Eastern Washington Fishing Report 12.27.17

Rocky Ford

If I can say one thing about fishing Rocky Ford this time of the year is this, "Dress warm.” Rocky Ford is a spring creek and does not really freeze, but you will if you skimp on the warm cloths. Fishing has been really good. Some may have read a recent news article about a 30-inch rainbow caught there not to long ago. You may not be so lucky to hook into a bruiser like that but 20-24-inch bows are a high possibility. Bring your favorite 5 weight or 6-weight loaded with floating line. Throw in a couple of 5-inch tips, such as a Type 2 or an intermediate and you should have your bases covered. If you feel you don’t need a sinking tip, long leaders over 10 feet would be a good idea. Size 16-20 olive or olive/grey scuds should be in your box along with a few #10 leeches in black or olive. Medium-size streamers are a must to have in the box. A #8 white or olive Sculpzilla or the simple #8 white or olive Zonker should get the job done, too.

Rufus Woods

Rufus Woods has been a little spotty lately. Went out the other a day and was able to hook into a couple of nice rainbows in the 18-20- inch class, but I had to work for them. I hooked up a couple swinging flies with my 6-weight Echo 3 switch rod. I was working some seem water up by Grand Coulee Dam. I've had a couple reports from other anglers that running Balanced Leech patterns under an indicator is working for them. A black or purple #8 TFP Balanced Squirrel leech, a #8 Pumpkin Head leech were the flies they were having the most action on. With the possibility of large fish in the area, I would recommend a 6-weight rod. Most of the reports seem to be coming from around the net pens.

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