Eastern Washington Fishing Report 10.04.18
Omak Lake (WA)
Fishing from shore is still producing bites as hungry Lahontan cutthroats prowl just out of sight of the shoreline. Schools of minnows are moving up and down the shoreline and as such this will keep the hungry cutthroats close by. All three areas, Mission Bay, Nicholson Beach, and Cowpie Beach are producing good results. Since my last report, the only boat launch that is still open is at Nicholson Beach. This can be a little tricky but doable. Look it over before you try launching your boat there and then make your own call on it.
It goes without saying minnow patterns are the fly of choice right now. One pattern that worked very well was the Bown’s Mandolin Minnow in white, or white and gray. You’ll want to fish it on a type 3 sink tip or a full intermediate line close to the bottom, in 3 to 10-feet of water. A Franke Shiner is the other one I had some luck with. If using minnows does not get you much action, using black, purple, or olive leeches will work too. Also, bloodworms have been picking a few fish up along the way. The best time to be on the lake is before noon and then again after 4 p.m., late afternoon.
Blue Lake (Sinlahekin, WA)
The brown trout are on the bite at the north end of the lake, and the rainbows are in the southern part. A lot of the browns are over the 18-inch mark. And, rainbows are averaging about 16-inches with a few nice carryovers close to 20-inches. Fishing in close to shore, in 4 to 10-feet of water is where the browns were most active. The top pattern to use is the bobby fly with leech patterns coming in a close second. The white booby minkie and the cystal bistol viva booby were the most popular for booby flies. For leeches using a #12 maroon Chan’s bmw and a #10 maroon simi seal leech, did the trick. Also, run a type 3 or 5 full sinking line for the booby flies, just remember to keep them moving with 6 to 12-inch strips. For the leeches in the shallower water, an intermediate line or a type 3 full sink for the deeper water is best. It’s fall stillwater time, and like always, it’s a good time to be on the water.
Big Twin Lake (WA)
Plenty of fat rainbows from to 15 to 16-inches are on the bite. Respectable numbers are being reported per hour of fishing! The fishing down to about 12-feet all the way up into 3-feet of water is where you will find hungry bows. Micro leeches, both balanced and standard, are getting a lot of results too. Plus, a #16 red or olive Rowley bb micro leech, a #14 red or pumpkin head leech, a #12 olive-red bead powder leech are the patterns that are working now as well. The next pattern that is working at Big Twin is, once again, the bobby fly. Also, using a #10 crystal bistol viva and a #8 peacock Chan’s Las Vegas booby leech will do the trick.
For the booby flies you’ll want to use a full sinking line in a type 3 for the deeper depths. If you need to present the fly a little higher up from the bottom, attach a 5-foot booby tip to your sinking line. This will bring it up and give you more of an up and down movement when you strip it back. Depending on the depth you are fishing your leeches, a type 3 full sinking line or an intermediate will cover your needs. Big Twin closes at the end of the month so, now is a good time to get some great fall fishing done on the lake.
See past reports from the Omak region, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.