Hey mrauscher,
I was out on Sammamish last Wednesday also. Fished until just before noon. You headed out just as I was done and heading to the dock.
There were fish on my finder, but no bites. I used dodger + red wedding ring or needlefish red head. tried without, then with shrimp tip.
I didn't try a worm though. You might have the magic touch. I felt so badly skunked that I have thrown in the towel on fishing. Any insightful advise?

Thanks for the report! perhaps the State doesn't want our money during the winter season at Sammamish. I haven't heard of any tickets being given, however, I would leave a note under your windshield asking enforcement to please put an envelope under your wipers so you can pay and to fix their stupid machine. LOL. If any of you fish Sammamish regularly (ie more than 6 times a year) it would be smart to get the "Natural Investment Pass for $80 per year. It is a transferrable windshield pass that is a great deal if you fish the lake often.

I'm sorry to hear there wasn't more action, however, it sounds like you guys were fishing in a small craft advisory. LOL. I would try size 2 Needlefish in dark colors trolled 30 yards behind the downrigger ball between 30ft and 10ft down. If that doesn't work, I would try deeper... as it seems that chironomid hatch has waned down. Try different trolling speeds as well. The Sammamish trout like a faster moving lure even in this cold water.

Good luck!

Also, sounds as if you may have hooked into some pre-spawn Searun Cutthroat. The native fish are very colorful when starting to get spawn colors. Good Job!!

I called WA state parks and was concerned with being ticketed at the boat launch. I told them that I would drop off a $10 check to their Issaquah Office since I could not get the fee envelope in their box at the launch. I believe they are near Costco in Pickering Place. I stayed near the south end of the lake, since that was where the fish showed on my finder, but unlike mrauscher I did not get any fish on.