Eastern Washington Fishing Report 09.20.18
Aeneas Lake (WA)
You sure can tell the fall bite is coming on stronger each day. The fish at Aeneas Lake the other day were being a little temperamental towards most of the flies being presented to them. Like one angler told me, he couldn’t buy a fish. That was until he tied on a fly he had picked up at the shop the other day. I know some anglers may question the validation of booby flies as a real fly, but they do work, and they are working well at Aeneas Lake right now.
That said, they are not the only fly that has been working for anglers. Reports from other anglers also indicate black leech patterns are producing some good results too. With both types of these patterns, I would use a type 3 full sinking line. The flies that have the best results are; a #10 coral booby, a #8 white and orange Chan’s Las Vegas booby Leech, a #10 black swimming leech, a #10 Rickard’s seal bugger 1, and a #10 black Foisset’s tws. You have to love fall stillwater fishing!
Blue Lake (Sinlahekin, WA)
Brown trout in the fall seem to go hand and hand. From the smiling faces that have come into the shop and the reports, it sounds like some nice browns up to 22-inches have been caught in Blue Lake. Throw in a few rainbows too, around 16 to 18-inches, and it would put a nice smile on anyone's face. Wish I could say that is the case for everyone that is fishing the lake. I have had a few anglers come in and say they are having a hard time just hooking into a couple of fish. I know from my own experience, and from talking to other anglers, that to fish Blue this time of the year you need to be willing to keep trying a few different flies until you find the hot ticket.
Like most of the lakes in the area, leeches seem to be the number one pattern that are being used, but a black and red chironomid is also getting some action too. Also, don’t forget your water boatmen they are proving quite productive. The flies that saw the most action are as follows; a #10 Rickard’s seal bugger 2-inch, a #10 brown pumpkin Rowley balanced leech, a #10 olive Foisset’s tws, a #10 black balanced leech, a #10-#12 black and red chironomid, a #14 Morris water boatman, and a #12 Burk’s water boatman. Finally, when you are at Blue Lake in the Sinlahekin Valley, take a few moments to enjoy the scenery.
Chopaka Lake (WA)
The fishing at Chopaka is still going strong like it always is in the fall. Specifically, the surface bite is still going on for mayflies. It seems the hopper action has slacked off due to the drop in nighttime temperatures. And, most of the dry fly action seems to be in the mid to southern part of the lake, once it warms up a little bit. Fishing in closer to shore with leech patterns is still getting plenty of results. When fishing in the waters 10-feet or less, an unweighted leech will work better on an intermediate or sink tip line. Personally, I like the fall fishing on Chopaka more than the springtime. Maybe, it's because the fish can be a little more aggressive on the bite.
Like some of the other lakes in the area, water boatmen are showing up and the fish are having no problem going after them. Both the floating and sinking boatmen patterns are working. So, a quick rundown of the fly patterns that are working right now are; a #16 parachute adams, a #14-#16 Keller’s Rocky Mountain mint, a #12 floating boatman, a #14 Morris water boatman, a #10 black/red Chan’s ruby eyed leech, a #10 olive or maroon red bead powder leech, and a #10 black/red or olive/brown swimming leech.
The last word we had on the road into the lake was that the DNR was going to be closing it around the first of October for repairs. So, check with the DNR office in Colville for information on the road closing date.
See past reports from the Omak region, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.