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Rufus Woods Lake Report
Douglas County, WA

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01/25/2009
Trolling
Rainbow Trout
Spinner
01/25/2009
3
2658

We launched at the Corps boat launch on Rufus Woods at 10:00 am this morning with plans of heading up the lower net pens. Wind was blowing very hard and it was very cold outside. Water temp was 35 degrees. Went about 6 miles up river and ran into stronger winds and taller chop. Who would have thought to bring the window scraper? We decided to head back and troll the can line. We tolled the can line and the area around the boat launch for three or four hours without any hits. First time at Rufus Woods that we didn't catch fish. The fish were holding very close to the bottom today and with the wind blowing it was hard to stay in one place or travel in a straight line. Still, the worst day fishing is always better than best day working.


Comments

blufin loui
1/25/2009 9:16:00 PM
Couldn't agree with you more about a "bad day fishing".
WOW, what a trip. Makes it difficult for the equipment (rods/reels) to work at optimum when coated in ice.
but next time will be better.
What a way to cure cabin fever though.
riprap101
1/25/2009 9:41:00 PM
Ahh yes, that picture looks familiar. I really enjoy cleaning all that ice from my rod guides. What do you use when you troll with the water that cold? Have you had any luck with hard baits like minnows? Thats what we use, but I think the water is to cold for those fish to chase something down. You will have to catch some ten plus pounders on your next trip to make up for today!
Anonymous
1/26/2009 3:00:00 PM
I've never hada bad day fishing but the catching sometimes sucks.
Bodofish
1/26/2009 3:13:00 PM
Sorry to hear that Big D. We've been out in -5 weather. got about 4-6 inches of ice on the sides of the boat. From the looks of the windows you need a fan and a buddy heater. I have the little one and at -5 it was a balmy 50+ in the cabin. I also saw at the boat show some very small and effecient 12 volt defrosters to mount on the dash. I'll post on the forum when I get them dug out. But like you say the worst day fishing...... You were out on the water and no one was bothering you! Hope you had a cigar and some single malt to help with the day!!!!!!! =)
ndn
1/26/2009 3:40:00 PM
I tried a little Buddy heater in a small open boat .The wind was blowing and there were white caps on the water. The boat was rocking quite a bit.The heater kept flaming out. I don't know whether it was the wind or the rocking of the boat.The heater has a safety feature which shuts off the gas when the heater tips;however, the heater never tipped over completely.
Anyfish
1/26/2009 5:28:00 PM
Big D, you guys are tough!! I sure hope you had plenty of Campbells, coffee and maybe even some brandy in your thermos. What was it? maybe 23 degrees out there today. Whatever the temp the pictures do it justice. At least you were out there today doing what we all just think of. Thanks for the report!!!
Big D
1/26/2009 7:21:00 PM
Hey Guys,
Please don't get me wrong. I had a GREAT day out on the water. In fact, I’ve never had a bad day on the water even while serving 20 years in the Navy. I had a brand new Big Buddy heater in the boat. The new one with the battery operated fan inside and I stayed plenty warm because I dressed for the weather. My boat cover does not have a back on it so if the wind came in from the back it would blow the heater out, but that still didn't bother me. My fishing buddy on the other hand had issues and it was OK that he spent a lot of time trying to keep the heater running rather than fishing. It was the first chance in the 40 years that I've known him that I've had the opportunity to out-fish him because he was more fixated on keeping the heater running than he was on catching fish. We’ve been fishing together for at least 30 of the 40 years that I’ve known him. We always have a standing three dollar fishing bet.
One dollar for first fish, One dollar for the biggest fish and One dollar for the first person to their limit. I have several times taken the first fish dollar from him but he always manages to catch a bigger fish or is the first to his limit but we don’t really keep track. It’s just a way for a couple of old men to talk a little trash. I have seen the pot get up to 21 dollars a couple of times when we fish with several of our friends or family and boy, you should hear the trash talk fly then. We've even sucked our kids in on several occasions and they carry on the three dollar bet tradition with their friends and families. My oldest son is in the Air Force and has been sent to Iraq several times since the war started and has even suckered several of his buddies into the bet while he has been deployed to Iraq. My youngest daughter is also in the Air Force and stationed in North Carolina, she was able to take three dollars from her fiancé just last weekend. It’s never been about the money and it sure makes me smile when my kids call from across the country or even across the world to share.

Bodofish, I sure would like to take a look at the 12 volt defrosters that you are talking about.
I've even been thinking about inventing a 12 volt heated fishing rod.
Thanks to all of you for your kind words but it’s never been about the fish or the three dollars.
Take care.
Salmonking
2/1/2009 10:28:00 AM
Big D,
From one sailor to another, thank you for your service and the service of your son and daughter. We have that same bet with my family and friends, but a lot of times forget about it because we are to wrapped up in the better things, like watching our three year old reel in his fish. Hoping to be able to make the trip back out there this month. Hope that the weather warms because I really want to bring my oldest son.
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Available Guide

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

Phone: (509) 687-0709