potholes w/out a boat

[Dustin07]

a buddy and I are hitting mar don this weekend but without a boat for the first time... I dont know the area super well, I just always had a boat when I was there. Any specific tips or suggestions on which of the smaller lakes might yield some fun from the shore? I don't think either of us even care WHAT we catch as long as we're catching. I haven't been out since last summer

[Gringo Pescador]

Lots of options in the Seep Lakes area. Buy one of the little Seep Lake maps that they sell at the little store there at Mardon - think it is like $3 and ask em where the action is.

Haven't been there in a couple years but my personal favorite is Upper Hampton, park at Lower Hampton and hike around the east end of it (over the hill) and continue to follow it to the north end which puts you between the Upper & Lower. Then follow the Upper lake on the west side to the inside of the horseshoe (lake is shaped like a horse shoe) had luck all around the inside of that horseshow with PB about 24" off the bottom.

Oh, it is too early for snakes, but not ticks - after bushwhacking all day, make sure to do a tick-check..

[Dustin07]

thank you very much, exactly the type of tip i was hoping for! I had a buddy kinda give me the run-down of the seeps about 2-3 years ago as a pre-duck season scouting trip, but I never made it back. so I know there's some goodies in there, I just was hoping not to wander aimlessly for 3 days through the desert, lol.

[MarkFromSea]

thank you very much, exactly the type of tip i was hoping for! I had a buddy kinda give me the run-down of the seeps about 2-3 years ago as a pre-duck season scouting trip, but I never made it back. so I know there's some goodies in there, I just was hoping not to wander aimlessly for 3 days through the desert, lol.

I second Gringo's suggestion. A map from Mar Don and recent conditions/reports. Upper Hampton used to be my "go to" lake for the March first opener for trout.... Regs have changed, it's an April first opener now. Wandering aimlessly through the Seeps is a lot of fun though. Deer, coyotes porcupines and birds of all types are back in there. I do miss the days when we could camp pretty much any where in the Seeps. Depending on the weather and where you're staying, just plunking from Mar Don's dock used to be pretty productive as well. If you happen to be staying there, give the dock a try after dark as well. At times, it was a slaughter!

[Dustin07]

many thanks Mark! we are indeed setting up HQ at Mar Don

[Gringo Pescador]

Oh yeah! The Mardon dock is fun also, never know what you got until you get it in. I caught my PB smallie from it, just playing around twitching a black jig off the bottom.

[TroutSnipr]

There is a lot of bank access around the Perch Point Resort. I used to do really well there with a standard powerbait rig (dough on a #12/14 treble on about 4' of 2-4# test and then a #14 snelled egg hook in about the middle of the leader with a magnum power egg. That tied to some 8lb braid with a swivel and a 3/8oz egg sinker on the mainline. Huck it out there, draw the swivel up tight against the sinker and then open the bail on the reel. GPS is approximately Lat 46.997217, Long -119.281207

[Dustin07]

There is a lot of bank access around the Perch Point Resort. I used to do really well there with a standard powerbait rig (dough on a #12/14 treble on about 4' of 2-4# test and then a #14 snelled egg hook in about the middle of the leader with a magnum power egg. That tied to some 8lb braid with a swivel and a 3/8oz egg sinker on the mainline. Huck it out there, draw the swivel up tight against the sinker and then open the bail on the reel. GPS is approximately Lat 46.997217, Long -119.281207

wow, couldn't ask for much more than that, thank you very much! located the spot on google maps already. Love coords!

[Bodofish]

Medicare Beach is always a popular spot.

[TroutSnipr]

Yeah I always had pretty good luck there too.It can be combat fishing around the opener (as can the Mar-Don areas) which is why I always looked for alternate locations, but with this being free fishing weekend my guess is it'll be pretty crowded at the popular spots.

[Dustin07]

but with this being free fishing weekend .

gug...didn't even realize.....

[Bodofish]

I doubt it will matter over there. I've seen very few people go to fish a free weekend. My 2 cents, if they're interested in fishing, they already have a license and they've been going.

[Dustin07]

I think more than anything we will probably try to venture into the Seeps, with Mar Don being HQ. but its nice to know that the dock is waiting there should my lazy butt and cooler of beer decide that crossing the street is just too far. lol

I did get down to Auburn Sports today though and 'tooled up' on my bass gear. new hooks, weights, etc. Since going back to school my fishing time has been cut from almost daily, to rarely. I am soooo ready for this weekend. and sun. lol

[Bodofish]

PM sent.......

[Dustin07]

much appreciated, replied

[YellowBear]

If you do decide to wonder around in the seep lakes area, we are seeing Snakes.

[Bodofish]

It is where they live.......

[Dustin07]

ha, I'm a pretty smart guy, but not smart enough to worry about snakes.

thanks for all the tips guys! bassin' was low to non existant for us. just didn't feel like fighting the incessant wind. however, we did get into a fair amount of trout and had a good time overall! Thanks Bodo ;)

[racfish]

When fishing in Ea Wa I usually take a ski pole just for snakes. I walk like a blind person does waving the cane in front so they will rattle ifin they are around. Fly fishing Rocky Ford I seen lots of snakes. Take a stick or a 22 rifle.Or both.

[Dustin07]

Good idea, i've only seen one rattler in eastern wa myself, ever. but it was a BIG one that I saw scouting deer in the chelan area. big big big and late season. I think it was already late sept or early oct.