Northwest Reel Life July 2024 Volume 3 Issue 9 - Flipbook - Page 9
The fun thing about this
type of fishing is that some
of the biggest fish move
the indicator the least. Keep
the rod tip low, touching
the surface of the water,
and be ready to set the
hook. Like a rattlesnake.
Finding the feeders is the
main thing with fishing
chironomids. One trick is
to drive the boat over the
place you will fish then
with a hemostat clamped
to the bottom hook, gauge
the depth of the water.
Then adjust the float so
that it puts the bottom fly
something like 18 inches
off the bottom. That puts
the top fly 36 inches off
the bottom. Pay attention
to which bug gets bit the
most and reset the rods
accordingly.
You might have heard
of the big bait-big fish
principle. That doesn't apply
to midge larvae. Big trout
eat a whole of a lot of these
tiny things.
WHERE TO ANCHOR UP
FOR TROUT
A large mountain Stillwater
in a forested setting, Lake
of the Woods is fed by
several creeks but gets the
majority of its water from
groundwater seepage. The
deepest water is found
along the western shore
where the depth is reported
as 50 to 55 feet. There is a
good mix of shallows where
weeds and bugs grow and
colder water deeps and
rocky ledges, which makes
for interesting fishing.
The resort is situated on the
eastern side of the lake on
the north shore of Rainbow
Bay.
One of the best spots for
trout is just outside of
the marina. Anchor up
anywhere within 100 to 150
yards of the marina and
within casting distance of
either the east shore or the
west shore. Anywhere out
in front of the marina can
hold trout.
The other great trout area
is along the west shore
where a deep ledge makes
for a great spot to anchor
up or troll for rainbows and/
or kokanee and the browns
that hunt them.
We caught nine trout, a
catfish, a perch, and a
couple of smallmouth bass
in a couple of hours on
both fly-fishing gear and
spinning gear.
Standard trout rules apply
for the Southeast Zone with
a limit of 5 trout per day
(only 1 trout over 20 inches)
and 25 kokanee per day in
addition to the trout limit.
There is a 5 bass limit with
only 1 bass over 15 inches.
Angling is allowed 24 hours
per day.
This lake is capable of
growing hatchery trout
big and holding them
over. Trout can be caught
year-round, but spring
and fall are peak seasons
for rainbows and browns.
Trolling is popular on the
lake, but still-fishing can fill
out a limit faster, at least in
my opinion.
Looking for a family fishing
tradition to start? It's hard
to beat Lake of the Woods
with something for the
whole family, even those
cone-licking cousins who
grew up in Sacrapimento.
Heck, you might even teach
them to fish.
Gary Lewis Bio
Gary Lewis is an award-winning author, TV host, speaker and photographer. Recent books
include Fishing Central Oregon, 6th Edition, Fishing Mount Hood Country and Bob Nosler Born
Ballistic. Gary has hunted and fished in eight countries on three continents and in the islands
of the South Pacific. Born and raised in the Northwest, he has been walking forest trails and
running rivers for as long as he can remember. Lewis is twice past president of the Northwest
Outdoor Writers Association and a recipient of NOWA’s Enos Bradner Award.
FOR A SIGNED COPY OF FISHING
MOUNT HOOD COUNTRY, SEND
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Contact Gary Lewis at
garylewisoutdoors.com