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Quinault Lake Report
Grays Harbor County, WA

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Details

05/21/2011
Trolling
Cutthroat Trout
Spoons
Morning
05/21/2011
5
1888

Nice two days at Quinalt, 10 fish each day, no Dollies, I had one up to the boat but it threw the hook. Downrigger and flatlining were producing the same with 5 fish on each both days.Weather was very nice although a litle cold on Friday with a cool wind coming from the Olympics.Biggest fish was 15 1/2 inches, a respectable fish for native spring cutthroat trout in the Quinalt system, The winning cut in the derby (June 4th)is usually no larger than 18 inches or so.Nice afternoon hike up to Gatten Falls, Great dayhiking system across from campgrounds.Bob R and Melanie


Comments

The Quadfather
5/21/2011 9:26:00 PM
Always appreciate your reports from the Quinault system, Bob.
bjperry
5/22/2011 12:39:00 AM
Doggone, your narrative and pictures remind me of home. I grew up in Quinault about a mile and a half past the Rain Forest Resort. Parents still live there (big red chalet style house on the third 90 degree corner going up the valley) and I try to get back often. Currently in Afghanistan trying to take the fight to the enemy. Believe me when I tell you, "There's no place like home." Keep up the reports.
afk
5/22/2011 7:31:00 AM
Wow Bob, your report has had an affect like no other can! Keep it up. Thanks
yooper_fisher
5/22/2011 11:16:00 AM
I agree with the above comments. I always enjoy reading your reports and seeing your pictures Bob :). One of these days I might try to make it over there to hook into one of those dollies
8Fish_box
5/22/2011 11:32:00 PM
Looks like another fine trip. Was the meat red?
Bob R
5/23/2011 5:37:00 AM
The fish were red, some redder then others, depends, if the fish was a searun the meat is generally redder then the resident cuts that reside in the lake, although they are red as well, ocasionally a resident will be paler but the meat is always firm.TheDollies range from pale red to medium red.The dollies do well on the grill or deepfried, usual things with the cuts work. Bob R
LittleTrib
5/24/2011 3:06:00 PM
Great reports, looks like you do very well on that lake.

Just wondering, how much pressure do you see on that lake? I imagine not very much, but I have a feeling that a bunch of stringers of native kelt cutthroat can really dent the population in the system.

Also, how is the fishing in July/August? I will be in the area, targeting summer steelhead and fly fishing for some resident trout in the op headwaters. I might rent a boat for a day and troll around.
Thanks
Bob R
5/24/2011 3:48:00 PM
Pressure after derby is pretty much non-existent, it actually has been dropping off in the last few years.Fishing in July and August is good although we usually are on downrigger at that point as fish are generally below the thermalcline which runs from 25 to 40 ft. down and we would rather use ultra-light rods and not have a lot of weight on there. Lots of cuts, if a lot of people started fishing it there may be a drop, but it can be a tough fishery to newbies and the tribal license fee and rules against water-skiing and jet skis keep the crowds away.If you are into fly fishing there is a hatch of giant ants that happens in late june or early July, we've seen cuts just busting with their guts fulls of ants, we had some ant flies custom tied in Oly. but haven't tried them, maybe this year. We;'ve never limited out (limit is 12 fish per person of which only 4 can be dollies, our best day we limited on Dollies with16 fish between us, and that is a long day, so it is a steep curve to produce throughout the sason.Good luck, any other questions (other than lure selection for derby!) just ask. Tight lines, Bob R
LittleTrib
6/28/2011 8:26:00 PM
Thanks Bob
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709