Author: Rob Phillips

Posted: 2/6/2019

Some of the best winter whitefishing in South Central can be found in the Naches, the Tieton, the Yakima and the Klickitat Rivers. Depending on water flows and just how cold it has been, each can provide a whitefish angler with some exciting mid-winter fishing now through the month of February. If you’ve never fished for whitefish before, it is not terribly difficult. The gear literally can ...

Author: Sponsored Content

Posted: 2/6/2019

The 30th annual Central Washington Sportsmen Show is set to open the doors Friday, February 15th at the Yakima Valley SunDome and it runs through Sunday, February 17th. This always popular event brings area outdoor enthusiasts together, all under one roof, to see the latest in hunting and fishing gear, outdoor displays and exhibits, fishing boats, camper and camp trailers, ATVs, and much, much mor...

Author: Mike Carey

Posted: 1/6/2019

For most anglers, winter and perch fishing means sitting next to a 6” hole in the ice, bundled up in seven layers of clothing, periodically clearing away ice from the hole and your rod tip. That’s the Washington’s eastside version of perch fishing, but on the west side we have an entirely different game. The Cascade mountain range gives westside anglers both a blessing and a curse – four month...

Author: Joe Overlock for Fix.com

Posted: 1/5/2019

Keeping warm while ice fishing is next to impossible on some days, unless you have a good shelter. Many “pop-up” tent style shelters are available on the market, all of which have hefty price tags, but none equal the comfort of a home-built wooden shelter. The keys to keeping warm on the ice are getting your feet off the ice, getting out of the wind on sunny days, and using a portable heater on co...

Author: Mike Cork for Fix.com

Posted: 1/5/2019

Fishing through the winter months can be very rewarding for a number of reasons. Cold temperatures keep fair-weather anglers home and hunting seasons lead many anglers to trade lakes for the woods. Winter is also the time of year when most freshwater species group up. The result: more fish for cold-weather anglers. During the coolest months of the year, preparation, research, and the proper tackle...

Author: Rick Lawrence

Posted: 1/5/2019

If there is one thing I have learned over the past 10 years is you can catch just about any species of fish that swims on a dropshot rig. I have caught Large and Smallmouth Bass, Perch, Sunfish, Crappie, trout and Burbot all on a drop shot this year. One species I added to this list a few years ago are Mackinaws. I like to fish for Lakers mainly in the winter months from early Dec. to mi...

Author: Jason Brooks

Posted: 1/5/2019

Most anglers know that you should bleed the fish you catch and keep. Doing so means to cut a gill right after you decide to retain the fish and mark it on your catch record card. But that is only one step in a multi-step process to properly care for your catch. Even before bleeding a quick bonk on the head is not only humane but it also keeps the fish from becoming bruised. A fish flopping...

Author: Sponsored Content

Posted: 12/18/2018

There has been a lot of talk in the news about the decline in our southern resident killer whales. The science shows the downward trend over the past 40 years, but historically the population is no different than it was 50 years ago. Blame is being placed on the decline of the Chinook Salmon stocks up and down the coast. With that said, Area 25 where our lodge is located, is one of the only areas ...

Author: NWFR Staff

Posted: 12/12/2018

The winds are blowing, the first snow is threatening, and your rod guides are freezing up. There’s not a fish in sight and much as you love getting out, that warm crackling fire is calling your name. Not to mention your laptop computer as you search out the perfect gifts for your fellow anglers – or yourself. Your spouse is asking you “what do you want”, right? Well, if you’re running out of ideas...

Author: Scott T Starbuck

Posted: 12/2/2018

When winter steelhead run, the main thing is to keep your lure in the strike zone as long as possible, as many times as possible so that sooner or later, you will hook a chrome fish. The past two seasons, I learned to bead fish with good results. It has been common for me to find fish while nearby anglers go fish-less. The difference is “The Slide Technique” by which I mean using a THILL TURBO M...

Author: Mike Carey

Posted: 12/2/2018

When salmon and steelhead closures seem to be more the norm than the exception, anglers can be forgiven for thinking their favorite pastime is in its terminal gasps. With opportunities seemingly closing left and right, it’s easy to get despondent at times like these. If you’re feeling that way too then perhaps it’s time to take a break from “big game” fishing and return to your roots. Remember whe...

Author: Rick Lawrence

Posted: 12/2/2018

Here is a great way to store your larger baits without dumping a load of cash on one of those fancy Musky tackle boxes. This size of box if you were to go out and buy it would be well over 100 bucks. All you need for this is a Portable File storage box and 2 sheets of foam board. I got my File box from Staples for just over 6 bucks (you can find them at Wally world as well), and the 2 ...