Alan Liere’s fish and game report for July 20

July 19, 2017 Updated Wed., July 19, 2017 at 3:22 p.m.

Tip of the week

It isn’t exactly fly fishing, but a bobber and a jig on a fly rod and can be very effective for big trout that prefer to ambush their prey rather than chase it.

Heads up

The sturgeon fishery on Lake Roosevelt near Kettle Falls has been so good, there is a chance the quota will be met and the fishery will soon close. YJ Guide Service reported that on their last trip this week, eight fishermen caught 19 with 8 keepers. They also lost 5 and had one oversize. If you’re planning a trip, be sure to check the WDFW website for an emergency closure.

Overheard

Some salmon anglers on the Brewster Pool are complaining that a tribal boat is netting all the fish. They are mistaken. The “Dreamcatcher” a Colville Indian purse seiner operating near the mouth of the Okanogan River, is capturing brood stock for the hatchery, which will eventually mean even more fish for anglers to catch.

Fly fishing

The Clark Fork River has very good visibility and river temperatures are around 66 degrees in the mornings.

Attractors are effective most of the day, as are naturals like tan caddis and PMDs.

Fly fishermen who have been waiting to fish the St. Joe are advised that the Little Joe road is open and in great shape, even for trailers.

The Montana side is freshly graded and the Idaho side is paved.

Good fishing is reported from Red Ives to the Little Joe Road. There has been a great golden stone fly hatch in the middle of the day.

The Methow River would be an excellent choice right now for almost nonstop trout action. The fish aren’t large, but there are a lot of them. The Methow is a good river for float fishing.

High water temperatures and low stream flows have prompted Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to implement “hoot owl” restrictions on several rivers in Southwest Montana.

For up-to-date information on restrictions related to drought, visit http://fwp.mt.gov/news/ restrictions/.

The following sections of rivers will be closed to fishing daily from 2 p.m.-midnight until conditions improve:

Big Hole River from Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road to the Mouth of the North Fork Big Hole River;
Big Hole River from Notch Bottom Fishing Access Site to the confluence with the Beaverhead River;
Lower Beaverhead River from Anderson Lane to confluence with Big Hole River;
Lower Madison River from Ennis Dam to the mouth;
Lower Gallatin River from the confluence with the Madison River at Three Forks to Sheds Bridge (Hwy 84) near Four Corners;
East Gallatin River from Spring Hill Road Bridge (Hwy 411) to the confluence with the Gallatin River;
The entire Jefferson River.

Salmon and steelhead

Chinook fishing in the Brewster Pool is improving daily as fresh fish arrive.

Anglers say they are seeing more hatchery fish this year than last. Remember that sockeye are not open.

Chinook fishing is also decent at Chelan Falls and Wells Dam. Chinook fishing on Lake Pateros has not been particularly good this week.

The Brewster King Salmon Derby will run August 4-6. Registration for this popular event ends July 31.

Cash prizes are awarded to the top 10 in the Adult Division, the top 10 in the Youth Division and top 5 in the Child Division.

With raffles and prizes all week long, this is an excellent opportunity to pick up some cash, and more importantly, enjoy the fishing and the festivities.

For details and more information, Google Brewster King Salmon Derby or call (509) 945-5823.

Trout and kokanee

Fishing high elevation lakes on U.S. Forest Service land in northeast Washington is a good way to beat the heat, experience some magnificent scenery, and catch some trout besides. In Ferry County, try Davis, Ellen, Empire Swan and Trout lakes. In Stevens County, go to Gillette, Heritage, Sherry, Summit, or Thomas lakes. In Pend Oreille County, try Carl’s, Cook’s, Frater, Halfmoon, Leo, Mystic, Nile, No-Name, Petit, North and South Skookum and Yokum.

Rufus Woods anglers who launch at Inchelium and fish the water between the two sets of net pens are tossing one-ounce marabou jigs for lots of action on rainbow between 2-4 pounds.

Trout anglers are catching some large rainbow in Potholes Reservoir by trolling in front of the dunes.

Friends and I finally zeroed in on Loon Lake kokanee at night twice this week on the west side of the lake in 31 feet of water.

Limits around came in under two hours, with the bite beginning at about 9:00 p.m. Trollers are also enjoying fast fishing in the morning. Most of Loon’s kokes are 11 inches or slightly better.

Waitts Lake trout fishing has been steady for 11-inch rainbow and a few small browns.

A green Carey Special trolled down the middle about 15 feet below the surface will put you in fish.

Another lake that can usually be counted on is Rock Lake, where anglers are catching 14-inch rainbow trolling Flicker Shads at about 40 feet.

Badger Lake rainbow and cutthroat aren’t large, but the bite has been good, and Williams Lake rainbow are also biting.

The 11-inch fish have provided some good night-time action for still fishermen using Glo Hooks and eggs or maggots.

Upper Conconully Lake in Okanogan County is given up some beautiful kokanee – some as large as 18 inches, but most closer to 14. The fish have been suspended at about 35 feet.

Priest Lake macks are hitting Berkley Power Minnows drop-shotted into 120 feet of water by the islands.

Lake Chelan mackinaw fishing has been consistently good on the days the wind doesn’t blow. The kokanee fishing also remains good for trollers.

Kokanee are still biting on Lake Pend Oreille, and it is possible to also pick up a big rainbow in the process. The best kokanee bite has been at about 40 feet over water up to 250 feet deep.

Spiny ray

Long Lake largemouth, some as large as 5 pounds, are hitting a variety of offerings. Spinnerbaits, rubber frogs and tubes are all producing. Smallmouth fishing also remains good.

Coffeepot Lake is a good summer largemouth destination. Senkos are always good, but crankbaits are also effective. Nearby Lower Twin is also giving up some decent bass.

Banks Lake was good in the area above the Rosebush this week. Trolled Flicker Shads were very effective.

Anglers fishing the Spokane Arm of Lake Roosevelt above Porcupine Bay had no trouble recently catching lots of walleye, but most were only 12-15 inches. The fish have been in the weeds.

Walleye anglers say the fishing at Potholes Reservoir is slow, though a few fish are being caught, particularly in the Lind Coulee where blades and Slow Death Hooks have dredged up some big ones. So far, no one has reported finding a real good perch bite at Potholes.

A friend who lives in the area says they seem to be moving around, and though you’ll catch one here and there, the big schools have not materialized. Walleye in Moses Lake have also been hard to find this week, but the smallmouth bass up to 3 pounds are taking up the slack, whacking twin-tailed grubs in the south end anywhere there are rocks.

Rufus Woods walleye are hitting jigs in the slack water. A dark blue/black worm with a chartreuse tail has been effective off a bottom bouncer. Coeur d’Alene area northern pike reports are particularly good for the Chain Lakes. Kokanee fishing is steady in the big lake with the fishing running 9-10 inches.

Other Species

Newman Lake tiger muskies went on a rampage this week, whacking swimbaits and spoons in 18-20 feet of water all over the lake.

Craig Dowdy of YJ Guide Service said his two boats with three clients each caught 14 in one day. The largest was 40 inches, and the others were in the mid-30s.

Contact Alan Liere at spokesmanliere @yahoo.com