Lake CDL?

2195 Views 29 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Old Man, Apr 7, 2017

surfnfish

Discussion Starter · Apr 3, 2017

We'll be relocating next year from the Oregon coast, where I have thoroughly enjoyed tidewater King salmon on the fly, to Spokane to join our daughter and grandkids. I'll miss the fish, not the 100" of annual rainfall or the constantly increasing crowds that have gotten to the point that flyfishers are arriving 3 to 4 hours prior to prime time just to secure a preferred anchor position for their skiff.

While researching Spokane region fisheries, I was pleasantly surprised to learn of an apparently vibrant King fishery in Lake CDL.

Understanding this is primarily a deep water trolling affair, having learned that the Kings move into the top 20' water column during early spring, would think there must be a group of flyfishers targeting these fish at that time..?

Would appreciate any feedback offered on this fishery,

cheers

1 - 20 of 30 Posts

Greg Smith

· #2 · Apr 3, 2017

surfnfish said:
We'll be relocating next year from the Oregon coast, where I have thoroughly enjoyed tidewater King salmon on the fly, to Spokane to join our daughter and grandkids. I'll miss the fish, not the 100" of annual rainfall or the constantly increasing crowds that have gotten to the point that flyfishers are arriving 3 to 4 hours prior to prime time just to secure a preferred anchor position for their skiff.

While researching Spokane region fisheries, I was pleasantly surprised to learn of an apparently vibrant King fishery in Lake CDL.

Understanding this is primarily a deep water trolling affair, having learned that the Kings move into the top 20' water column during early spring, would think there must be a group of flyfishers targeting these fish at that time..?

Would appreciate any feedback offered on this fishery,

cheers

castawayflyfishingshop.com

Greg

Riversidecountydrive

· #3 · Apr 3, 2017

Greg Smith said:
castawayflyfishingshop.com

Greg

link doesn't work

Krusty

· #4 · Apr 3, 2017

The first rule of Lake CDA king flyfishing is that we don't talk about Lake CDA king flyfishing.

Reactions: 5

Greg Smith

· #5 · Apr 3, 2017

Riversidecountydrive said:
link doesn't work

Your right. This is their facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Castaway-Fly-Shop-188756373584/

generic

· #6 · Apr 3, 2017

They run up the rivers to spawn too.

Don't hook one on a 4wt though... because it doesn't turn out to well.

flyawayfish44

· #7 · Apr 4, 2017

Firstly, that particular fishery is a real gem so be considerate and conservative.

Secondly, vibrancy is debatable. I've seen some crazy ups and downs. They're there though.

I will tell you, though, to largely ignore the locals. They aren't your friend and they don't want you catching their fish and they will lie to your face. I even had a fella tell me all the fish were gone once, years ago.

And try to limit eating what you haul out.

Reactions: 1

surfnfish

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 4, 2017

Thanks to the helpful, and special thanks to the flyfisher who sent me a PM. Have done the same many times, offering local knowledge, as well as a seat in my skiff if it's about swinging for salmon in local tidewater.

As to keeping fish, last few years have had excellent runs, I averaged 15 to 20 Kings to hand each fall, only clipped hatchery fish were kept, and they were shared with elderly neighbors who can no longer fish.

Last fall had on a bigly male estimated in the 40# range when it went airborne in front of our skiffs, deliberately broke him off (which drove the bank gearheads crazy) so he could continue his upriver journey, as we need those studs to maintain the fishery..and figured with that size 2 orange and gold Comet pinned to the corner of his mouth, the gal fish should find him roguishly attractive..lol

flyawayfish44

· #9 · Apr 5, 2017

surfnfish said:
As to keeping fish.....l

Honestly I'm speaking more to the pollution than anything. You're going to want to limit eating pretty much any fish you haul out of any moving water out there. Lots of mining pollution. Lots. Poor fish in some of the lakes included.

surfnfish

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 5, 2017

flyawayfish44 said:
Honestly I'm speaking more to the pollution than anything. You're going to want to limit eating pretty much never any fish you haul out of any moving water out there. Lots of mining pollution. Lots. Poor fish in some of the lakes included.

oohhh...

flyawayfish44

· #11 · Apr 5, 2017

Yeah, it's a bit of a bummer. Not every water you hit is so bad but overall, but in my opinion of living out there, you're gonna wanna rigidly practice C&R rather than eating much.

Make good use of some of the stocked lakes, though. There's a little lake south/southeast of Cheney called Fish lake that I really enjoyed spending my afternoons at years ago. Good number of pretty ok-sized stocked trout in there of all variety. No secret, but not heavily hit and fun enough. Silver lake, too, pumped out good trout; big enough to sustain a healthy recurring population and also was regularly stocked for spring itch and pan-frying needs. Really pretty brookies if I recall correctly, to boot. Fish are ok to eat. Choose the lake wisely, the water temperature varies widely and warm trout taste... odd.

Regardless, lots of fishing to do. There's some bigger brutes out there like you're accustomed to, but use this situation as an opportunity to buff your small creek and lake-run trout skills. You'd be surprise at what you come across sometimes. Especially if you're willing to go up certain watersheds. You can't believe what you can still haul out of certain skinny waters. Pioneer-era stuff. You just unfortunately have to do all the work yourself.

And again, conservation and consideration above all else out there! Those fisheries are literally teetering on a balance and it isn't tilting in their favor. The locals guard those waters like the secrets of the Egyptian tombs for a reason.

Oh, shit, and never underestimate bass. God bass are fun. Less 'prestige' or whatever but good lord they're fun, and there's a ton on that side in the lakes and some slow-flow rivers.

Good luck, man!

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Reactions: 2

generic

· #12 · Apr 5, 2017

Yah, Ive lived here all my life. You do NOT want to eat anything out of that lake, or streams that flow into or out of that lake (Spokane river). Lots of fun to catch, just lett'em go.

There are several lakes around with plenty of catch and keep fish. Things have changed at Fish and Silver lakes (good/bad) it's relative. Find the one that intriguies you, and go after it
You can't go wrong - just know the regs,

flyawayfish44

· #13 · Apr 5, 2017

generic said:
Things have changed at Fish and Silver lakes (good/bad) it's relative.

Is Fish lake no good anymore?? I really used to like spending my time there. It was my first east side lake when I moved from Texas as teenager (lived about 4 miles up the road). Silver lake was always a clusterfuck but had such good fishing that it never bothered me much. Really, I can't recall one time I went to Silver lake when I was like 14 or 15 and didn't have five trout to take home to mom. Once I began to drive I always went further away but I still like to reminisce.

generic

· #14 · Apr 5, 2017

flyawayfish44 said:
Is Fish lake no good anymore?? I really used to like spending my time there. It was my first east side lake when I moved from Texas as teenager (lived about 4 miles up the road). Silver lake was always a clusterfuck but had such good fishing that it never bothered me much. Really, I can't recall one time I went to Silver lake when I was like 14 or 15 and didn't have five trout to take home to mom. Once I began to drive I always went further away but I still like to reminisce.

They've killed it off twice, and it has a bunch of smaller fish in it, but it gets hammered all the time now. Still "nice" little lake, with a Sandy beach and playground equipment now. Just not the "hole in the wall" lake it use to be, with way more people now.

flyawayfish44

· #15 · Apr 5, 2017

Killed it off? Like, sterilized the lake? What the hell? Why?

generic

· #16 · Apr 5, 2017

flyawayfish44 said:
Killed it off? Like, sterilized the lake? What the hell? Why?

That's what they do, when they get too many "junk fish" in there. Bass, pike, tench, etc. Then plant trout the next year.

generic

· #17 · Apr 5, 2017

BTW, Silver is known for its Tiger Muskies now and bass. They haven't planted any trout in there for a while I don't think.

flyawayfish44

· #18 · Apr 5, 2017

Oh wow. I was literally taught how to fish for trout in a lake, on that lake, by some random old timer I sat down next to as a kid. I had my standard rod, reel, bobber/weight/hook setup I used for catfish and bass as a kid. He taught me alien concepts like marshmallows and "powerbait". My first trophy rainbow came out of Silver lake - I still have weird feelings about harvesting it some... decades later (avid C&R these days, especially trophies), now. Sucker had to be nearly 3 or 4 pounds, and striking, deep, red coloring. Had I been the person I am now I would have let him go. Youthful ignorance, if I can say that.

No trout... Wow. Strange feeling, the passing of time.

surfnfish

Discussion Starter · #19 · Apr 6, 2017

flyawayfish44 said:
Honestly I'm speaking more to the pollution than anything. You're going to want to limit eating pretty much never any fish you haul out of any moving water out there. Lots of mining pollution. Lots. Poor fish in some of the lakes included.

oohhh...obviously this c

junkie

· #20 · Apr 6, 2017

generic said:
BTW, Silver is known for its Tiger Muskies now and bass. They haven't planted any trout in there for a while I don't think.

Shit. I didn't know that. If I remember correctly, my step dad and I used to troll there when I was a kid for some nice browns.

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