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Aaron and I got to go fishing with Craig Dowdy of YJ Guide Service. Our target was burbot. It was a cold morning but the roads were clear. We launched out of Porcupine Bay and headed up the branch to some “honey holes” that Craig knows of. He had warned us ahead of time that there had been a discharge of water and the area we were fishing was off-colored, which had considerably slowed down the bite. Aaron and I wanted to try it non-the-less.

Long story short, Aaron got one 3 pounder right off the bat and then we had no luck for two hours. We had a back-up plan and decided it was time to stop beating a dead horse, so back to the launch we went. Boat and gear stowed, we drove down the road to the Seven Bays launch.

We now proceeded to Plan B, Lake Roosevelt Rainbow Trout. I think people reading the site know this lake puts out quality rainbows. I was excited to get a shot at them as the last time I fished this area was about a dozen years ago. Good memories of the fishing and quality of the fish remained.

Our first two spots we hit were slow. We were running two downrigger rods at around 20 feet deep, two leadcore line rods at around 175 and 225 feet of line out (sorry, don’t know how many colors), and (much to Craig’s chagrin), I had brought two rods with planer boards. So official disclaimer, Craig says he normally does not fish with planer boards due to having so many rods out the increased incident of line tangles from the running rainbows. But I was determined to try my new toys out so he agreed. Each of our two first spots yielded one fish, not what we were looking for.

Craig knows the lake well, and had us move to spot number three, the Fort Spokane area. Within seconds we had a strike on the starboard planer board rod (lost), and then a fish (caught) on the starboard down rigger. Suddenly the flood gates opened for us as the next two hours it was steady action, including doubles. All the rods produced fish. The hot fly was a perch pattern Kekeda fly I had just received from owner Dave Browning (www. http://www.etsy.com/shop/kekedatackle). All the fish are beautiful chunky 14-18” fish, fat and beautiful red meat. They taste out of this world! Not at all like west side stocker fish.

We ended the day around 4pm with limits for Aaron and me. Had great day on the water and learned some good spots and techniques from Craig. We didn’t really feel the cold as he has a heated cabin so we stayed toasty warm.
If you want to get in on some of this great winter rainbow action you can contact Craig at YJ Guide Service (http://www.yjguideservice.com/)

If you’re looking for a place to stay nearby (since it is darn cold to be camping!), we stayed at The Davenport Motel - 509-725-7071 (http://thedavenportmotel.com/) in Davenport. It’s a quick 18 miles to Porcupine Bay. Nice place, clean, easy access to dining, gas, and groceries, and reasonably priced.
Go get em!

soberg

1/29/2014 7:52:00 PM

Awsome! Craig does know that lake among others. He is fun to fish with also. I hope someday to meet you guys. Glad you got in on the Rainbows and atleast one Burbot. Did you guys see any elk up the spokane arm?

Kekedatackleco

1/29/2014 8:28:00 PM

Glad to see they worked out well. You're right about the taste Mike, can't be beat. Thanks for letting us know they're still up there with the report.

Mike Carey

1/29/2014 8:33:00 PM

no elk in the hills but almost hit a deer leaving the ramp parking area. Dave, I may need more of those perch green, LOL.

downriggeral

1/29/2014 9:34:00 PM

Hi Mike - Glad you got over to the "other side" to catch some of those awesome rainbows. I agree with Dave the taste of these beauties can't be beat!
Aaron; you really touched one of those burbot for a picture.....?? WOW you're the MAN!

hewesfisher

1/30/2014 7:05:00 AM

Nice report guys and happy to hear you finally got experience some of our premier fishing here on the east side Mike. I'd think Aaron would be up that way more often since he's so close, but we all have schedules to deal with. I've had RW 'bows and LR 'bows, and honestly, I think LR 'bows are better table fare, but that's just my opinion. I have hopes we will hook up with some burbot next week, will just have to wait and see. Craig will let us know if the trip will be worth making.

Alan - Just curious since I've never caught a burbot before, why wouldn't he touch one?

YJ Guide Service

1/30/2014 7:52:00 AM

Most people don't like to touch them since they are very slimy and snake like LOL...I will let you know about your trip hewes, well see what the water does, don't want you to experience burbot unless its fast and furious...It was a great time fishing with you guys like always Mike and Aaron..

downriggeral

1/30/2014 8:07:00 AM

Craig/Phil - I live in the Long lake area and Long lake has been drained to it's low winter level. There is a fair amount of water coming over the Nine Mile Falls dam at present, but it looks reasonably clean. The Spokane arm should be in better shape in a week or so with the colder weather. Hope you get to go catch some ling Phil. - Alan

YJ Guide Service

1/30/2014 11:33:00 AM

I hope so....thanks downriggeral

buc

1/31/2014 1:12:00 PM

Hope you get back on the burbs, had good luck at night at rufus woods below pens.

YJ Guide Service

1/31/2014 3:03:00 PM

Nice they should if the water ever clears up till then im not wasting gas going up there and the walleye fishing up there is slow as well...

SsendaM

2/1/2014 8:44:00 PM

Nice job, wondering how the meat looks on them Rainbows.. Is it more peachy, orange or red?

SsendaM

2/1/2014 8:46:00 PM

I read it again, wish I could delete my posting now.. lol

hutch1952

2/3/2014 3:17:00 PM

Hi nice fish. we were there last weekend didn;t catch any. not good... If you do not mind me asking what were you using for bait? Also I have never seen a burbot fish how and where do you caught those . Any help would be fantastic....
.

Mike Carey

2/4/2014 9:26:00 PM

I have to leave some things secret since we were with a guide. Sorry. :-)

YJ Guide Service

2/5/2014 7:35:00 AM

Hutch there are a lot of spots on Lake Roosevelt, alot of people fish in the bays in deeper holes. We use flys and rapala style lures, and spinners for the trout. Thanks Mike again

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