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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hunting and fishing

Fly fishing

A number of Spokane area lakes not necessarily noted for spiny ray are providing some exciting top-water fly-fishing for bluegill. Loon Lake at the public access is a good place to be in the evening, as is the west side of Clear Lake. Some of these fish are palm-size, and a few are as large as 10 inches.

Fly fishing is excellent on the north Idaho and western Montana trout streams. The Yakima River, too, has been good with a better flow than usual due to irrigation demands.

Salmon and steelhead

Sockeye were still hitting trolled offerings midweek at the mouth of the Okanogan. A dodger and tandem red hooks baited with shrimp or even unbaited is standard. Chinook are being taken at Brewster.

Steelhead boat anglers were taking over a fish per rod this week in the Columbia gorge. The steelhead fishery at the mouth of the Clearwater got off to a good start with most anglers taking fish. As always, purple-dyed shrimp under a bobber was effective.

The first Lake Wenatchee sockeye fishery was so good it is opening again Aug. 7 following a short closure. The limit is still two fish per day.

Trout and kokanee

The high wilderness lakes around Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens offer unparalleled fishing experiences for those willing to brave the mosquitoes.

Some of the high elevation lakes on U.S. Forest Service property in the northeast district that are stocked with rainbow and cutthroat trout may be good destinations for camping and fishing weekends. In Ferry County, try Davis, Ellen, Empire, Swan and Trout lakes. In Stevens County, try Gillette, Heritage, Sherry, Summit, and Thomas lakes. In Pend Oreille County, try Carl’s, Cook’s, Frater, Halfmoon, Leo, Mystic, Nile, No-Name, Petit, South and North Skookums, and Yokum lakes. More information on these mostly small fishing lakes can be found in WDFW’s 2010 Fishing Prospects at wdfw.wa.gov/fish/prospects/ index.htm.

The lower Spokane River has nice rainbows and browns, but river anglers need to be aware of catch limits, gear restrictions, and other rules listed in the fishing pamphlet.

Smaller tributaries within the Methow system are good during the summer for anglers who want to catch and keep brook trout,” says WDFW district fish biologist, Bob Jateff, of Twisp. “Eightmile, Falls, and Boulder creeks are all tributaries to the Chewuch River that hold brook trout. The daily limit on Falls and Eightmile Creeks is five fish, and on Boulder Creek it’s 10 fish. There is no minimum size for brook trout in these waters.”

Lakes Chelan, Priest and Pend Oreille are all giving up 2-4 pound macks fairly regularly. Find the bottom and troll at about 1.3 mph with big Flatfish or Kingfisher Lite Spoons. Chartreuse or purple are good colors.

Fish Lake near Chelan is a popular trout destination despite a heavy algae bloom on the northeast end. The fish are spread out at about 25 feet and prefer a fast troll. Expect to catch a lot of healthy 12-14-inch rainbow, but be attentive, as there are much larger trout in the lake.

Fishing for kokanee at Rimrock Reservoir in western Yakima County has been excellent. Many 16-fish limits of 10-inch fish are taken in just a few hours. Also good are other Yakima Basin reservoirs including Bumping, and Keechelus and Kachess in Kittitas County. Loon Lake kokes are getting tougher to catch trolling and the night bite hasn’t ever materialized for most anglers. There are some big tiger trout and rainbow being taken, though anglers complain of the rainbow being white-fleshed and tasteless.

Spiny ray

Walleye fishing has been good in the Columbia River near Camas, as well as in The Dalles and John Day Pools. Smallmouth bass fishing has also been heating up from Bonneville Dam to McNary Dam.

Long Lake (Lake Spokane) can be very good for both largemouth and smallmouth, but you’ll need to fish early or toward sundown and later. Top-waters are bringing some exciting strikes from big fish.

Dear Lake smallmouths have been on a tear recently. Anglers report catching a lot of small fish, but also several 2-3 pounders, and say they’ll hit anything.

Area tiger muskie have been on a tear recently. Newman and Curlew have given up several fish over a yard long. Coeur d’Alene pike will still hit a spinnerbait, but weeds in the Pend Oreille River make the pike population difficult to get at.

Other species

Channel cats are virtually neglected on the Snake River. The few fishing for them are finding success between Lower Granite and Heller Bar by dropping cut bait, night crawlers or stinky homemade concoctions where the current swings up against quieter water. Best results are after dark out of places like Central Ferry or Wawawai.

Hunting

The first hunting season in Washington began Aug. 1 for black bear in select units of certain counties. Black bear hunting opens Aug. 14 in many other GMUs, including Mount Spokane, Mica Peak and Cheney (“Northeastern B” bear management unit). Check your game regulations for details.

Hunters planning on pursuing game in Montana this year should be aware of the following dates: Black bear hunters must purchase licenses for the fall season by Aug. 31. The black bear archery season opens Sept. 4 and the general black bear hunting season opens Sept. 15. Deadline to purchase mountain lion hunting licenses is Aug. 31.

Hunters can buy over-the-counter elk and deer B licenses and surplus licenses for deer B, elk B and antelope B beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday. The deadline to apply to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for a tundra swan hunting permit is Sept. 2. Montana’s fall hunting season officially gets under way Aug. 15 with the opening of the special archery 900 antelope season in many Montana hunting districts. The general archery season for antelope begins Sept. 4.

Contact Alan Liere at spokesmanliere@yahoo.com