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#976385 - 04/19/17 09:19 AM Ross Lake
Floatin' Fool Offline
Juvenile at Sea

Registered: 04/05/01
Posts: 107
Loc: Woodinville, WA
I have been invited on a 7-day canoe trip this July on Ross Lake. Apparently this group does not normally fish. I plan to.

Who can give me some tips on gear, location, methods, etc. for fishing on Ross Lake in July?

I'll be taking ultralight rod/reels and am intending to do some sort of trolling from a canoe or simply bank fishing.

Any information would be appreciated.

fool
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Hey, where's my float?

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#976387 - 04/19/17 11:26 AM Re: Ross Lake [Re: Floatin' Fool]
bushbear Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 08/26/02
Posts: 4709
Loc: Sequim
Some links to look at. A pretty location to go fishing/camping. As with most reservoirs/lakes, especially ones that drop off quickly along the shoreline, you best off trolling close to shore (less than 20' depth), working the points and inlets and if casting from shore with lures cast parallel to shore. Try letting your lure sink some before beginning your retrieve. A bubble and fly might be a good bet in the evening or early morning.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/vacation/ross_lake.html

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/washington/122/

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#976388 - 04/19/17 12:03 PM Re: Ross Lake [Re: bushbear]
Rivrguy Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 03/03/09
Posts: 4394
Loc: Somewhere on the planet,I hope
http://www.fishingmagician.com/
Try this and he does a good job for folks. Oh yeah he is a WDFW Commissioner just so you know.
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#976392 - 04/19/17 01:58 PM Re: Ross Lake [Re: Floatin' Fool]
NickD90 Offline
Shooting Instructor for hire

Registered: 10/26/10
Posts: 7260
Loc: Snohomish, WA
What Bushbear said.

Any of the creek outflows are also good (Big Beaver etc.).
A short hike up Big Beaver, casting micro spinners is also good to go.

I was just up there last weekend and it was COLD. Should warm up some before July.... wink
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#976405 - 04/20/17 09:00 AM Re: Ross Lake [Re: Floatin' Fool]
Salmo g. Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 03/08/99
Posts: 13520
Floatin' Fool,

Bushbear's first link mentions that Ross Lake now has redside shiners. Since the illegally introduced minnows became abundant, the lake's bull trout and rainbow trout grow larger with the added forage base. Rainbows reach 25" and bull trout - which you cannot technically target and must release - can reach 30". The floating resort near Ross Dam has two redside shiner fly patterns if you don't tie your own. The owner/operator gave me samples a few years ago that I misplaced. Troll or cast and strip shiner imitations along the shore, near snags or other debris and hang on.

Selective gear regulations are in effect, so it's artificial flies and lures, no bait, single barbless hooks.

If you're canoeing, don't get caught in the middle of the lake after about 1:00 in the afternoon. The wind can kick up a nasty chop and waves, making paddling unpleasant, if not downright dangerous.

Sg

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#976408 - 04/20/17 09:28 AM Re: Ross Lake [Re: Salmo g.]
Floatin' Fool Offline
Juvenile at Sea

Registered: 04/05/01
Posts: 107
Loc: Woodinville, WA
I'm not a bug tosser, so I'll have spinning gear. I've done small flies using a clear bubble float, long leader, and a small fly on the end. If I cast and slowly strip this combo, might it entice a strike?

Salmo's words about 25-30" troutskies simply warms my heart. If we're trolling, perhaps I should secure my rod, rather than just letting it drape over the side of the canoe.....

thanks all,

fool
_________________________
Hey, where's my float?

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#976409 - 04/20/17 10:02 AM Re: Ross Lake [Re: Floatin' Fool]
bushbear Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 08/26/02
Posts: 4709
Loc: Sequim
I think you can make a bubble/fly work. Might want to try about 3' of leader to a swivel and a small split shot at the swivel, put the bubble on your main line above the swivel. When you pause your retrieve, you can free spool some line allowing the fly to sink back down before your next retrieve.

Looking forward to your report later this summer.

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#976410 - 04/20/17 10:34 AM Re: Ross Lake [Re: bushbear]
Floatin' Fool Offline
Juvenile at Sea

Registered: 04/05/01
Posts: 107
Loc: Woodinville, WA
6 lb main line, 4 lb leader?

I'm not a scholar on selective fishing rules. Single barbless on all lures, too? Does anyone have suggestions on how to change out treble hooks on small lure? The split ring is ever so small and the small trebles are real hooky....

Is powerbait considered bait? I'm sure it is, since the goal is for the fish to not swallow the hook.

fool
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Hey, where's my float?

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#976411 - 04/20/17 11:02 AM Re: Ross Lake [Re: Floatin' Fool]
FleaFlickr02 Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 10/28/09
Posts: 3314
To de-treble your spinners, use some cutting pliers or a bolt cutter to cut the treble eye, remove the treble, and replace with a smallish siwash hook (which is easily closed around the split ring with a pair of pliers). You may want to look up some redside shiner pics, to get a feel for what color combinations might work best. Sounds like a silver blade over a red body might work....

For trout of the gawdy proportions mentioned, I would step up to 6-lb. leaders, especially for spin fishing.

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#976426 - 04/20/17 04:24 PM Re: Ross Lake [Re: Floatin' Fool]
Jason Beezuz Offline
My Waders are Moist

Registered: 11/20/08
Posts: 3440
Loc: PNW
Spoons and spinners, it couldnt be simpler. Usually the bite is deep during mid day and in a canoe it may be best to just get up early to fish and fish late since trolling deep in a canoe is usually an excersize in wasting time.

People over think this fishery because the bite comes and goes dramatically. When the bite is on any lure will work. I prefer spoons (cleos usually or boyant) because they cast further and cover more water and can be trolled between spots without rerigging.
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#976431 - 04/20/17 06:35 PM Re: Ross Lake [Re: Floatin' Fool]
NickD90 Offline
Shooting Instructor for hire

Registered: 10/26/10
Posts: 7260
Loc: Snohomish, WA
Here's how you do the bubble thing.

Bubbleology 101:

Get any fillable bubble. The larger the bubble, the farther you can cast. Fill it 1/2 full, no more than 3/4. Take about 2 feet of heavy 15 - 20 lb line and tie a small swivel on one end. Take your bubble and slip it on the mono with the smaller center tube end towards the swivel and slide it all the way down to said swivel. Measure about 6 - 8" of your line and tie in another swivel on the other end in that spot. You should end up with a pre-tied bubble assembly. swivel -
bubble - swivel. About 6 - 8" long in total. Pre-ties are easy to store and manage. They are perfect if you want to switch between flies and a lure. Just cut off your main line at the leading swivel to fish lures. Re-tie at the swivel when you want to go back to flies. No need to remove the leader and fly at all.

Now tie onto your main 6 - 8 lb line. Tie it on so that the smaller bubble tube end is facing towards your rod (main line). You don't want it backwards or the center tube may push out from being reeled in. On the other end / swivel end, tie on your leader. 6 - 8' of 6 lb. Flouro for line shy fish. Now tie on your wet fly (wooly bugger, shiner pattern - whatever). Add a small split shot about 2 feet above your fly and you are good to go.

Now, cast out nice and slow and as FAR as you can. With 6 - 8' of leader below your bubble, make sure to lift the fly off the ground. Nice and slow smooth cast.

Once the bubble hits the water, do not do anything until the splash rings disappear. Just let is sit for 20 - 30 seconds. Now retrieve in slower than you have ever reeled before and then go even slower. Watch your bubble and if you begin to make a bubble wake, you are reeling much too fast. Don't try to strip, just reel super slow. If the bubble tracks in any direction that is not straight towards you, set the hook.

Grill trout.


Edited by NickD90 (04/20/17 06:54 PM)
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#976450 - 04/21/17 08:47 AM Re: Ross Lake [Re: Floatin' Fool]
Salmo g. Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 03/08/99
Posts: 13520
FF,

I wouldn't go lighter than 6# test line/leader. You may not need a bubble for your spinning outfit, but it's probably a good idea to have one along. I think a couple small, size BB split shot, will give you casting weight and achieve the shallow depth you'll generally fish near shorelines. While trolling works, I think cast and strip is more effective in imitating the way the shiners swim. You might do that by lifting your spinning rod tip a couple feet and then slowly reeling down to where you began the lift, sort of like fishing a jig.

The shiners have totally changed that fishery.

Sg

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#976453 - 04/21/17 10:10 AM Re: Ross Lake [Re: Floatin' Fool]
BroodBuster Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 07/11/04
Posts: 3113
Loc: Bothell, Wa
Leaded line + needlefish and full sink line + Woolley bugger have always been my go to canoe set ups.
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#976481 - 04/23/17 07:55 AM Re: Ross Lake [Re: Floatin' Fool]
thaxor Offline
Returning Adult

Registered: 08/07/06
Posts: 425
Loc: Olympia, WA
I've been having amazing success with "pistol pete" flies. Flat lined out of a boat/canoe/whatever.


Bubble + shiner pattern sounds fun.

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#976482 - 04/23/17 09:04 AM Re: Ross Lake [Re: thaxor]
Direct-Drive Offline
ExtenZe Field Tester

Registered: 11/10/09
Posts: 8060
Loc: Vancouver, WA
Originally Posted By: thaxor
I've been having amazing success with "pistol pete" flies. Flat lined out of a boat/canoe/whatever.


Bubble + shiner pattern sounds fun.

That fly brings back memories of lake fishing with the ol' man.
We would flat-line troll propeller flies like that....typical color was a Cardinal red.
Also on a calm evening a flat-lined Muddler pattern would work well.
They make a nice little wake......and then wham !!

I've also had good luck drowning a dry fly pattern using the same flat-line trolling method.

The small size Flatfish in Michael Jackson is yet another flat-line trout whacker.

The pulsation of rowing, I think adds an advantage over motor trolling.

Flat-line = no weight.....tie directly to your bug and get it out 100' or so.

One more thing.....
Don't let them take your rod away....they WILL try to take your rod away.

Good luck !

Edit:
If this represents those shiners, then a Thomas Buoyant spoon will whack them very, very well.
I would add a split ring (or snap swivel) to the nose of Thomas and also continue with the flat-line method.





Edited by Direct-Drive (04/23/17 11:39 AM)
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#976483 - 04/23/17 09:15 AM Re: Ross Lake [Re: thaxor]
SRoffe Offline
Spawner

Registered: 03/02/08
Posts: 814
Originally Posted By: thaxor
I've been having amazing success with "pistol pete" flies. Flat lined out of a boat/canoe/whatever.





Fly casting one of those is fun,... hearing the buzz of that propeller spinning as the fly whips by your ear at Mach 1.
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Sam





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#976486 - 04/23/17 11:37 AM Re: Ross Lake [Re: ]
Direct-Drive Offline
ExtenZe Field Tester

Registered: 11/10/09
Posts: 8060
Loc: Vancouver, WA
Originally Posted By: Myassisdragon
Can we use these fly propellers on lakes with motor restrictions ?

You must bring the camp host a fresh-baked apple pie in order to receive the permit to run propeller flies on restricted lakes.


LOL
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#976495 - 04/24/17 12:25 PM Re: Ross Lake [Re: Floatin' Fool]
Bobber Downey Jr. Offline
Parr

Registered: 04/01/15
Posts: 46
Loc: Bellingham, wa
ive been to ross a couple times, fishing is usually pretty good for around here. the trout are good size and really pretty. most fish are about 16-18", and occasionally up to about 22". dont expect to see any of those "25-30 inch" fish mentioned earlier. the northernmost 2 miles of the lake is where the best fishing is, as its the only shallow zone with a respectable food chain. although there is brookies and bull trout, its real rare to catch one, other than up in the skagit. coho killers are a pretty good match for the forage base in the lake, but i would recommend swapping out that meat hook for a lighter wire. ross is the boss!

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#976583 - 04/27/17 09:41 AM Re: Ross Lake [Re: Floatin' Fool]
DrifterWA Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 04/25/00
Posts: 5074
Loc: East of Aberdeen, West of Mont...
Right up front....I've never fished Ross Land BUT I did fish Diablo Lake, back in the early 1960's. Diablo Lake is right below Ross Lake.

There was NO North Cascades hi-way, at that time, the complete HI way wasn't complete until 1974.

I remember 4 of us left Bellevue early to be a Diablo Lake around daylight. I also remember having to walk from the base of the dam up to the lake. Only 1 of the four had fished this lake, so it was a new experience for 3 of us. Trout fishing was my passion, at that time. Bear Ck., around Redmond, all the local lakes, and many of the "pot holes lakes in Eastern WA. I still have some of the lures I used that morning, 50+ years ago. We all caught fish, that morning......we all lost fish, broken lines/leaders. The fish were BIG, most were in the 21" - 25", fought like heck.

The lures I remember using: skinny Minnie, super duper, roster tail, and small spinners. All cast from the bank, no resort on the lake.

Got married in 1963, went to college in 1964-68, started teaching 1968, in Aberdeen, so never went back to fish. Did trailer the North Cascades hi way, it is truly one of the most beautiful trips you can make.

I'm not sure if the "skinny Minnie or super duper" are still available but they sure worked, IN THE OLD DAYS!!!!!


Edited by DrifterWA (04/27/17 09:45 AM)
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#976592 - 04/27/17 12:05 PM Re: Ross Lake [Re: Floatin' Fool]
spokey9 Offline
Juvenile at Sea

Registered: 05/30/02
Posts: 211
Loc: Ravenden, AR
Super dupers are still around, I use gold ones for trout a lot and they still work great. Never heard of a skinny Minnie though
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