More Rufus questions....

[Rob G.]

Ok, I need all the help I can get. I'm hittin' Rufus up this weekend and here's what I'm takin': My 12 ft livingston with a 9.9 HP engine, my 50 lbs thrust minn kota, fly rod, spinning rods, jigs, flatfish, spoons, and a big cooler to bring back some BIG fish!

Will I even be able to use the electric motor, or is the current too strong?
Is there a decent cheap motel over there?
Any suggestions on the tackle?

I know you guys will chime in, I'm counting on your help......

[Rob G.]

oh come on, there's been 15 reviews and no replies here.......I need some help from you pros on here.

[Anonymous]

I'd think about fishing around the dam, Chief Joe. When they're generating, it's a lot of water moving down stream. The electric will work when there's little current, by Chief Joe but I don't think I'd bank on a 9.9 for going upstream very far. Lot of current by the pens. Problem is the boat ramp is upstream from the pens so you'd better be sure you can get back or it's a long walk and a hump to get that boat to the road. It's a 40 mile trip from Chief Joe to the pens and back.

[RAHFISH]

I was over to Lake Pateros last week and stayed at the Lake Pateros Inn (or Resort)?. It is a white concrete block building that is right on the lake. Nice and clean, and about $55/night. About 8 to 10 miles up to the launch at the state park above Chief Jo dam.

May be a few places closer in Bridgeport but can't recall the names

Good luck---RAHFISH

[Rob G.]

thanks fellas, keep em coming!

[Bodofish]

I was over to Lake Pateros last week and stayed at the Lake Pateros Inn (or Resort)?. It is a white concrete block building that is right on the lake. Nice and clean, and about $55/night. About 8 to 10 miles up to the launch at the state park above Chief Jo dam.

May be a few places closer in Bridgeport but can't recall the names

Good luck---RAHFISH

Nope you were staying in the only place available. Up at the other end, lodging choices are better in Grand coulee and electric city.

Rob G., Probably best to stick to the Chief Joe end of the lake with the little boat. Launch across the lake from the state park, it's free. Turn left into the dam cross across the street from Rockport and drive up behind the dam. Much nicer launch and a good place for picnicing and strech a leg.

[Anonymous]

Hi Rob,

Congratulations on your decision to fish one of the top 5 lakes in the state.

I don’t know where you plan to launch your boat and fish. Since the lake is 50 some-odd miles long you won’t be traveling far in a 12 ft Livingston with a 9.9 HP outboard. There are three sites that I know of. Two of which I have never used. One at the lower end at Chief Joseph Dam, another close to the top end of the lake near Grand Coulee and the third is located at one of the net pens near Nespelem on the Colville Indian Reservation. There is a fourth site at the State Park across from the Corp launch at Chief Joe but I believe it is closed this time of year. The Corp launch is fantastic and you will find good fishing not far away.

If you looked at an earlier report from both Aaron and Mike you saw a picture of them with their fantastic catch. That picture was taken near the “Can Line”. It is a series of barrels lashed together to form a barrier just above the dam. This is a good starting point. You probably will not be alone. There will be bank anglers near the “Can Line” on the Corp site and I am sure there will be a few boats trolling along the “Cans”. Last month a pink wedding ring topped with a worm or an orange power egg was lethal. All the fish we caught were in the top 5 feet of the water column. According to the locals, fish high from April to November and fish low from November thru March.

I believe that although you may be trolling, using any kind of bait other than artificial lures requires you to keep (or release) the first two fish you catch and go home. I don’t know if I agree with it but I think that’s the law. Trust me, there are some that will challenge you if they find out that you are using live bait.

Most of the fish you will be catching will be in the 2 to 4 pound class. Nothing wrong with that….! Not all will be Trips either. You may be surprised to see how many natives you catch. Most of the fish taken in the lower end is taken along the right side looking up stream. Try trolling close to shore and watch your depth finder. Remember, you are on a river that is constantly in change. Most of the lake is deep but there are shallows that will grab your gear. Don’t make your choice of lures difficult. Remember, these are just trout so start by using something you have faith in.

I believe there is a Corp map of the lake on the Internet. I suggest you find it. It well not give depths but it will give land marks that you will recognize if you decide to travel a bit - I find it invaluable.
Editors note (Marc): http://www.washingtonlakes.com/ViewPhot ... s045_1.jpg
It will list mileage from Chief Joe to the first pump casing and the distance between all the pump casings from Joe to Coulee.

In closing I would like to make a personal statement. Many of the reports you read are about numbers. You read reports from some bragging about 40 fish days. Although some of us may know the proper way to release fish, the mortality rate is still very high. This lake is not planted by the state. Other than the occasional unintended release from one of the pens it only receives a small plant from the Corp. This is a high quality lake and hopefully we can keep it that way. Please don’t be too greedy and save this fishery for all to enjoy for many years to come.

Good luck and have fun!

[stanford]

Plenty of Lodging in Pateros..... I was just there a three weeks ago. I think it was called the Red Apple INN, and it was very affordable. There was also lodging at the Campground if you could sleep it out in the car. But just a tip I got from one of the locals, if you look in the regs at RUFUS WOODS RES. listed in East Wash section, it does say Chumming Permitted so the guy told me it is the most effective way to land them. He had a big bag of shrimp flavored catfood pellets. We were at Chief joe dam and he started to chuck handfuls of these cat food pellets all over the surface of the water and trout started to rise periodically. I casted my sinking #5 Rapala rainbow trout with single barbless hooks into where he had thrown the pellets and I must have landed at least 8 fish in the 10 minute period of time. He was telling me that at the Pens the Indians come every hour and just toss the trout pellets to the fish and the trout just devour them and the water bubbles with fish. If the bite slows try it, it worked for us. good luck--S

[Rob G.]

I love this site.....