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This report actually covers 12/31/18 thru 1/2/19.
We tried Banks Lake on the last day of the year with out much success. We were going to try for whitefish but stories at the launch site said their bite was pretty spotty and there were rumors of people catching Steelhead that had been planted several years ago so a trolling we did go. Had 2 hits all day and only got one of them in the boat. Then my long time "friend" Jim managed to "accidentally" throw him back in the water. Of course it was my fault because I had asked him weigh him and I should have known his hands were cold. Sounded like my dog ate my homework to me. Still counts as a none skunk on the last day of the year. I never do good on Banks.
We were staying at Grand Coulee Lodge and Flo's was closed on New Years day so we went up to Wilbur and had breakfast at Doxie's Diner, very good, then headed down to Keller. Had a slow bite the first couple hours until we zeroed in on Perch Kekedas on the surface, even shortened up my leaded line rig to just over 2 colors. Also had good results on a black and red Kekeda until I snapped it off, then Capt. Dave's orange shrimp came of the bench and started producing as well. I think it produced the biggest fish of the trip at 20" and 3 LBS. Jim landed that one on the second day and when it came off the hook in the boat it didn't "accidentally" fall back in the water. Day one we finished around 1:30 and day two, also at Keller we quit around noon with only 8 fish in the box because Jim needed to get started back to Vancouver. I think the 8 of day two may have out weighed the 10 from day one. All nice fish with nothing really big, even the wild ones. Released 3 wild fish each day. Speed was 2.8 to 3.2 and long lining or a couple of colors of leaded seemed to be the best bet. In 3 days of fishing we didn't have a strike on anything but a fly.
A good start to the year.
Best wishes to all for the new year.
Mark

hewesfisher

1/3/2019 3:29:54 PM

Can't tell you how many times a perch Kekeda that looked exactly like the one pictured continued to produce quality fish and I refused to replace it since it was still hammering them! Glad to hear you ended the old year and started the new with time on the water and fish in the cooler. :-)

strikezone

1/3/2019 4:41:50 PM

Thanks Mark for a great report. Way to go on the fishing. I'm headed out on Sat. over here on the west side. Tied up some of those Phantoms today and will be giving them a go, along with the shrimp, and Old Goats with a couple fishing buddys.
Denny

Part-Time

1/3/2019 6:04:14 PM

The Plankton that was hot on the 21st never got a strike this trip, go figure.
https://rockymountaintackle.com/product-category/plankton-super-squids/

afk

1/3/2019 5:33:07 PM

Gotta love a fly that still produces when it looks like that! Thanks for the report. Andy

Part-Time

1/3/2019 6:00:45 PM

Seems like the more beat up they are the better they do. Bent the main hook on that one removing it from a fish that had taken the fly and an inch or so of line. Should have gutted the fish.

afk

1/6/2019 7:46:06 PM

Maybe Mr. Browning will warranty it! LOL

Red Tail

1/4/2019 7:42:29 AM

I'm Mark's long time "friend" Jim in the photo. I might add the Gulp Red Wigglers seem to work as well as live night crawlers added to the flies. I mostly fish for Carp and Red Tail Surfperch. It has been my pleasure to fish with Mark for over 40 years. I am still waiting for him to take the blame on any lost fish. Somehow it's always my fault but I have learned to accept that and always look forward to another tour of duty aboard the Tin Guppy.

Red Tail

1/4/2019 7:52:02 AM

I'm Mark's long time "friend" Jim in the photo. I might add the Gulp Red Wigglers seem to work as well as live night crawlers added to the flies. I mostly fish for Carp and Red Tail Surfperch. It has been my pleasure to fish with Mark for over 40 years. I am still waiting for him to take the blame on any lost fish. Somehow it's always my fault but I have learned to accept that and always look forward to another tour of duty aboard the Tin Guppy.

downriggeral

1/6/2019 11:53:45 AM

Glad to see you finished out 2018 and started 2019 the right way....fishing! I too have found the Perch Kekeda's work very well when all beat up. Have fished them till there's nothing left. Tight lines and Happy New Year to you and family - Alan
"The Experiment Must Continue"

Part-Time

1/7/2019 9:59:18 AM

That's a great idea on the warranty Andy. What do you think, maybe a 50 fish warranty? I would be that fly hasn't caught much more than 30 of those nice rainbow. Truthfully they would probably last longer if I didn't use them for Walleye also.

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