So we decided to try Lake Pateros.....

[Matt]

A few buds and I decided to take advantage of the recent gap in the snow and rain to make a trip over the mountains to Pateros, Washington for some steelhead action. We arrived Friday afternoon, checked into Pateros Motor Inn on the lake and headed out to fish by around 12:30pm. Day one was an experiment as none of us had ever been to this lake before, we focused on "the rocks" fishing jigs with Pautzke's fire cured shrimp under a bobber in 10-40 feet of water.


We weren't sure what we would need, so we brought it all:


It wasn't long before it was BOBBER DOWN!:






Once we finally got things dialed in the action was good, we hooked 4 and landed 3 before 5pm on the first day including this little 5lb hatchery fish. I managed 2 fish in 2 casts early on Friday, what a thrill that was!



Even the guys on the dock managed a few:


The next day was a little more moist with low lying clouds and a bit warmer temps, but the fishing was still good, although slower than Friday.



These eagles decided to hang out, as well:


We caught our share of fish on Saturday, and crackered off a couple as well. Just BEING in this untouched country is a gift enough, but catching these beautiful native fish is a gift you have to experience to appreciate. It was a fun day overall:






After a long day of fishing it was all smiles and empty stomachs so we stopped in at Los Comperos in Brewster for dinner. That place is OUTRAGEOUS! I suggest if you are in the Chelan/Pateros/Entiat/Rufus area you make sure to get in there for a meal. The service was excellent and the food was delicious.


Great times with great friends are what fishing is all about an trips like this keep me going. I can't count the times I have made a trip, gotten skunked, and STILL had a great time, but these special trips are the ones we will remember forever. We were one of 5 boats on Saturday, and one of 3 on Friday FOR THE ENTIRE LAKE. It was epic. We had a great trip and will likely be going back!

[scott080379]

looks like you had a great trip.

[blufin loui]

Thanks for the update on your trip, great scenery, great fishing with friends, how much better can it get. Glad you guys had a good time on this side of the mountains.

[Mike Carey]

those are some wickedly cool pics, thx for sharing your adventure. =d>

[mav186]

Thanks for sharing Matt...very nice pictures!

[Jaksonbrown]

Was there some current moving in that lake Matt? Fishing the edges? I have never used the bobber and Jig float method in a lake before. Id love to hear more details.

[BentRod]

Sweet pics Matt. Sounds like an awesome time!

[fear_no_fish]

Nice! I must say im a bit jealous, sounds like a great trip!

[Matt]

Was there some current moving in that lake Matt? Fishing the edges? I have never used the bobber and Jig float method in a lake before. Id love to hear more details.

The current was ripping pretty decent when we arrived on Friday, but it slowed down during the evening then Saturday there was basically no current, it made it more difficult to get the correct presentation. For the most part we were floating along the shoreline and casting our bobbers out into 20-40 feet of water with our stops down about 15-25 feet deep.

Thanks for the comments everyone, we had a great time.

[Brian253]

Sound like a trip to remember! Thanks for sharing

[Malottguy]

Great looking fish and even better fun time. As for Los Comperos that is one of the best restaurant in this area. It is my favorite Mexican one by far.

[curado]

happy you got some metal matt. now if they open lake wenatchee again. ill let you know and if you wanted you could stay at my cabin