I had another great week of sockeye fishing on Lake Wenatchee. People are loving this record-breaking season. The wind even laid down for a couple of days, making the fishing even more fun. Still, I have only missed a couple of days of sockeye fishing this year due to high wind. There were a couple of days when I wondered what the heck I was doing going out there but managed to either limit or get near limits on those days.
Last Sunday I traveled to Brewster to see how the Brewster King Salmon Derby turned out. Mike Mauk, derby organizer was busy, but took the time to visit with me while anglers turned in their catches. Participation was lower this year, because of the closure of the Brewster Pool to fishing for Chinook. Still, all those who did chase kings turned in some great fish and the reader board was full. The first angler I saw at the derby headquarters to turn in their catch was four-year-old Beau Benson. She was hugging a salmon that weighed 11.86 pounds. It turned out that the 8 & Under category on the leader board featured three Bensons! The coveted King of the Pool award went to Gage Howe, with a 20.63 pound Chinook. At the top of the Adult category leaderboard was Pat Coffee, who landed a 19.66 pound king. This was the second year in a row that he topped this category. Everyone that took part in this year’s derby was extremely glad they did and are looking forward to next year’s event. This week’s photo is of Beau hugging her catch, which took second place in the 8 and under category.
Last Thursday was only the second calm day on Lake Wenatchee this season. What a pleasure, just running on my bow mount electric. Last year I got Travis Maitland, District Biologist for Region 2 out fishing, and we had a great day. On Thursday Travis came fishing with me again, and this year we were joined by Chad Jackson, Fish Program Manager for Region 2. I have known both of these guys for years, long before I served on the WDFW Commission. They have been very helpful, keeping me up to date on area fisheries. Both of them are avid anglers, and it was a real pleasure having them on the boat. They knew how to run the riggers, set the other rods and net the fish. It was a nice break. I usually am doing all of these things while driving the boat. We got off to a good start and had four fish in the cooler fairly quickly. The action slowed after the first hour or so, but we just kept plugging away and picked up a fish every now and then. We covered quite a bit of water and got our 12 fish. A terrific day on the water!
Valley Tractor in East Wenatchee got into the boating business back in the late 90s. Buell Hawkins met with me and said that he wanted me to represent their line of Smoker Craft boats. He told me that he would give me a new boat every year, and that I had to take him fishing for the rest of his life. It turned out to be a great deal. Valley Tractor sold boats and Buell and I have become lifelong friends. I made good on my part of the deal on Wednesday, when I took Buell and his grandson fishing on Lake Wenatchee. Luke said that if he caught one salmon it would be a great day. He got his wish. Not long after we got our lines out he cranked in a fish, and while Buell was netting it, two other rods went off. Somehow we managed to get all three fish in the boat and into the cooler. We all agreed to fishing until 9 ‘o clock, so we could have breakfast at the Squirrel Tree. I sent them home with seven sockeye and some great memories.
I want to remind everyone that there is a special event planned for the Blackbird Island Juvenile fishing pond. My neighbor, Calder Fiske, is my number one fan, and probably the most enthusiastic angler I know. Although just 12 years old, Calder has come up with a plan to help get kids out to experience the fun of fishing. He has planned a Just for Kids Fishing Fun Day Derby at Blackbird Island Pond in Leavenworth on Saturday, August 17th. Blackbird Island Pond is open to Juveniles only and only kids under the age of 15 can fish here. Calder has medals to award anglers who turn in their biggest fish in several age categories, age four up to age 14. He also has a medal to give the angler that clearly had no help from their parent. Kids need to bring their own fishing gear. Families can register their kids when they arrive at the pond. The event starts at 7 a.m. and you can turn in fish until noon. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help at the event, you can contact Calder at Calder.fiske@icloud.com.
One of my favorite things to do on hot summer days here in Leavenworth is fishing Icicle Creek. When it’s 90 degrees in town, I grab a light weight fly rod and drive up the valley to cast to the small rainbow that are abundant in this stream. Splashing around in the cooling water I think of nothing other than where to place my next cast. The trout are small, but I find big relief from the heat or anything else that occupies my mind during the day. The Icicle is right in my back yard, but there are some other streams that offer the same solitude and have bigger trout to chase. The Kettle River, not far from Curlew Lake, is high on my list. My wife and I have spent several days on this small river. It is loaded with rainbow and brown trout and a few cutthroat. On one occasion, we watched a big rainbow, and I mean 3 or 4 pounds, grey hound upstream after breaking me off. We were stunned at the sight of this fish. That’s what keeps me going back to the Kettle. I want another chance at a trout like that one—that got away.