Fishing, as with the weather is changing by the day, the only constant being wind sometimes still or just a slight breeze and at other times as spring would have it raging. The trick is giving in, not giving up just giving in and doing what it takes to catch fish, sometimes even using the wind to your advantage. Whether it is the surface cover you need to obscure your outline from wary fish or the bob you might want to put just the right action to your presentation sometimes the spring wind can become your friend if you let it.
Lately I have been doing best with an emerging pattern either by way of dry and dropper at other times an indicator and slightly deeper presentation has worked well. As well trolling or stripping streamers (leeches and buggers) is always productive.
All rivers in Washington open May 25th, whether fishable or not can differ greatly from river to river as well as within differing stretches of any one river. I anticipate fishing within the first or second week of June depending on run-off conditions.
Lowland lakes have been great this year with very little if any winter kill known of, try Camble lake for good sized fish with many hold overs, Camble is a must have boat lake with 99% of shoreline covered in cattails. Big Twin Lake is always a sure thing as far as the numbers going but can be a bit “cookie-cutter” on size (10-12inches) with a few hold overs.
For a nice high mountain fishing experience accessible by car try Blackpine Lake, with many bighty Westslope Cutthroat and beautiful views of the Sawtooth Blackpine is great. You can access Blackpine by way of Twisp River rd. to Buttermilk Cr. There is day and overnight camping. Fish at Blackpine average 10 – 12 inches with some hold-overs in the 15-16 inch range.
If you are interested in early bookings for the Methow, Twisp or Chewuch Rivers as well as the low and mid-elevation lakes just click on our Contact page, we’ll get you out on the water and having fun!