Northwest Fishing Reports

It seems with the weather pattern we have been having the past month, that the trout are
transitioning into shallow waters. The last three weeks I went fishing, the fish seem to stay
6-12 ft from the surface. Prior to this, about 11am the fish would go down to 15-25 ft. So
I think the water transition has begun into the fall pattern. I think it just started, but the past
few years, this started in September. If this weather continues to cool the surface temp, which
looking at the weather for the next week, it will. I think September and October are going to
be excellect fishing for trout, and probably better than the past few years. The past
three trips out in the morning, I have had to put in 3-4 hrs to get my limit. Fishing is slow
right now. But with 2 more weeks of cool weather, I think the bite will pick up.

I have noticed the same on the east side of the state. Since we had an early summer and it stayed hot for so long, I think that fall is just around the corner. The fish do move into the shallows in the fall. One reason around the Spokane area is the fall crane fly hatch. The browns at Clear Lake will move into the back bays as soon as the cool nights come and the boat traffic subsides. I have gotten 22" browns in Mallard Bay cruising in 6"-8" of water right at sunset in the last part of Sept. They are taking the emerging crane flies.
As soon as the first hard frost hits, the trout will be foraging for any food they can get. That is a good time to fish using flies that immitate insects that are in the water all year around, like a water boatman. By that time most of the mayfly and damsel flies are over for the year. Generally the fish "fatten up" for the winter, so the fall is always a great time to fish.
Keep us posted as to how you do.

I think you are right, I caught a 14" rainbow at Cottage Lake out of a boat on Sunday. I only targeted trout for about 10 minutes and was fishing in about 10' of water. So I think the transition is starting also. Tight lines.

I think, and I hope, that you guys are all right. Last year August was a scorcher on the east side and the heat continued into early September. In my opinion this caused a local lake, Medical, to not turn on until mid-September. Amber seemed to start up later in September also. In September of 2003, 2004, and 2005 both these lakes trout populations were on extremely active by the 1st week of September and remained as such through September. In 2003-2005 I'd have 10-12 fish evenings due to cooler water and fish fattening up for the winter. And similar to what Marc mentioned, patterns only matter somewhat. Fish are hungry at this time of the year. They will move into the cooler, shallow water and will take numerous patterns, just as they do in April and May.

I really hope this cooling trend continues. If so we're in for loads of fun. Let the great fall feed begin!!!

Do you think thiks will aplie to an early silver salmon season?

I ain't so optimistic about an early fall. We just had a bad August as far as temperatures go and the fish are just taking advantage of the rich forage in shallower water. I have a feeling that after we get through this mild weekend's weather, summer will be back with a vengeance. I am still not looking for a fall transition until the first week of deer season in October and then it will come fast.

Hey Cavdad, is it that hot in your neck of the woods? Here in eastern Washington, and certainly in western Washington, we should see some drastically cooler water temps by mid-September. While our daytime highs may still range in the 80s our overnight lows drop into the 40s and 50s, causing the lakes to cool rapidly.

P.S. Just curious....are you or were you once an Army Scout? I'm simply asking due to the "Cav" thing.

raffensg64 wrote:Hey Cavdad, is it that hot in your neck of the woods? Here in eastern Washington, and certainly in western Washington, we should see some drastically cooler water temps by mid-September. While our daytime highs may still range in the 80s our overnight lows drop into the 40s and 50s, causing the lakes to cool rapidly.

P.S. Just curious....are you or were you once an Army Scout? I'm simply asking due to the "Cav" thing.

My son played football for the Clackamas Cavaliers and his jersey was 45.

It is still plenty warm in SW Washington. T-shirt weather.