Eastern Washington Fishing Report 07.18.19

The way the weather has been it’s a wonder why we are not getting a little more action at the lakes. I know during a normal year we would be at that time when the waters might be a little too warm to fish the lakes for trout. This year, so far, it seems we are getting the water temperatures that are giving us a little more time to hit some of our area lakes. Depending on the lake, the average water temperature is right around 60 degrees until mid-day.

Current Conditions

Chopaka Lake - Water temperatures are still holding good. A warm sunning day may bump the temperatures up close to 65 degrees, so checking the water temperature and then again while you're on the water would be a good idea too. The shallower waters on the south end of the lake have been less productive than the northern waters. The only exception to this would be casting hopper patterns just off the shoreline on the east side of the lake. The north end of the lake is deeper water and stays cooler longer. You’ll want to get down to 15 to 20 feet with a good full sink line like a Scientific Anglers Seamless Density. A good leech pattern, booby fly, or a blob have been working well here. Pressure on the lake as dropped and you will find it easier to find a camping spot here. As long as the night time temperatures stay in the low to mid-50s and day time temperatures don’t get too high, fishing here should be good.

Aeneas Lake  - Surprisingly, water temperatures have been less then I would think they should be. Again, the water temperatures have been holding below 65 degrees in the mornings and early evenings. Moderate day time temperatures and lower nighttime temperatures have helped a lot to keep the water cooler than normal. Fishing pressure has been low with days when you could be the only person on the water. The main fly being used are leech patterns -small to medium size seems to be the norm. One of the other flies that seems to be holding its own is the blob. Going down to 20 feet or close to the bottom is what you will need to do. If you haven't heard of or used the new Scientific Anglers Parabolic sinking line, I would recommend it. This is a u-shaped sinking line that works great in making you fly swim.   

Bonaparte Lake - The water temperature at this lake is staying nice and cool and the fishing results are showing it. Topwater popper action in the morning for smallmouth bass has been good. Working in and around the weeds will get you into some fun times with smallmouth that average about 14 inches. You may have to try a couple of different colored poppers to find what the bass are liking that day. A good one to start off with would be anything that looks froggy.

If you're looking to hook into some of the lake's bigger trout, you will have to do a little hunting for them. In water that is five to eight feet, you will find plenty of 10 to 12-inch rainbow and tiger trout. Move out to the deeper water and you’ll find the big ones of those two plus bigger brook trout. One of the most important things to remember and bring with you is a selection of different buggers, leeches, and streamers. Don’t be afraid to keep switching until you find one pattern that is getting more action than the others. Having a sonar system will be a big help in shortening your hunting time and help you in locating at what depth the bigger fish are hanging at. A good double or triple density line will pay off big in getting your fly down to the depth the fish are holding at.

Okanogan River (WA) - The river has come down over a 1,000 cfs since last week. It is now at 1,560 cfs at the Tonasket gage. Fishing has been good from the mouth all the way up to the Oroville 97 bridge. Up toward Oroville smallmouth action has been good. There are a couple of public access sites, downriver of Oroville. One place I would recommend in that area would be Dricoll Island. In and around Omak and Okanogan are also good places to look for bass. Downriver of the Okanogan city’s sewer plant can be good. Streamers and larger buggers will get you the most results right now.

Methow River (WA) - With the river dropping down another 300 cfs since last week, wading should be no problem. The river is now at 590 cfs and still slowly dropping. The water is almost gin clear in most places. With that type of clarity, you want to be mindful of your approach to a run. Depending on the location of the fish holding water, you may need to make your first couple of casts from a little distance back. I’m seeing some nice cutthroats being caught throughout the river that is open to fishing. For the most part, it seems it is a foam/hopper game right now. Hoppers, chubbies, and J. slams are the most popular bug being used. Like I’ve said before, keep these types of bugs moving on the surface to increase your strikes.  Also, a medium-sized streamer in a sculpin or other small fish patterns is still catching the attention of a few larger cuts and rainbows.

Match the Hatch

Mayflies – Parachute Adams, Keller’s rocky mountain mint Adams, parachute purple rooster

Stimulators – Olive or orange

Foam Flies – Chubby chernobyl pink, purple, and tan, J. slam pink, peacock

Hoppers – Morrish hopper, more or less hopper green, tan or yellow

Leeches – Swimming leech, black, Hale Bopp, black or brown.

Poppers – Todd’s Wiggle minnow, popper splatter Fl. green chart or orange.

Streamers – Sculpzilla, Coffey’s sparkle minnow sculpin, Clouser chart/white, gray/white

Need to fill the box before you go? Order flies online here.

Tips & Techniques

When fishing your foam bugs, keep them moving -make them twitch and dance and look alive. Dead drifting them just doesn’t seem to work. Single hand Spey fishing with the short skagit heads will increase your shore fishing opportunities. We all have those spots that don’t have the room needed for a backcast, with single hand Spey casting you won't need it. Speaking of Spey casting, don’t forget your soft hackles. Swinging a soft hackle will surprise you on how many fish you will catch.

See past reports from the Omak region, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.