On Chelan, fish the deep water on either side of the Narrows near the Yacht Club. Our “go to” lure here is a T4 purple glow flatfish. Mack’s Lures Cha Cha Squidders in glow colors also works great in this area. Fish out to the 380’s bench before turning around. Most fish have been biting from 260 to 340 feet deep. Really watch your speed. Keep it between 1.3 and 1.6 mph for best results. For those that want to focus on numbers, pound away at the lower end of the trench with Ace Hi Flies, Mack’s Cha Cha’s and U20 flatfish.
Fishing with Fire Bait near the lower pens on Rufus has been very good. The new flavors the people at Pautzke’s have come up with really trigger those big fish. Mallow Balls O’ Fire, American Wildfire, Atomic Garlic and Garlic Wildfire all got woofed when the bite was on. They continued to snick fish when the faster bite had turned off. The Garlic flavors are pretty good on crackers when the bite is slow. Don’t do it, I’m kidding. We continue to be able to get fish to bite jigs for some catch and release action.
Your fishing tip of the week is to refine your old slip sinker bait fishing techniques for better success at Rufus. First, remember to lengthen your leaders. Instead of 2 to 3 feet, your leaders should be 4 to 6 feet. Second, vary your weight as the current changes. To be consistent you have to be able to feel the bottom. You can be going 70 to over 90 feet deep to get at these pellet eating fish. Third, use a big chunk of bait. We usually are putting a gob of bait big enough to hide a #4 hook. Finally, don’t just let it sit there. If you don’t get bit, move the bait. Recast often.
Your kid’s tip of the week is to focus on a few details to keep the kids feet warm and comfortable for these cold weather fishing forays. First, make sure the boots have room. If you let them wear tight boots or stuff them full of socks, the constriction will get their feet cold faster than anything. Also, remember those chemical toe warmers. They are a foot saver for old guys too. Don’t put them on until you are out there to prevent the sweating and chilling from evaporation.
Your safety tip of the week is to have a GPS for running Rufus in the fog. It can be disorienting early in the morning when the fog is thick.
Anton Jones of Darrell & Dad's Family Guide Service
(http://www.darrellanddads.com or 1-866-360-1523)
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Pictured: 1/2/12 - Lisa Murray of Bellevue with a 13.1 pound Rufus Triploid caught on Pautzke's Fire Bait in Mallow Balls O' Fire. She was fishing with Guide Jeff Witkowski, Brian Whitney, the old man and Mike Diefenbach of Ellensburg.
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Also Pictured: 12/31/11 - Doug McKay of Seattle with an 11 pound 5 oz Lake Chelan Mackinaw caught on a Mack's Lures Cha Cha Squidder.
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Finally Pictured: 12/29/11 - Mike Sprague of Oregon with his girls and their mornings catch of Lake Chelan Mackinaw.
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