The King of kings: 41 1/2" length by 23" girth
Fished the Potholes Reservoir early in the week, and what a difference 100-degree weather and an open spill way make–the Dunes had dropped around 4ft in a week’s time! The bass continue to be aggressive early and late and they are averaging around three pounds a fish. We had our first panfish quest and we lit them up. Some of the bigger bluegill were around one pound. For those of you with prop boats, be on the look out for submerged sand dunes especially around the west arm and crab creek; surface temps were in the 80’s.
Locally, the Sky River is seeing very light pressure and the fish seem to be happy about that. Kings are there for catch and release and steelhead are around as well. Less pressure means more aggressive fish, no doubt about it. We were using eggs, along with casting spinners. Bring along a good pair of polarized glasses and you can see the fish in some of the holes. The floaters and bathers come out around noon, so set your clock accordingly.
The first humpy salmon should be entering the river any time now, which means it’s time to break out everything and anything that’s pink. I will be scouting the Snohomish River here very shortly.
The Cowlitz had its flows increased over the past week-and-a-half and the fish catching increased as well. The bait divers are probably the best bet, but side-drifting is still catching its share of the fish. It is just too bad that the fish race to barrier dam now instead of holding around Blue Creek. I just hope they can turn this once off the hook fishery back to what is was…OFF the HOOK! Give me a call and let’s catch some fish.
See you on the water.
Bonner Daniels
PS *** Save the Tokul Creek Fish Hatchery Summer Run Steelhead*** Write your congressman!