Weekly hunting and fishing report

Fly fishing

This is prime time for fly fishing at Rocky Ford Creek, near Ephrata. Anglers throwing mini-leech and scud patterns are hooking some really large rainbow.

Action on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River is picking up. Water levels have dropped, making it a good option, provided forecasted storms don’t disrupt things. Double nymph and streamer rigs with egg patterns have done well, but midge patterns may also improve your luck.

The lower St. Joe River has been decent, but shoreline ice and snow makes wading in difficult. Nymphing San Juans and Pat’s Rubber Legs are effective in the clear, slow water, but streamer rigs may also yield nice fish. The Calder is the only launch clear of snow. The others require some muscle to drag in and out.

The Snake River is a solid option for steelhead. Swinging marabou leech patterns have shown good success, but a stone fly dressed with an egg or bead should be compelling.

The Grande Ronde water is high and projections are unfavorable, but the Clearwater is leveling off nicely. Throwing white and pink egg patterns with beads or nymphing Woolly Buggers have produced decent steelhead for anglers making the effort.

Methow River fishermen have been rewarded after nymphing small attractor patterns with beads or eggs in slower water.

Salmon and steelhead

This year’s catch guidelines for the spring chinook season on the Columbia River are based on a projected run of 312,600 adult fish. “The stage is set for another great fishery this year,” said Ron Roler, Columbia River policy manager for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Not only is the run forecast well above average, but water conditions also appear to be favorable for the upcoming season.” Downriver from Bonneville Dam, the season will run March 1 through April 10. Upstream of Bonneville Dam, the fishery will be open from March 16 through May 6 between the Tower Island and the Washington/Oregon state line.

Anglers continue to catch some hatchery steelhead at Ringold on the Columbia. Catch rates should pick up in late February as the weather warms.

Snake River steelheading has been fair to good, particularly in Hells Canyon, where backtrolled plugs scented with shrimp have accounted for some nice catches.

Trout and kokanee

WDFW fish biologist Randy Osborne said Lake Roosevelt creel checks show limits of five trout are common. “Kokanee fishing at Lake Roosevelt has also been picking up in some areas of the lower reservoir,” Osborne said. “Just remember that of your six kokanee daily catch limit, only two can be wild kokanee, or those with intact adipose fins.” Anglers on the bank and in boats are catching limits of both. John Petrofski and his son, Ian, netted both species this past weekend, near Fort Spokane. Floating gold rapalas and size 4 Kwikfish fooled a 19-inch kokanee and a mixed bag of 16-inchers to strike, making for an exciting day on the water.

Hog Canyon and Fourth of July lakes were fished heavily in January for the daily catch of five (only two more than 14 inches may be kept), but fluctuating weather conditions in February should be scrutinized to avoid fishing unsuitable ice. Check conditions carefully before venturing out.

Trout fishing at Waitts Lake closes at the end of this month and will remain closed until the last Saturday in April.

Spiny ray

Roosevelt anglers have been picking up decent walleye in the Spokane Arm of the reservoir. Randy Osborne of the WDFW reminds anglers that it is open year-round, with a daily catch limit of 16. “The walleye fishing will just get better and better into spring,” he said.  

Most Potholes Reservoir walleye are being taken on blade baits in front of the dunes in 20 feet of water. Position on the humps and jig up the slopes. The majority of fish caught have been averaging 19 inches. Jumbo-sized perch often show to round out the day’s catch.

Eloika Lake ice is holding up, but the fishing remains erratic. Some days, anglers are catching more bass than perch. On others, they aren’t catching much of anything.

Silver Lake saw a skiff of snow this week, but the ice was empty and thin. There is significant water around the edges and in the bay near the highway. Current weather conditions aren’t likely to improve the outlook.

Other species

State fishery managers have approved a limited fishery for smelt on the Cowlitz and Columbia rivers on specific dates in February. Under this year’s rules, the Cowlitz River will be open to recreational dip netting along the shore from 6 a.m. until noon Saturday and again Feb. 14. Each dip-netter may retain 10 pounds of smelt per day, with no more than one day’s limit in possession. Ten pounds is about a quarter of a 5-gallon bucket. No fishing license is required to dip for smelt in Washington State. 

This is probably the best time for mountain whitefish. In south-central Washington, try the Yakima River upstream from Union Gap, the Naches and the Tieton. The Kettle, the Tucannon and the Little Spokane are Eastern Washington hot spots, and there are some much bigger lake whitefish in Banks. In Idaho, the Coeur d’Alene, Clark Fork and the Clearwater rivers all have good whitefish populations. Whitefishing generally picks up when river flows increase.

Beginning last Sunday, Lake Wallula fishery opened for retention sturgeon fishing. One fish per day, measuring 43 to 54 inches from snout to the fork in the tail, may be kept, not to exceed an annual harvest of two. The same catch and size limits apply to the sturgeon fishery underway at Lake Umatilla. There is a 500-fish annual quota, so don’t wait to get after them.

Limits of burbot are being taken by some anglers at Rufus Woods. Fishing has been good, reports WDFW fish technician Aulin Smith, commenting “the biggest burbot I weighed there during creel checks was 9.6 pounds.” Jigs and blade baits may be the best bet.

Hunting

Unless you hunt rabbits (open through March), coyotes (no season), or book a March snow goose hunt in the Dakotas, hunting opportunities in Washington and Idaho are about over until the turkey and bear spring seasons begin. Fortunately, there are bird shooting preserves still open. Two of the closest are Double Barrel Ranch near Mica Peak (995-3524) and The Miller Ranch near Sprague (509-370-5535).