by James Cummings, July 02, 2002

The first time I fished this 45-acre lake was in the late 1970’s. The remarkable thing about it at that time was the wide girth of the 13-inch rainbows we pulled from the lake while fishing from the bank with hellgrammites. Selective gear rules now apply to the lake, including a one fish limit.



As I drove down the access road more than twenty years later, I spotted a mule deer with velvet horns above his large ears. Although most of the shoreline consisted of dense cattails there were a few open spots and I was determined to cast my fluorescent F4 Flatfish from them. While walking around the lake to these spots I surprised a young coyote. All I caught for my efforts were several ticks that I removed before they could bury into my skin.

The lake looked promising so two days later I returned with a boat. The lake is better suited to inflatable pontoon boats and float tubes but I did manage to drag my friend’s 10-foot aluminum boat to the water from the parking area. It proved worth the effort as I hooked and released two rainbow, one which measured 18 inches. I kept a 19-inch rainbow with a 4-inch girth. These fish were caught in water from 16 to the lakes maximum 23-foot depth, trolling a fluorescent F4 Flatfish 20 yards behind the boat. Weight was one cannon ball split shot attached 2 feet up my 3 foot, 2 pound test leader.

From I-90 take the Dodson Road exit and go south just past Winchester Wasteway. Beda Lake is a short distance east of Dodson Road.


From the Desk of the Troutfisherman

06-20-02

Email troutfisherman@odessaoffice.com