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18 - Lake Roosevelt South End to Spokane Confluence Report
Washington

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12/11/2016
26° - 30°
Trolling With Fly
Rainbow Trout
Corn
Orange
Cloudy
Morning
12/12/2016
4
3059

Friend Ron and I watched the weather reports all week wondering if we would be able to make it out to Roosevelt on the weekend. Sunday just maybe Sunday the snow would let up and it wouldn't be too windy or cold. Left my house around 7 with snow on the road and a temperature of 25 degrees. Stopped for boat gas in Airway Heights and I noticed something missing...the sonar! Love the new Garmin with the quick release feature; only problem is I left it home!! Now what to do? Do we go back and get it and lose an hour of fishing time or just truck on without it. We decided to fish known waters without it.

Found fog up past Fairchild on highway 2 and some slick road to test the new studded snow tires on. Glad to report they worked great and got us to the Fort Spokane launch without slipping and sliding. As we pulled into the park we immediately notice there were no rigs in the parking lot...not a good sign maybe the steep ramp was too icy? It was plowed out with only an inch or so of new snow over what looked like compact snow that had been sanded. Now for the ultimate tire test putting the boat in. The tires did a great job again and the boat was in the water without a problem. Touched the key and the E-Tec fired right up and took us out to the mouth of the confluence where we decided to start fishing in known waters. The water was glass smooth and the heater was keeping us warm now for some fish.

Ron put on his Canadian spoon and it had not been out two minutes when he got the first fish. Then he got anther on his second rod and I didn't have a rod in the water yet! I finally put Ron to work driving so I could get in the water. We experimented with tackle and finally settled on Ron's orange black flies tied by his son in law and my orange and orange /red Kekedas. Finished our limit by 1:00 pm what a great day of fishing. Also safely released a 5# plus Red Band trout; what a beauty he was!! Three colors lead core and 2 mph did the trick. 18' on the wire also worked.


Comments

Sideburns
12/12/2016 7:22:00 PM
Maybe it was just me, but I have a feeling google is clogging up with red band trout searches...
woodcutter
12/12/2016 7:42:00 PM
I love fishing Roosevelt in the winter and dying to go soon. It sounds like you guys had a great time.
How do you like the e-tec motor? I like what I read about them. But have not talked to anyone that had one.
downriggeral
12/13/2016 6:05:00 AM
woodcutter - I have had the 90 hp e-tec outboard on my boat for 4 years and have 400 hours on it. It runs fabulous, instant starts, no smoke ever, will idle all day without a problem and has great power for my needs. It uses almost no oil and sips fuel; guess you could say I like it.
afk
12/13/2016 7:22:00 AM
Good to see you got out and back safely! Thanks for the report. Andy
hewesfisher
12/13/2016 9:06:00 AM
Good report Alan and you're a brave soul to tackle our winter conditions right now. Know the fishing is great, but with all the fish already in the freezer, hard to justify a trip for more. :-)

Thanks for posting!
Jorgec
12/13/2016 9:09:00 AM
Thanks for the report, I talked myself out of going, no one wanted to go. Bummer.
Bent hook pontoon
12/13/2016 11:39:00 AM
Thank you for the report. How long until you start focusing on those monster kokanee? Just about that time isn't it?
downriggeral
12/13/2016 3:23:00 PM
Bent Hook - Some time after Christmas. We talked about it the last trip but with no sonar seemed like a long ways to drive. This weekend is predicted to be REALLY cold. I do have my limits; well sorta!
hewesfisher
12/13/2016 4:33:00 PM
NOAA forecast for Seven Bays as of right now: wake up Saturday morning -1 and a high of 12; Sunday morning wake up of 3 and a high of 17. I know where I WON'T be this weekend. :-)
strikezone
12/14/2016 4:02:00 PM
Alan: I think you've lost your marbles going out in that weather. But if it weren't so far over there I'd be joining you. 8 hour trip over the pass from here just isn't in the works with all the snowy conditions up on the pass to deal with. But if we ever get a few days of good weather I will be joining you. Sweet fish! Denny
Part-Time
12/14/2016 4:33:00 PM
Alan, good to hear you made it out and had a nice day. I had planned to go but as often is the case life rose up and took a bite out of my plans. I suppose now that we are not suppose to keep them I will probably hook one of those monster red bands my self. As you say, they are beauties.
Stay after them, it's the right thing to do.
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Available Guide

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

Phone: (509) 687-0709