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Snuck out between weather fronts and was greeted with a really nice day, sunny and clear early with cloud cover showing up late morning. Catching was just average, but when we found some we either had a double or a second hookup shortly after the first.

Was about 20mins before the first hookup, on a long lined Rip'n Minnow of all things, which was a really nice Redband that managed to tangle into my leaded line rig as well. De-hooked and released I set about clearing the tangle and with two loops left to remove danged if I didn't hookup on the leaded line. Now that was an interesting challenge, but I managed to get the mono off my leaded line and undo the remaining tangles in it, and successfully land another nice Redband. Two fish boated and none in the box - bummer.

My buddy hooks up next with a 15 1/2" keeper which, even though the smallest of the day, was still a chunky fish. I followed up my first keeper at 17 1/2" .

The bites came in spurts, which I determined were small pockets of fish, so made for a somewhat inconsistent bite. Up side was nice weather, calm water, and an opportunity to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. We spotted a large herd of bighorn sheep and my buddy counted 35 head. Watched them come down from the hillside and forage just above the edge of the bank.

The next spurt we encountered my buddy puts two in the box, both 18" - 19" and we doubled on his second, mine, again, had that extra fin so after a quick pic I sent it back. Told my buddy it was a good thing he was catching keepers!

We had three doubles yesterday which was quite unique. My buddy completed his limit around 1pm or so and I was sitting with 2 in the cooler. We both have 2 rod permits so I decided to stow the Rip'n Minnow and fish a pair of Kekedas for the last stretch. Pointed to spot on the shore where I told my buddy we'd end the day whether and said I've got until there to finish out.

Was almost to the spot when I had a tap, pause, tap, pause, tap, pause, but no take down so hit WOT button on the Trollmaster for a 5 second burst and release, watching the rod in hopes of a strike. Long pause then a savage takedown - oh yeah! Worked it to the boat and we both knew instantly it was a nice fish. Turned out it was the biggest of the day at 20 1/2", just shy of 3lbs, and no extra fin! Trolled on hoping for another hookup but reached the spot without another so pulled gear and headed for the marina.

A perch colored Kekeda put 5 in the cooler yesterday but not a single Redband whereas the Rip'n Minnow accounted for one Redband, and the black/orange Kekeda accounted for two plus all three of my keepers.

Speed was mostly 3 - 3.2mph yesterday sometimes a little more. Go to standards for us, Kekada flies tipped with worms on leaded line rigs 155' out and for the short times I longlined mono, they were out 195'. We fished the shore across from Lincoln from the sand banks almost to the far end, then reversed course ending the day where we started.

The 8 we kept produced 12lbs of fillets. :-)

Part-Time

12/20/2018 9:26:08 AM

Good to hear you got out and the weather cooperated. Based on the reports and my experience up the Arm there would seem to be more wild fish in the main river than up the Arm. In the interest of furthering the knowledge base I hope to head to Lincoln tomorrow and will throw the same stuff at them that I use on the Arm. Mind you it is purely in interests of scientific investigation.

afk

12/20/2018 6:18:04 PM

Hey Phil, Gotta love sneaking out fishin' in the middle of the week. And then to time it between storms is even sweeter. Glad to see you got some nice ones. Thanks for the report. Andy

hewesfisher

12/21/2018 7:50:23 AM

I was concerned about the single day between storms as it was NASTY Tuesday and we got 6/10 inch of rain plus high wind. I watched clouds zooming in the moonlight and was really worried NWS had blown forecast. Told my buddy I had no idea what to expect bite wise. Other than icy roads from Airway Heights to Davenport, the weather was great.

Sad to learn of a fatal wreck near Fairchild later that morning. I can tell you people were driving WAY TOO FAST on icy roads Wednesday morning. :-(

downriggeral

12/21/2018 9:03:02 PM

Hi Phil. Good lookin fish. Glad to see you made it out between storms. My boat is in Portland getting a new top. We are down there for Christmas and will pick up the finished boat after Christmas. Merry Christmas to you and family Alan

hewesfisher

12/22/2018 6:51:01 AM

And Merry Christmas to you and yours too Alan. Safe travels on your return home my friend. :-)

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