Over the last couple of weeks I have been very busy and haven't gotten to get in my usual fishing days. Last weekend we were very busy with winterizing the house and yard when I decided to take a couple of hours off and go fishing. I live in the Northwood Neighborhood in the Spokane Valley and I decided to try fishing the slack water/reservoir above Upriver Dam in Millwood. I'm not sure if this has a name or not (Lake Millwood?).
Anyway, I loaded my float tube in at the public park off of upriver drive and began trolling a green bugger down river toward the dam. In the 2 hours I had I landed 9 trout ranging between 14 and 19 inches (all red band rainbows). I also caught two small mouth bass in the 10" range and lost another larger one.
Has anyone else fished this water with a fly set up? I saw two fisherman on the bank using bait. Neither had any luck while I was on the water though.
I must drive over the bridge in Millwood 4 times a day and until this weekend I have never thought of fishing this water. I guess you'll never know where to find good fishing. I'll definitely be back.
Tight Lines!
Lake Millwood?!
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Rooscooter
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Marc Martyn
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RE:Lake Millwood?!
I have never heard of it being called Lake Millwood. As far as I know, it is just the Spokane River. There are some good sized fish in that stretch. Access is the problem that I have had. I only have my pontoon boat and the current accesses are a good walk from the parked truck.
Years ago I fished that stretch with my float tube. After a real close call with a skier, I haven't been back.
Years ago I fished that stretch with my float tube. After a real close call with a skier, I haven't been back.
RE:Lake Millwood?!
I'd make sure it's open though, check your regs. If it's that easy to drive by and see the water, you wouldn't want a warden noticing you if it was a closed body of water...
Anyways, 9 bows in 2 hours is a great time!!
Anyways, 9 bows in 2 hours is a great time!!
Don't chase reports...Be the report others chase....
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Rooscooter
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RE:Lake Millwood?!
I invented the "Lake Millwood" reference. I don't know if there is a name or not for this reservoir.
The only "competition" on the river was the SCC rowing team. They use this stretch of water for practice. I know what you mean Marc, I have had a couple close calls at Williams Lake with jet skiers and haven't been back during "ski season" since. This late in the season I didn't have to worry.
Access is only about 20 yards from the parking area. It was an easy load in for a float tube. It would seem pretty easy for a pontoon boat as well.
As for it being open....the Spokane River is open year round I believe.
The only "competition" on the river was the SCC rowing team. They use this stretch of water for practice. I know what you mean Marc, I have had a couple close calls at Williams Lake with jet skiers and haven't been back during "ski season" since. This late in the season I didn't have to worry.
Access is only about 20 yards from the parking area. It was an easy load in for a float tube. It would seem pretty easy for a pontoon boat as well.
As for it being open....the Spokane River is open year round I believe.
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Marc Martyn
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RE:Lake Millwood?!
Most of the river is year around except from Upriver Dam to the state line. That section is June1-March 15 and is catch & release only.
Where exactly did you put in and take out?
Where exactly did you put in and take out?
Last edited by Anonymous on Thu Oct 11, 2007 11:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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chicotello
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RE:Lake Millwood?!
Hey Mike,
Interesting stuff...I live up in Northwood too and fish the Spoke up around sullivan bridge quite a bit on the way home from my job in CDA. I've been thinking about throwing the pontoon boat in and fishing that water above the dam for quite awhile. About a month ago I was crossing the bridge in millwood late in the evening and noticed fish sipping flies off the surface like crazy. Very cool that you did so well there! I'll have to give 'er a go...were you fishing deep out in the open water or closer in to the shore?
Thanks,
Mitch
Interesting stuff...I live up in Northwood too and fish the Spoke up around sullivan bridge quite a bit on the way home from my job in CDA. I've been thinking about throwing the pontoon boat in and fishing that water above the dam for quite awhile. About a month ago I was crossing the bridge in millwood late in the evening and noticed fish sipping flies off the surface like crazy. Very cool that you did so well there! I'll have to give 'er a go...were you fishing deep out in the open water or closer in to the shore?
Thanks,
Mitch
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Rooscooter
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RE:Lake Millwood?!
Marc: I put in at the public parking area off of Upriver Drive. From there it is about 20 yards to the water down a gentle slope.
Mitch: I have now fished this water 3 times. I have caught fish both on dry flies along the edges (near Felts Field) and in the deepest areas in the center. I fish Sullivan and Barker bridges as well.
I got back from "Lake Millwood" a few hours ago and did pretty well again. I caught 7 today in about 2 hours. All were about 16" except for one little one (8"). All seemed to be Redband Bows. I did loose a couple after brief, but very violent takes. These seemed to be much bigger fish, but I won't know until I land one! No smallies today. My depth finder was showing the fish at various levels from about 5' to 20'. I caught 3 on the surface using a Mayfly pattern (There was a Mayfly hatch this afternoon) and the rest at depth using a black bugger pattern with a red bead head.
It's nice to have a good fishing spot so close to home. I will continue to visit this water during the non-swimming/jet ski season.
Tight Lines!
Mitch: I have now fished this water 3 times. I have caught fish both on dry flies along the edges (near Felts Field) and in the deepest areas in the center. I fish Sullivan and Barker bridges as well.
I got back from "Lake Millwood" a few hours ago and did pretty well again. I caught 7 today in about 2 hours. All were about 16" except for one little one (8"). All seemed to be Redband Bows. I did loose a couple after brief, but very violent takes. These seemed to be much bigger fish, but I won't know until I land one! No smallies today. My depth finder was showing the fish at various levels from about 5' to 20'. I caught 3 on the surface using a Mayfly pattern (There was a Mayfly hatch this afternoon) and the rest at depth using a black bugger pattern with a red bead head.
It's nice to have a good fishing spot so close to home. I will continue to visit this water during the non-swimming/jet ski season.
Tight Lines!
Last edited by Anonymous on Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.