47 trout, 3 pounds a piece, hmm.

I wasnt there and you were but I would just like to see this to believe it.

I've been out there, I've seen all the photos of fish from this lake, and I've fished with AA before.. if he said it happened, it happened. Congrats AA. I'll bet you had a smile on your face the entire day. I'll be picking up my new boat Wed and should be done prepping it and breaking it in by Sunday. Not sure that I'll be heading back out to Rock until I am more familiar with the boat and trailer though. Having lost 15" since the high mark is it still safe to launch a 20' boat? What do you consider "low" water conditions?

I have fished Rock on several occassions, and at times the bite is just on. We have had days where we hook up with 25 - 30 trout, but not every fish is in excess of 20 plus inches. Sounds like one heck of a day!

LOL, I am not surprised that some do not believe, in fact, I have been under reporting all season because of this. On the trip with Aaron, well. it was my worst trip of the year so far. We just caught the fish during transition and I did not have the pattern quite right. If the water changes quickly, I may lose the pattern again.

Still, there is a reason that I do so well there, I know every rock, every cove, every ledge, and every underwater current, like it is in my own back yard. Did you notice that I had a crayfish trap out (hope the thief benefits from it)? I try to keep tabs on what the current forage is, the size, the color, the quantity. I seldom fish with bait, but I know that fish feed on whatever the prevelent forage species at the time. Did you also notice that I always report the temperature of the water, the clarity, and the realitive depth changes? I am considering planting a stainless steel pole into the ground with depth marks on it so I can record specifically the changes. How many of you key in on that kind of detail? Hint, take the time on your favorite lakes to do the same. It matters little if you are fishing for trout, bass, walleye, Tiger Musky, etc., the devil is in the details.

Aaron, if you remember, there are three places to launch a boat at Rock, if people do not park in front of them. You have the normal North spot, and it will be getting difficult to launch a 20' boat from there pretty soon. You will need your hip boots to launch and load it now. You probably remember my way of launching my boat, but I do need my waders to load it. You have two spots that have a steep drop that are a few feet to the South. The south most spot is best, but I find I need to use my 4x4 to pull out without slipping wheels. I believe you can get a 20' boat in that spot anytime of the year, but again, 4x4. Also, remember the drop off that I showed you on the depth finder, don't back to far to fast. Still, best to get your boat wet at normal places first and get familuar with how it loads and launches before you tackle Rock with a boat that size.

Now, one last thing, very few, if any, did as well as we did. One boat I talked to said they caught a couple while trolling near the first bay on the northwest side, but he said it just died on him. Several boats would go by us, stop and watch us, then move on. The devil is in the details, pay attention to the fish, not to me.

One last thing, not every fish was 3 pounds, that was the average. We picked up one Rainbow that was probably only 8", but had may more over 20", so remember, average is the key. Still, no 5 pounders today, so most were just good solid and fat fish. I don't remember ever seeing the browns this fat this early in the year.

Having fished Rock, I have no doubt his report is legit there is no need for people to question it. Sorry to hear about your trap, that sucks that someone would steal it. Just an fyi, in case a warden was around crawfish season doesn't open until Monday. Thanks for the report, and btw I have under reported as well. If I catch like 20+ fish I just post that fishing was great or don't report so I don't have to argue with those that must lack the skills if they have to question someones catch. Thanks for the report!

Jake, I was not aware that there was a different season for crayfish then for the regular fresh water fish in any given lake. I'll need to look that up so I am in compliance. In this case, they would have been quickly released, right after measurements, and a close up photo - so compliance in spirit, but not in application?????

Oh, ya, there is a feature now where we can actually delete someones comments to our post if we are offended. Note, I am never offended, so bring it on. I actually kind of hope that no one believes me anyway. LOL

I think a lot of people pay attention to clarity, structure, water temp., points, so forth and so on. They just don't mention it in as great of detail. Nobody is questioning anyones skill set here. I think it is great you caught 47 trout over 3 pounds. I wish I had that kind of success, but I don't fish for trout at Rock weekly. Maybe next time you will have a camera.

Anglinarcher. I totally believe your story because there are Anglers with the skill and know how who pride themselves on being a cut above the rest. My biggest German brown out of Park lake in Grant county was a certified trophy, a 33" Brute that weighed in at 14 pounds. I made sure to have a lot of photos taken to silence the naysayers.A photo is posted at Sunlakes resort of that fish too. I had the fish mounted at Gray's taxidermy of Moses Lake. I gave been critisized for sharing too much info on this site, yet awesome people took the time to teach me and I am a better fisherman for it. Congratulations on your success. TJM

LOL - Riprap, I had a camera, I just don't see how it applies this time. You can't show 47 fish in one or two photos, unless they are dead, and there are so many reasons that is not going to happen. Additionally, a couple of 3 # or 4 # fish don't really tell the story either. Also, it takes time away from my fishing to snap a couple of pictures of fish I am not keeping. Now, if it was a 10 pounder, maybe. I also did not take time to photo the deer, elk, or ............ OK, maybe I should stop and smell the roses. I'll bet I know what you fish Rock for, and perhaps we will see each other 'when the water warms' a little. Jigmiester, it is not that I take pride in being a cut above the rest, it is because I am an Engineer (read science geek), an outdoor enthusiast, and fishing calms me down so I don't loose my mind. I approach a lake as if it were a problem that had to be solved, with a deadline, and with severe consequences if it is not. There have been times when my bosses suggest that I should take the day off and go fishing (ouch). I spend a lot of time on the water, and that makes a huge difference. My wife tells me she will not allow another animal to be mounted on the wall, and people always claim you photoshopped pictures, and there is no resort at Rock to post pictures, so in the end, it is my word or nothing. I don't mind, in fact, I find it funny. Congratulations on your fish, a 33" Brown is tough to come by in Washington, so you should be very happy with that.

AA - You are being quite the sport, and I believe! Had it not been true you would have likely just let it go, however I would like to see a pic of 47 fat browns......it would be a first! I also concur with you, the water is the only place I have been able to find that completely frees and clears my mind. Catching fish is just a bonus. And yes, the bass fishing on this body of water is challenging. Well it's challenging to keep your gear anyway. Perhaps I will see you at the lake later this year. Oh, if you are going to post such successful trips share some of the knowledge man! Thanks for releasing the big girls, I know my old man would love to smoke em! What is the biggest trout you have seen come out of Rock?

AA. This as close to the 82nd Airborne comaraderie that I have found in the civilian world. Fishermen, for the most part ,are as close to true brotherhood as I know. Wether computer geek, engineer or a Boeing tech, all of us share a common bond, a love for the sport. I will be fishing soon with a guy that I met on this site, and it amazes me how truely awesome sharing tips, stories and techniques can be. With my Big brown, it was a miracle that I landed that fish on a Quantum Micro ultralight. Right place, right time, and as with your Rock Lake success, right presentation and approach on the water. Those memories are precious and the photos to be treasured, for all time sake. Life for me is defined by my passion for my favorite hobby -fishing. Thankyou for sharing, my Brother. TJM

Rriprap, I'll try to send you a PM. I won't give the information out to the public because there are already boats following me around now. I almost ruined a lake in Colorado when I was in the Military because I gave too much information to the public, then every walleye fishermen in Colorado Springs and Pueblo were parked over the spots, tossing the right presentation, taking every single fish they could get. Jigmiester, worked with the 82nd a few times in my days in the Army. Went to their initial jump school, but I was slated for other army duties.

It is one thing to post on a lake once in a while it is another to keep posting about all the great days that you keep having. Sometimes it is better to keep your hand to yourself. This guy just likes to toot his own horn. I have fished Rock lake for 20 years and had many great days out there and rarely told anyone the when where and how I was fishing. Most of the fun in fishing is in the puzzle in the how and why and not how many or how big one catches. The crowds down there have not gotten any smaller thanks to this Great Fisherman. Please keep your reports more on conditions rather than results thanks Anglinarcher.....

OK, just for Fishfungus I won't post anymore on Rock. To bad, I had an interesting one about last Saturday. But............I don't want to toot my own horn. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm, thought that was the point of this site. ROFLOL

Surely you're just tooting FFs horn now.. AA? No more reports?

Aaron, mostly, FF and I just don't always see eye to eye. I am on the road right now, so reports would be late. But one follow-up that will at least show up in the permanent Rock Lake reports is the following: We caught one ~24"Brown that had a 8" rainbow in it's throat. Now, are we fishing with too small a lure??????????

Very interesting item from anglinarcher about the boat launching at Rock Lake, am planning to go there in about a week, and have a 21' inboard jet boat on a tandem axle trailer, pulled by a strong 4x4, do you think I would have a problem launching this boat there? I am experienced at launching off the gravel, if I can get the jet pump in the water then launching will not be a bog problem.
kenbarbnew

kenbarb, I don't want to lead you wrong, so I will start by saying it will not be easy. But, now that I have my "legal disclaimer" out of the way, ................ Remember that you have the main launching point, then two steeper ones to the South. The south most launch, if no one parks in front of it, would be your best one. There is a drop off if you back too much, so take it slow and easy, but I have gently pulled my tiers over it before. The north spot, the one that is normally used, will work, but take the time to get out and wade the spot to find the holes and rocks. A tandem trailer can get hooked up bad, and I don't want anyone to damage there trailer. If I thought I would not land in jail, I'd have one of my Subcontractors hoe ram the launch out late this summer, but in today's world, no good deed goes un punished, and there is no way I am going to seek for permits at a leased launch point.

Anglinarcher, thank you very much for the launching tips, Barb ( my wife ) and I will give it a go this Saturday, any fishing information for a first timer on the lake would be appreciated. Am not asking for any of your specific hot spots, just things like trolling, casting, downriggers, which end of lake is normally best --- we will primarly be fishing for Browns and Rainbows. If you are on the lake Sat. and see a white Northwest Jet boat with maroon top and the name Kingfisher written on it say "Hello".
kenbarb