High Adventure on the Famed RUFUS WOODS.
Launched at Bridgeport corps boat launch around 10:30ish, and Went up to the pens to start fishing. No current at the pens, flat water, And slow fishing. Several boats throughout the afternoon, but most of them gave up and hunted for more productive fishing holes. Temps in mid 30s , with partly cloudy skies, Nice fishing day.
We were using the usual, imitation minnows, and nymphs, with sporadic success. Tried several other offering during the trip but these weren't producing any better results. Ended up keeping a limit each on Sunday. Will try to send pic this post.
As the sun was getting behind the mountain,and the temps starting to fall, we decided to head down the lake now that we had our limit. Great day under the belt, so we fired up the engine to head out, But it was not to be. There was a strong smell of burnt rubber and a squealing like a hog farm, and RPMs tached out. The engine coupler had spun out, therefore no torque is transferred to the prop. WOW, 20 plus miles to go and lucky for us we have a 9.9hp High Thrust Yamaha kicker. NO SWEAT, at a blazing 5 1/2 - 6mph we head off to Bridgeport. Lucky us there was no head wind and the moon was out (most of the time). Sure glad me and wiffee get along so well. So we hook up some lighting, turn on the nav lights, and break out the propane heater and enjoy a nice quite crawl down lake. It could have so much worse that we made the best of it and pulled the boat out of the water a little after 9:00 PM. All in All another good day on the water.
Hope to get back on the water in a couple of weeks, because the bite is only getting better.
Good fishing, tight lines, And thank God for Kickers.

The Redneck Emo

12/7/2008 6:59:00 PM

me and my dad have done that before out in the puget sound. But against the tide and lots of boat traffic. It was the during the Everett coho derby

blufin loui

12/7/2008 7:29:00 PM

Holy "Mackerel",
I thought we had it rough. LOL
Man, can't imagine that trip, must have been one to remember. At least you made it in, and lived to fish another day.
Were you entered in the derby by any chance. Tough to make it in by weigh-in under those conditions.
Keep on fishin

Big D

12/7/2008 8:28:00 PM

Hello blufin loui,
I'm glad you & your wife made it home safe. I was just telling my wife that I wanted a new search light for the bow of the boat for Xmas.
It's stories like yours that drive home the point about being prepared out on the water.
I’ve got couple of questions for you if you have the time and will forgive my intrusion. What size is your main engine? How long does it take you to get from the Corps boat launch up to the pens running on your main engine?
Now, that gas is reasonably priced, I've been thinking about making a run to the pens to see the shore line, get some photos of wildlife and maybe catch a couple of fish. I've got a 115 Yamaha that pushes the boat about 42mph and a Yamaha 8hp kicker. So, worst case scenario, thanks to you and your wife, I now know that it’s possible to make it home on the kicker.
Fair winds & following seas.
Big D

bob

12/7/2008 10:25:00 PM

Hi Big D, I've got a 115 merc and at about 35 mph make it to the first set of pens in 40 to 45 mins. It's usually worth the time especially this time of year.

wolverine

12/7/2008 10:54:00 PM

Isn't it easier and a lot closer to launch at Seatons Grove if you're going to fish the net pens? Or is the on water time savings offset by the added road time?

blufin loui

12/8/2008 10:14:00 AM

Hi ya Big D, I responded by E-mail, and let me know if you didn't receive it, and I'll respond here.

Hey wolverine, I've only put in at Seaton's grove once (several years past), and for me it is a better day boating up from Bridgeport. From Chelan, The drive may be a little less in gas money compared to my boat, but the time is less to fishing the pens by boating up, sceinery is lots better, and I don't need a tribal permit. (just my personal views).
In rough weather (windy) it would be a better ride down from Seaton's, but on those days I usually fish the lower 10miles or so of the lake.
It will be interesting to hear other's comments on the differences.

outdoor chris

12/17/2008 7:38:00 AM

As you already know Louie, I love the ride up the river from Bridgeport, you just can't beat it. The scenery is great and I would rather drive a boat than a truck any day!! It takes us just under 45 min. to boat to the upper pens which is faster than driving around and like you said, we get to save some money by not buying a tribal permit.

Was a real bummer hearing about your mishap, too bad we weren't there that day to give you a hand. But then, you know, there is nothing like a nice romantic, moonlight boat cruise on the water..... a little bit of wine, some cheese and crackers, maybe some venison sausage, or some sushi from fresh caught rainbow trout!!!..........looking at the stars and letting life just slow down as you cruise the lake at a nice leisurely pace!!!

The main reason I put a kicker on my boat was just for that reason, going up R.W. or up lake chelan, its a nice feeling to have that insurance in case of breakdowns.

See you on the water!!!

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