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16 - Lake Pateros Report
Washington

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10/27/2015
56° - 60°
Other
Steelhead
Other
Purple
Mostly Sunny
Jig
Morning
10/28/2015
5
4439

Day Two of our Wells Pool steelheading adventure with Shane Magnusen of Upper Columbia Guide Service. After a relaxing stay at the Lake Pateros Motor Lodge we loaded up and met Shane for a leisurely morning breakfast and then off fishing at 7:15am. I could get used to this fishery – walk to the restaurant for breakfast, walk to the boat ramp, no getting up at 4am, this is pretty sweet!

Today Shane showed us some fishing locations on the Methow River. We motored up about a quarter mile and started fishing a deep slot that runs along the shoreline. Shane explained that depending on the Columbia flows the location could be good or a bust. Within a few minutes we hooked and released a beautiful and feisty 8 pound native. One thing Shane told us that was that because the Methow is about 10 degrees cooler than the Columbia the fish are more energentic, he says due to better water oxygenation. That held true with this fish, which made several 2-3 foot jumps into the air. Ditto our next fish that was a hatchery keeper. Shane reminded us that fish caught in the Methow are mandatory catch and keep if they are hatchery fish.

The Methow hole slowed down after that so moved out and fished briefly in front of the bridge and hotel docks. We saw one dock angler catch and release a native, but it was dead for us. Next stop, we tried the main Columbia hole that had produced so well yesterday. Unfortunately, there was a private boat trolling up and down the hole. After trying a couple drifts Shane moved us to another location that we had caught a couple fish at.

We started our drift pattern as the wind died off and the sun started to shine. Prior to this it had been a bit “nippy” but now it was getting really nice out. I looked around at the amazing scenery and reflected that there were only three boats in a two mile radius from where we were fishing. Consider also, only a 3 ½ hour drive from Seattle. Pretty amazing and lightly pressured fishery!

I cast out and watched my float drift… drift… drift – float down! After a good fight (the fish were definitely more energetic today than yesterday) Shane slipped the net under my fish. This began an hour of an amazing steelhead bite. Between the three of us we caught four and released a native, as well as had several more take downs. I have not had that good of steelhead fishing in one spot over such a short amount of time – ever. Aaron had one fish go airborne and spit the jig 10 feet from the boat, pretty cool to see anyway.

We ended the day at 1pm and brought home our boat limit of six steelhead, making that 12 fish in two days for our boat (Shane fished each day).

If you want to get in on some amazing fishing, Shane has openings and says now is the best time to get some prime eating steelhead. He fishes this area into March, but reports that by then, although there are more fish around, they aren’t in as good eating condition. All I can say is there are plenty of fish around right now! Considering all our coho rivers in Western Washington are getting shut down, this is an excellent opportunity to go out and “feel the tug”.

Give Shane a call at or check out his web site, Upper Columbia Guide Service and go get some beautiful steelhead!

Comments

Anonymous
10/28/2015 9:19:00 AM
This fishery has become an annual trip for my brother and I, very relaxing as you stated and low pressure. I will be there in a couple weeks I can't wait. Nicely done!
JoshH
10/28/2015 9:42:00 AM
Wow beautiful fish!
cobrar543
10/28/2015 10:47:00 AM
I have heard the Walleye bite is great there too...did you find any?
Guitarfish
10/28/2015 5:17:00 PM
Hi Mike, thanks for the report (and all the great reports, I love them). I want to get out and check this fishery out , never been over there and I was wondering if my prop boat would be OK to go up into the Methow, or is it a jet show? Thanks for any info!
Mike Carey
10/28/2015 10:03:00 PM
yes, you can get up into the Methow with a prop, which is what Shane has. Obviously you'll want to go slow as you work your way up.
No walleye, targeting steel this trip.
NBFlyfisher
10/29/2015 11:25:00 AM
Mike, after reading your reports the last few months I would sure love to see your freezer, wholly cow! you had a amazing year!
Mike Carey
10/29/2015 4:36:00 PM
My friends and family appreciate fresh fish. Freezer will be empty by summer.
Goldrigger1
10/29/2015 7:10:00 PM
I've been on the Methow several times. There are rapids just a little ways up that will stop many boats. However, it is so slow paced in that area that a jet sled would seem weird. This is not the W side. As Mike said - almost no ones fishes the lake and the livin is easy. This is not a peaceful, slow area and a roaring jet would be out of place. When it is 100 degrees and the skiers are out it gets loud in the lake.

I kept thinking it must be full of walleye, but I couldn't find them. Just below Wells Dam is some interesting water where the river actually flows normally. there are Steel and Walleyes in that pool and further down.
Goldrigger1
10/29/2015 7:11:00 PM
Typo - it is a peaceful area. Slow paced.
PWRSTROKIN
10/30/2015 11:31:00 AM
Mike - When you say you motored up the Methow I assume you mean the lower estuary part where it is more like a lake than a river? The river channel itself is not even passable by drift boat right now, in fact even in a raft you have to drag your way though many areas. Just wanted to clarify so folks don't try and take a power boat up past the frog water. Your prop wont get you very far :)
Cascadian
10/31/2015 1:19:00 AM
The mandatory hatchery fish retention applies to the mainstem Columbia between Wells and Chief Joseph dams as well (not just the Methow). Also barbless hooks and no bait on the Methow.
Goldrigger1
10/31/2015 7:13:00 AM
I tried to hire Shane's company for a trip and he is moving to the Columbia for coho now.
Mike Carey
10/31/2015 2:42:00 PM
PWRSTROKIN - yes, that is correct, thanks for clarifying.
Goldrigger1- he did mention that. After that I believe he'll be focused on the Steelhead again.
Cascadian
11/1/2015 1:20:00 PM
Saw Shane on Pateros yesterday with a boat full of clients. Fishing was pretty slow though so maybe he is switching to something different for awhile.
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709