Rufus Woods First Timer

[JAYDOG]

Going to Rufus for the first time April 4th to 6th staying at The cabin by the River. Have read all reports on W.L., just looking for suggestions of gear and locations from the cabin. I have a new 18 ft Duckworth Advantage w/ 115 prop and 9.8 kicker fully loaded. Should I bring my downriggers? Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks-Jay

[Bodofish]

No need to use downriggers but bring lots of fuel. The lowest sets of pens are a 30 min run up the river and about another 25-30 to the upper pens. I prefer to anchor or drift and toss jigs or fly's but trolling is good too at the lowest pens. Bring everything you think you might need for the week, it's a very long drive to Omak. It's an awesome spot, you'll have a really good time!!!!!

[JAYDOG]

Thanks Bodofish, I have loaded up with jigs (wooleyboogers etc) and yes was planning on bringing an extra 20 gal. of fuel. Thanks for the no D/Rs, they tend to be in the way if not being used. I'm sure we will have a great time (not sure who's more excited, me or the wife!) Is coming in from Omak shorter from the west side?

[bassplayer17]

Thanks Bodofish, I have loaded up with jigs (wooleyboogers etc) and yes was planning on bringing an extra 20 gal. of fuel. Thanks for the no D/Rs, they tend to be in the way if not being used. I'm sure we will have a great time (not sure who's more excited, me or the wife!) Is coming in from Omak shorter from the west side?

It's a long drive to omak if you need something. Just go over stevens then up 97north on the east side of the river.

[JAYDOG]

Thanks mav186 and bassplayer17

[salmonbarry]

check out some of the past reports for Rufus also to help you with what works and where people fish this time of year. I even like going back a couple years for the time period I would be fishing a new spot just to get some pointers as well. Good luck you should knock em dead!

[Bodofish]

Thanks Bodofish, I have loaded up with jigs (wooleyboogers etc) and yes was planning on bringing an extra 20 gal. of fuel. Thanks for the no D/Rs, they tend to be in the way if not being used. I'm sure we will have a great time (not sure who's more excited, me or the wife!) Is coming in from Omak shorter from the west side?

For me in Woodinville it's about a toss up, time wise, I always go I90 as the road is so much better. It's not so much from the West side but where on the West side. If you're by Tapps, up 18 and over I90 for sure. I'd take at least 20 gal, and 40 if you can. It's a long drive back to Omak for gas. If you go up around by Grand Coulee you get to check out the river all the way there.

[JAYDOG]

Thanks Salmonbarry and Bodofish, I guess I should have phrased the question differently. Is there a preferable way to get to the cabin either through Omak or Grand Coulee, coming from the west side ? Mapquest looks pretty much like a toss-up. I'm only going to get 2 or maybe 3 days fishing so thought 50 gal. of fuel for the boat total should be plenty but have little experience fighting river currents. Only ran up Mayfield Lk./Cowlitz to Mossyrock dam once and remember at the point I turned around it took 4500 rpm to hold my own against the current. And Salmonbarry I have read all the previous reports on Rufus, and have marine and lakes gold chip in my FF.

[Bodofish]

Seems like you have it dialed in. Like I said, I go I90 and around GC. You could take a left Banks and go Omak, it is really a toss up. I go GC just because I like to look at the river. There is no magic bullet, total tossup. No matter how you slice it, there's still the dirt road. In the summer, it's a good idea to check with the tribe and see if they're doing any work on the roads. The can really hold a guy up.......

[Snowgoose4]

We stayed there for a week a few years back. It's a working farm and was interesting to view it all. There is a launch near Cabin by the River it's kind of private. Talk to the people there they will tell you how to get to it. Wasn't far to the set of net pens. We did fish quite a bit around the launch and found some really good holding spots. Check out all the drainage pipes that spill into the river they were awesome. There were even good places from shore by the cabin to cast while waiting for dinner. It's a little up river from the cabin you can see it from the deck. The current isn't terrible at all just helps with floating through while tossing jigs. We caught some serious fish near the launch using a fly. So many fish for one big section of water it's amazing how many fish there are.

[sickbayer]

We stayed there for a week a few years back. It's a working farm and was interesting to view it all. There is a launch near Cabin by the River it's kind of private. Talk to the people there they will tell you how to get to it. Wasn't far to the set of net pens. We did fish quite a bit around the launch and found some really good holding spots. Check out all the drainage pipes that spill into the river they were awesome. There were even good places from shore by the cabin to cast while waiting for dinner. It's a little up river from the cabin you can see it from the deck. The current isn't terrible at all just helps with floating through while tossing jigs. We caught some serious fish near the launch using a fly. So many fish for one big section of water it's amazing how many fish there are.

ya there is fish all over the place give to have at least 5 days over there and explore it all.

[JAYDOG]

So does that mean i need to bring the fly rods too? Or do I just need to bring the flies and drag them?

[Bodofish]

Lots of folks troll them. You could whip some fish but I'll bet you hit a limit before you think about the whip stick.

[JAYDOG]

I like your thinking Bodo, we have some beginner fly rods the wife and I play with over on the east side on camping trips but me thinks they would be dangerous in the confines of the boat in the hands of novices!

[Bodofish]

Yeah..... Wear a hat with a wide brim and eye protection, a do rag wouldn't hurt either.... =)

[JAYDOG]

You've seen me before then. If the sun is out I have all those on. But the eye protection often turns into beer goggles once back to the safety of camp!

[Bodofish]

[strider43]

I was just there Sunday at the launch off of Columbia River Road. Not even a bite, the Creel Census lady said the fishing has been very slow.....

[JAYDOG]

Thanks strider43, not very encouraging but hopefully we break the trend. I'm an eternal optimist so even if the catching is slow the fishing will be awesome!!!!

[Bodofish]

Thanks strider43, not very encouraging but hopefully we break the trend. I'm an eternal optimist so even if the catching is slow the fishing will be awesome!!!!

You'll be fine with a boat to chase them. Go troll near the pens. Pick a spot near the pens and anchor up, they kind of cruise in circles around the pens waiting for lunch. Find a friendly bit terrain that they have to go around and toss you jigs there.