Eastern Washington Fishing Report 05.31.18
Long Lake
Steph Avena, who works in the shop, was able to get out to Long Lake the other day. Here is his report:
Fished Long Lake last night, 5/28, for about two hours. Beautiful weather and fast fishing. No crowds but apparently the three-day weekend was a bit packed at this little lake. Damselflies were happening and the 10-to 12-inch cutts were taking just about anything that moved, especially at dusk when the surface activity went off the charts. A purple Renegade worked but anything gnaty would have served well. The north end near the boat launch has great shallows and leads into a few shallow pools that should also be probed during the evening rise.
Expectations for June at Long Lake. The next few weeks will see increasing damselfly activity. A damsel dry size 10-to12 would be a good inclusion in your box. Leeches fished deep along deadfall will be a fun way to spend the day, too, looking for find the 16-18-inch fish said to lurk in the lake. Though I missed it, the one other angler on the lake reported a mayfly spinnerfall earlier in the day. As mayfly activity ramps up, mayfly patterns, sizes 12-16 in all life stages of the bug, will fish well during the day and it will be a party on top during the evening rise. Try a Rocky Mountain Mint #14, or a Parachute Adams #12-#16.
Long lake is fly-fishing only and located just south of Republic.
Crawfish Lake—On Monday, Luke Mckee, who works at the shop, went up to Crawfish Lake with his boys. They wanted to paddle around the lake in their kayaks for a few hours. So, while the boys were off exploring the waters, Luke decided to break out his 6 weight Beulah and see what he could find. Hanging a #10 olive Balanced Leech under an indicator, he was able to hook into a few 12" to 14" brook trout and a couple rainbows. Other reports I have gotten on Crawfish lately have shown similar results. Living up to its name, Crawfish has plenty of crayfish in it and the trout there are known to indulge themselves in those tasty crustaceans. A size 6 or smaller crayfish pattern works well. As with most of the lakes in the area the damselflies are on the move so make sure you have both nymphs and dries in your box. Crawfish Lake is located a few miles east of Riverside.
Davis Lake—Davis Lake has been a saving grace for the Winthrop area. It is still fishing good with early mornings as your best time to be on the lake. The lake has plenty of rainbows in the 12-to 14-inch range with a few good carryovers at 16 inches or more. This time of the year a #12 chironomid bomber does very good. Also, Chromies are the color of choice a lot of times. Balanced Leeches in olive, black or some of the blood colors are working in the morning. Start out in 8 feet of water. As the sun rises start working deeper water. By noon I would head in and call it quits till about 4 p.m. Once the sun is blocked by the ridges fishing picks up. Davis is located about five miles southeast of Winthrop.
Click here to see past reports from this region, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.