by Dave Graybill, January 07, 2013
We’ve settled into the mid-winter rhythm of fishing here in Central Washington. Anglers are splitting their time between fishing the main stem Columbia for steelhead and Rufus Woods Reservoir for triploid rainbow. We’re still waiting for the ice to form on the popular ice fishing lakes. While we’re waiting for the ice to get solid, there are some other distractions. The sport shows that take place this time of year are coming up, and are a great way to spend the weekend with the family. They are a great way to celebrate outdoor recreation, indoors.
The first of these shows that I look forward to each season and have attended multiple times is the Tri-Cities Sportsmen’s Show, held at the TRAC Center in Pasco. It’s scheduled for January 18th through the 20th. One of the special features of this show are the 3-D archery range, where archers are invited to bring their own bow to shoot the course. Also back this year is Cee Dub with his Dutch Oven Cooking. Another popular activity that is fun to watch is the hunting dog retrievers at work.
The Schuyler family that has been putting on this show and others for over 20 years has always put an emphasis on activities that are fun for the kids. They have a very large list of things to do for youngsters at this one. The Lunker Lake Fishing Pond is one of the busiest spots at the show every year, and there is a new twist. There will be specially marked fish in the pond this year, with a cash prize awarded to the young anglers that catch them. Also, kids can help our efforts to enhance waterfowl in our region by building a Wood Duck Box. A fun shooting activity is the Crossbow Shooting Range, where youngsters fire foam darts at targets. There is air rifle shooting available again this year, too, as well as a balloon shoot with a bow and arrow. Another activity for kids that I think is new this year is the Cabalas Young Sportsmen’s Journal, where kids get a journal and log their progress through a scavenger hunt for a prize.
Dad can split his time between keeping the kids busy and visiting with the huge number of guide services, lodges and associations that will be represented at the show. There will be a full schedule of presentations and seminars by local guides and fishing experts again this year. Mom can take advantage of the great bargains in outdoor and cooking and camping supplies that are available at the show, too.
Entrance to these shows is very affordable. The cost for adults is $9.00, kids age 6 to 12 get in for $4.50 and kids under six are free. When you pay these entry fees once you get in all three days of the show. Friday is Senior Day and those over 60 pay just $4.50. Sunday is Family Day, and two adults and two kids age 6 to 12 get into the show for a total of $18.00. Show opens on Friday at 1 p.m. and runs until 7 p.m. It opens on Saturday at 10 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. On Sunday the show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A good place to catch a mess of trout before it freezes is Roses Lake, near Manson at Lake Chelan. According to Anton Jones, Darrell and Dads Family Guide Service, fishing for rainbow on this lake is very good. While trolling here with Rooster Tails and cone head Muddler minnow patterns he had excellent luck. He pulled these lures at 1.5 to 2 mph and put them at 15 to 20 feet deep. On his last outing there his party caught and released 33 rainbow in 2.5 hours of fishing. The trout ranged in size from 11 to 16 inches. He mentioned that he wasn’t the only one having a blast catching fish. Shore anglers were also doing very well. Most of them were fishing with dough baits fished on a slip sinker rig. Jones also mentioned that fishing for lake trout on Lake Chelan continues to be good. He is spending most of his time in the area of the Yacht Club and below Wapato Point.
In between traveling to the various sports shows coming up in January and February I will be fishing for steelhead on the Columbia River. This can often be the best time of the year to be below Wells Dam. I have also had some spectacular days below Chief Joseph Dam. Wherever I go and whatever I do, I’ll keep you posted.
By Dave Graybill
fishingmagician.com
