Lake Chelan Report From 5/31/16 - Anton Jones

LAKE CHELAN AREA FISHING REPORT FOR 5/31/16

    What’s hot is trolling for Lake Trout on Chelan early in the morning at Colyar Ledge.   Also hot is trolling the face of Manson Bay for Lake Chelan Lakers.  Finally, Omak Lake is hot for Lahontan cutthroat while Wapato Lake has been producing quality planter Rainbows. 

    When the wind lets you fish the early morning bite at Colyar Ledge, it is very good.  The best depths seem to be between 220 and 270 feet.  Evenings are best in Manson Bay in depths of 140 to 270 feet deep.  As always, fish within 3 to 5 feet of the bottom and keep your speed around 1.2 mph.  The Mack’s Lure Bead and Blade combo our guide, Jeff Witkowski has developed has been very productive.  He uses a bead combo to give the rig about a 4” long profile.  Bait this rig with a chunk of Northern Pikeminnow.  T4 Purple Glow Flatfish and Silver Horde Kingfisher Lite spoons have also been productive. 

    Omak should still remain quite good for Lahontan Cutthroat.  However, it can get hotter than… well, really hot down in there when we get 100+ in Chelan. 

    Also, Wapato Lake has still been kicking out nice limits of rainbows. 

    Finally, Roses Lake has become an early summer mecca for Channel Catfish.  One of 16.9 pounds was recently caught. 

    Your fishing tip of the week is to remember scent.  I use Pautzke’s Krill Juice on everything as a cover scent.  You don’t want those fish to shy away as they charge your lure. 

    The kid’s tip of the week is to keep the fishing foray’s short this time of the year.  A couple of hours is plenty.  With the first big hot spell of the summer rolling in you don’t want to make it a survival test out there.  Work the hours of low light and cooler temperatures.  Mid-days this time of the year are good for swimming and staying cool inside. 

    Your safety tip of the week is to keep a sharp look out for floating debris.  The lake has filled those last few inches floating some really big logs.  You don’t want to hit them! 

    As we finish the Memorial Day weekend, I want to remember my friends, Terry Gilden who died in the 1983 Beirut embassy bombing and Randy Shughart who died in the 1993 Mogadishu incident made famous by the movie, Blackhawk Down.  Both were members of Delta when they died.  I had the privilege to serve with them in the Rangers when we were young.  I get to do the things I love doing and spend time with my grandkids because of their sacrifice.