Chelan Reports August 26th, 2014

    What’s hot is the emerging morning pattern of fishing the Bar at first light for an hour, move to the tip of Wapato Pt. for an hour or two then transition to the face of Manson Bay as the morning ripens. 

    We have moved to fishing baited squid rigs almost exclusively.  The front of those squid rigs are a Mack’s Lure Smile Blade, usually in glow.  Then we invert a small Action Disk by wigglefin.com.  A couple of beads act as a bearing to allow the blade and disk to rotate without twisting the line.  Then glow squids from 2.5 to 3.5 inches are used.  We put a Worden Lures corky behind that then tie a tandem Matuo 2/0 sickle hooks about 2” apart to complete the ensemble.  We bait the front hook with a piece of Northern Pikeminnow and scent everything with Pautzke’s Krill Juice mixed with petroleum jelly as a cover scent. 

    With it still being pretty dark for our 5:30 AM morning starts, the Bar has been good to great for the first hour of light.  Depths in the 120’s to 140’s work best.  Then moving to the tip of Wapato Pt. seems to produce pretty well from about 6:30 to 8AM.  This is all in the 120’s.  Then sliding over into Manson Bay works until 9 or 10 AM.  Depths vary all the way from 130 to 270 there.  With these squid rigs your target speed should be 1.3 mph.  As always the key is maintaining proximity to the bottom. 

    Your fishing tip of the week is to use Sam’s Pro Release by Silver Horde for your downrigger release.  This very simple “set tension” release is simple to use and will help eliminate time wasting false releases.  

    The kid’s tip of the week is to give them air time when they are interrupting groups of adults.  A quick “wait your turn” reprimand is in order, but you must come back to them rather quickly so they can say their piece.  It is important in the long, sometimes painful process of civilizing small children.  

    The safety tip of the week is to remember to keep safe distances when traveling with another boat.  I’ve watched a number of boats running parallel courses at the same speed this summer.  I cringe to think what would have happened if someone made a quick sweve because of a bee or because a log was in front.  Give yourself time to react if something unexpected happens!  Enjoy the last of summer as Labor Day approaches…

Pictured:  8/25/14:  The Youngberg clan from Anacortes with their mornings catch of Lake Chelan Mackinaw.

Also Pictured:  8/21/14:  Brian Riseland with son Evan (13) and Steve Schwartz with son Zach (6) from Woodinville with their mornings catch of Lakers.