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Rufus Woods Lake Report
Douglas County, WA

Details

03/19/2009
Trolling With Fly
Rainbow Trout
None
Brown
All Day
03/19/2009
5
2291

((Rufus Woods, The memory maker)) Today was awesome. It was the last full day I had to spend with my daughter until she returns from Afghanistan and we made the most out of it. We were on the water at 7:30 this morning heading from Bridgeport up to the pens. The air temp was 44 degrees and the water temp was 35 degrees with a low overcast sky and light rain. We bypassed the first set of pens because we wanted to explore a little more river. We made it to the second set of pens at about 8:45. Just like last Tuesday we threw everything in the tackle box at them and didn’t so much as get a nibble. After fishing for about three hours I thought I should try to put my kid on some fish. I rigged our rods with my now proven Trout Pellet Fly (Barb-less) and it was Katie bar the doors. We had doubles more times than I could count. All the fish were running two to three pounds. I have seen in the past that when folks list the actual number of fish brought to the boat that it hurts some people’s feelings so I will just say we hooked “A LOT” of fish today, nothing really large until the trip back to Bridgeport. The sun was shining and the water looked like glass at the first set of pens so I asked my daughter if we could slow down for a couple more casts and I’m sure glad we did. On my daughters first cast she hooked into something that made her scream, Dad, Daad Daaaaad, I think I’m going to need your help!!! I mustered all of the calmness that I could and grabbed the net and waited for fifteen minutes for her to bring the fish to the side of the boat. In my excitement while handling the net and the digital camera, I dropped the camera over the side. If anyone finds a Nikon coolpix 12.1 migapixel camera on the bottom of the river at the first set of pens please just keep it. I’ve never been happier. My daughter’s fish weighed in at 12.9 lbs. and it’s in the brine as of 5pm tonight and I’m throwing it into the smoker early in the morning so she’ll have it for her trip overseas. None of the fish we brought to the boat today were ever removed from the water; they were released healthy, strong and without injury from our barb-less Trout Pellet Flies with the exception of one and that as they say is another story. Today was the best day I’ve ever had on the water in over forty years of fishing.


Comments

blufin loui
3/19/2009 9:42:00 PM
Waaaaaaaaaay to go Man.
Great to hear stories like that.
Great memories were made and (LOL) a camera overboard is a small price to pay, although a pic would have been nice :0]
I think it's pretty cool when you get to the place where you can release the fish while they're still in the water like that. Some persons can't understand how you can catch...."Lots of Fish" in a day, and still claim to have high survival rates. They just need to see it in action.
Congrats on showing your daughter a Great time in the great outdoors.
You be Da Man.
Mike Carey
3/19/2009 10:21:00 PM
great day, great report!
Big D
3/19/2009 10:36:00 PM
Hey Lewis & Mike,
Thank you very much.
I'm so happy it's going to be hard to sleep tonight. Today was truly a bonding moment for both me and my daughter. She'll be home again in September and we're already looking forward to hitting RW togeather again.
Aaron
3/19/2009 10:38:00 PM
I'm soooo close to getting a new boat and can't wait to get out there myself. I had one of the best fishing experiences ever when I was out there with Mike, and I want to get my kids up there to share it with them.
Big D
3/19/2009 10:53:00 PM
Hey Aaron, Having the kids out there is what it's all about. My daughter turns 20 years old next week and what a blessing it is to have her in my life. I was in the Military and gone for way too much of her younger life. Also, I've been following your quest for the new boat and all I have to say is slow down & take your time. No matter how many bells & whistles you put on at the dealer you will always be able to think of other things you want or need on the boat. Just today I purchased two inflatable PFD’s for use on my boat while I’m fishing alone. Yes, I said two. You just can’t be safe enough.
telgie2
3/20/2009 5:53:00 AM
Tell your daughter thanks for serving from a vn vet. Can you tell me what the heck is a trout pellet fly? Sounds like the thing to try. Never been to RW but plan on going soon , so I need all the know all the tricks I can. thanks unclefuz
Big D
3/20/2009 8:23:00 AM
Hello telgie2, Thanks for your thank you to my daughter. I'm very proud of this one and I tell her every chance I get. She says to tell you thank you for your service. The Trout Pellet Fly is a fly the mimics the food pellet that they feed the triploids that are being raised in the fish farms in Rufus Woods and other hatcheries. I worked throughout the winter to get mine to look as close as I could to a real trout pellet and as evidenced by my last two times using it, I think I’ve got it down. It has become my go-to fly when the fishing is hard. It is a great fly when fished barb-less for catch & release. I have received so many requests for some of these flies that I decided to start tying up some extras and selling them. PM me if your interested and include your email address if you just want to see a picture. Thanks again. Big D
NewbieFishr
3/20/2009 9:14:00 AM
Sounds like an incredible day! Big D I would be interested in one of those Trout pellets. If you wouldnt mind shoot me an email with a picture at cvanarnam@gmail.com. Thanks!
Big D
3/20/2009 9:35:00 AM
Hey NewbieFishr, Thanks for your request. Photo and info for Trout Pellet Fly sent to you via email.
Malottguy
3/20/2009 9:42:00 AM
Awesome report and glad she had fun as well as you did. Hope she stays safe also in her career. I know how it is with the daughter, they are so fun to fish with. I have a lot of time to spend with her so I make the most of it but I understand being in the military does take you away way more than you d like. Great job though on being a great dad.
Big D
3/20/2009 9:50:00 AM
Hey Malottguy, Thank you!!
telgie2
3/20/2009 9:52:00 AM
Yes I am interested, my email address is unclefuz2@verizon.net. Thanks
Anglinarcher
3/20/2009 10:00:00 AM
I was not going to comment, but I can't help it: all I can say is WOW. As has been stated, thank your Daughter for her service. As a vet myself, I respect and support all who chose to put themselves in harms way for our country. And to think that your daughter enjoys fishing with her old dad, priceless! My daughters took after their mother, too cold, too slimy, but can you bring them home to eat (LOL).
Big D
3/20/2009 10:16:00 AM
Hey Anglinarcher,
Thank you! I got really really lucky with this one. I got out of the navy when she was 4 years old. I raised her along with her brother and sister as a single father. Her brother and sister are older and more involved in their own lives right now. I still see them regularly but don't get to spend as much quality one on one time with them because of their families as I do when my baby comes home. Her big news from the military this time home on leave was "Dad I qualified expert with the M-9 (Beretta 9MM) and here's the target. The target now hangs in my office. I guess she take after me a little. I'm so proud of her.
Deerballs
3/20/2009 12:42:00 PM
I was wonder if i could get a picture of the pellet fly. Where taking a trip over there next weekend and we want to cover all our bases. My e-mail address is Sweeney64@hotmail.com. Thanks and sounds like you had an awesome trip!!!!!
RobertW
3/20/2009 1:22:00 PM
I really enjoyed reading your report, I could feel the excitement as I was reading. I've had a few good days on the water with my son were we have shared special days similar to that, (not quite as good, fish wise) but I can relate to what your talking about. Thanks for sharing!!!!
I'd love to see a pictue of the fly you guys have been talking about, I have a picture of it in my mind but would like to see it. rwillmers@water.com

Thanks:)
Big D
3/20/2009 1:47:00 PM
Hey RobertW & Deerballs, Thank you for your comments and interest. Emails w/ photos have been sent to you. If anyone else would like purchase information or photos of my New & Improved Trout Pellet Flies you can reach me directly at darrendirks@msn.com
bigfun4me
3/20/2009 1:48:00 PM
Great report and congratulations on you're daughters success. I have been following the trout fly development and would love a picture of the new and improved version. www.bigfun4me@yahoo.com
Big D
3/20/2009 1:50:00 PM
Hey RobertW & Deerballs, Thank you for your comments and interest. Emails w/ photos have been sent to you. If anyone else would like purchase information or photos of my New & Improved Trout Pellet Flies you can reach me directly at darrendirks@msn.com
grandpa Ed
3/20/2009 6:19:00 PM
Such a great report. Being a Vet myself. My son ties all my flies, so would like as much info as possible on the pellet fly. If you sell them,how much for a half dozen? I want to take my son and younger bro from the west side to RW soon.
Big D
3/20/2009 6:48:00 PM
Hello grandpa Ed, Thank you for your comments. If you or anyone else would like purchase information or photos of my New & Improved Trout Pellet Flies you can reach me directly at darrendirks@msn.com Thank you!
bowfishen
3/21/2009 9:54:00 AM
sounds like a great day of fishing, i have a 17 year old son and a 19 year old daughter, and we are going up to rufus woods and i would like to buy 10 flys. Also a pik of the fly. i would like to thank your daughter for her service. Heres my phone number 509-784-5812 give me a call thanks.
Sackett
3/21/2009 11:05:00 AM
Great report! While the catching is what made it a phenomenal day of fishing, the fact that it was with your daughter is what made it a phenomenal experience! And you don’t need pictures for that! Good for you and thanks for sharing. It is not hard to genuinely get excited for someone else when you read a report like that.
Take care,
Mike
The Jigmiester
3/21/2009 2:39:00 PM
Big D. Theres nothing more special than a day on the water with your Kids. As an Army combat vetren of the 82nd Airborne, it warms my heart to know that your Daughter is serving her country and defending our freedom. My 16 year old son plans to join up in a couple of years, so I take him and his little brother out fishing whenever I can. Being a dad is the greatest honor in life, and sharing your stories with all of us at Washington Lakes.com is really awesome of you. We'll keep your daughters service in our paryers Sir. Thanks, Sergeant E-5- David J. Gerhauser A.K.A The Jigmiester
Big D
3/21/2009 3:01:00 PM
Hey The Jigmiester (David), Thank you very much for your comments & well wishes and Thank you very much for your service. I put her an the plane this morning out of Seattle at 2:00 am. and the drive back home to Wenatchee this morning was the longest drive I've had in along time. She's going to be in North Carolina for another month or so for out processing (Shots, health checks, paperwork & training) before she deploys to Afghanistan so we'll get to talk often. Thanks again. Big D
Liquid metal
3/21/2009 5:59:00 PM
Great story Big D,It is good to fish with your best fishin parder!! I sent e-mail but won't go thru to you. I would like to see how you wrap those pellet flys. please send to lectribugger@yahoo.com.
Liquid metal
3/23/2009 3:13:00 PM
I would like to thank Darren(Big D) publicly on this forum for sharing your fly pattern. I can't wait to try them out.
TroutPro
3/24/2009 8:08:00 PM
That's great to hear of your success on the water, I'm excited to get out there. I plan on going really early tomorrow morning so I'm happy to hear that you caught fish. ill be off of shore so we will see how it goes, Thanks for your great report, It's nice to hear that you had a good time with your daugter. That was always the best time for me, is when I got to take my dad out fishing and show him a few tricks. I wish you and your duaghter good luck! P.S. I am interested in the pellet fly, I will shoot you an email!
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709