Eastern Washington Fishing Report 06.27.19
The weather has been kind to us lately. Not too hot and only a couple of real windy days and a scattered rain shower now and then. As such the fishing in the area lakes is still going well. The water level in the Methow and Okanogan rivers is still on the drop opening more areas to access on foot and the small hoppers are starting to show up.
Current Conditions
Chopaka Lake - The water temperature is going up and down with the different weather fronts moving through the area. The morning bite is the most productive time until the damsel start climbing out and hatching. There are still some minor mayfly hatches coming off now and then along with some caddis hatches. #16 to #12 mayfly patterns and #16 to #14 caddis need to be in your box. Hopper activity is picking up along the shoreline and the fish know it. #12 green or tan hoppers will fit the bill here. Using leech patterns in the shaded parts of the north end of the lake is getting good results. Small #12 olive or black leeches have been what most are using. The good thing about this time of the year at the lake is, there are fewer midweek campers. You will have a better chance of finding a camping spot if you plan your trip midweek.
Green Lakes - Like some of the other low land lakes in the area you will need to watch the water temperatures but, with the cooler nights, early mornings should find water temperatures ok. Most of the rainbows that are being caught are down below the 10’ level except when the damsels are coming off then you will see a little topwater action happening. Depending on water temps the evening fishing can be good too. #14 to #10 black or olive leeches have been doing very well. #12 and #10 black, white or olive buggers slow trolled on a type 3 full sinking line have been productive.
Bonaparte Lake - Large size tiger trout are showing up more frequently in the reports Bonaparte along with some nice size rainbows. Besides the attractive setting of Bonaparte lake, the water temperatures stay cool. When fishing for the tigers, work the drop-offs in the 10’ to 20’ depth range or right along the edge of the weed beds. #12 to #10 olive leeches balanced under an indicator or straight should get some results. Medium size streamers in olive, black, firetiger or more natural minnow colors are what I generally use with good results. Since you have tigers that can tip the scale over 6lbs and rainbows over 4lbs I would recommend using a 6wt rod. Plus, with some nice size smallmouth in the lake having a rod with a little more power would be a good idea. A good floating line and a level sinking line will take care of your line needs.
Smallmouth bass fishing on the lake is more of an afterthought for most people that fish the lake. With smallmouth averaging 2lbs and a few that might be double that size, it is well worth the time to go after them. Morning and evening are excellent times to try surface fishing with a few different colored poppers. The rest of the time I would use streamers in and around structure and drop-offs.
Other Area Lakes - Rat, Aeneas, and Blue Lake are prone to warm up a little quicker than the others so I would pay close attention to that before fishing them. If the temps are ok, then you may run into a little bit of dry fly action with adult damsel flies, mayflies in the #16 to #12 size. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with #12 leeches in olive or black along with buggers in the same size and colors. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and try some patterns that you don’t anyone else would use.
Bass fishing in Spectacle, Leader, Alta and Rebecca lake(s) are all doing good right now. Pretty standard times for popper fishing, mornings and evenings. Then switch over to different streams and crawfish patterns. Keep moving around to find the most productive areas.
Okanogan River (WA) - With the river now below 2000cfs it’s going to require you to pay a little more attention to the depth of the water if you are in a boat. Three key areas to think about to fish for bass are, the lower end around and upstream a mile or two from Monse. The next one would be midstream in the Okanogan to Omak area and the last place would be downstream a few miles from Oroville. Streamer patterns that are of a salmon smolt coloration has been what we will start off with. Also, streamers with white/chart in them is another good choice. At times the lower part of the river will have evening hatches of the big Hex’s that can make for some exciting top water action.
Methow River (WA) - The river is just about to edge down to under 1000cfs. Fishing for the resident cutts and bows is really good. The reports and pictures of the size of the cutthroats is impressive. Most are dry fly-fishing with Yellow Sallies, Golden stones and Chubbies and a few other foam flies. Caddis have been coming off pretty regular right now too so a #16 olive or tan caddis by its self or as a dropper off of a foam fly would be a good idea. For those nymphing, stones and a mix of other nymph patterns, such as Pheasant tails and Hares ear etc. Small to medium size streamers are still working, if you're more into swinging some.
Match the Hatch
1.) Mayflies – Parachute Adams, Christiaen’s GT Adams, Carlson’s Purple Haze
2.) Caddis – Elk Hair Caddis, TFP Party on Top Caddis, Blue Ribbon X2 caddis
3.) Stonefly – Jake's Hot Cake Golden, Fluttering Golden Stone
4.) Foam Flies – Chubby Chernobyl, J.Slam
5.) Hoppers – Morrish Hopper, More or Less
6.) Leeches – Chan's BMW, GB Slight Leech, RB Powder Leech
7.) Poppers – Froggy Bottom, Hard Popper, Bass Popper fl. Green Splatter
8.) Streamers – Sculpzilla, Belly Scratcher, Clouser, Cheech Leech, RJ’s Jiggy Worm
Need to fill the box before you go? Order flies online here.
Tips & Techniques
When fishing on the Methow with a dry fly, make it flutter on the surface. You will find that the trout like a moving target. Just keep it moving on the drift.
Besides the froggy colored poppers you might want to pick up a blue colored one to have in the box. I have found that a blue popper will get more attention than you might think. A simple Clouser Minnow in white/chart is probably the one fly that will get you bass when all other ones fail.
See past reports from the Omak region, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.