one red, one black. The squid had every other skirt tail cut off to expose the red hook. We had 2 fish right away within the first 1/2 hour, then things went dead until about 0900. By then we had trolled our way up to about 150 yards from the mouth of the 2 creeks the fish were heading to and circled a spot for the next hour catching 2 more and loosing 3. We ended the day about 1100 with 4 fish between 3 people (one of them 3 1/2). All fish were taken at about 45-60 feet. We also caught 2 bull trout 1 about 14 inches, the other 2 about 24-26 that fought better than the sockeye, all 3 were released, but curious that they hit that set up.

Day 3 began even earlier at 0415 and waiting in line to launch (behind 3 others) by 0445, fishing by 0530, same set up as the days before. Fishing was slow all around us until about 7, when I got the first one of the day at 60 feet. We saw many other nets come out and most all were landed. I got back in the water and within 2 minutes another take down. I gave up the pole to the 3 yr old but, when she got it all in no fish, must of come off on the way up. I had another hit a few minutes later, but no hook up. We went up to the end where we had found them the day before, but nothing. Then started to find them right out from the upper camp ground launch. Right about this time I put some red power bait on the eye of the hook for scent and added color, and then things got hot. We had hit after hit, caught (and released) another bull, and finished off our 2 limits for the day at around 0800. This day too was incredible weather wise. Even better than the day before with not a ripple on the lake except for boat wakes. I'm sending in a couple of pics to prove it.

This lake and sockeye run is an incredible opportunity for summer vacation fun and excitement. The fishing wasn't red hot (until the end) but with the scenery to look at, I had no complaints. The fish were all in good shape, with a couple having some color down the sides. But all the meat seemed firm and that nice pink/red color that I'm sure will taste great. All the fish were about 20-22 inches and 3-4 pounds, no real lunkers, (except one that spit the hook with a big leap out of water right at the net that might have gone 6 pounds), all cookie cutter sizes of each other.

If you can hit this fishery before it closes. I would if I had more time and lived a little closer. After talking with the F & W checker it sounds like the 4000 or so quota is not filling very fast so the season may go for longer than 10 days. On a nice day (like 2 of the 3 that we had) there is not a better place to be for decent fishing and better views. Good luck.

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