Why are no one fishing Pass Lake?

5063 Views 29 Replies 16 Participants Last post by Scott Salzer, Jul 25, 2016

BobA

Discussion Starter · Jul 6, 2016

For years, Pass Lake used to be a super place to catch and release fish year round! But these days, seems no one is fishing it? The State Fish and Game has eliminated stocking it with catchable trout! The few times I have been on the lake, the only ones catching trout are the eagles. I watched an eagle get a nice brown trout the last trip out.

1 - 20 of 30 Posts

Lue Taylor

· #2 · Jul 6, 2016

Try fishing something other than a Woolly Bugger.

Reactions: 2

dibling

· #3 · Jul 6, 2016

Last couple of times I've been up there it has been pretty thin as far as crowds go. I never crush it at pass, but usually have a handful of opportunities.

Scott Salzer

· #4 · Jul 6, 2016

My last trip was a tough one. One fish to the net, one LDR. It was great in the spring.... (10) fish on trip - (3) bows, (7) browns and (5) of those browns were decent.

skyrise

· #5 · Jul 7, 2016

seems like the wdfw has bias against any lake that is popular with fly fishers.

Smalma

· #6 · Jul 7, 2016

skyrise nailed it! The evil empire has been conspiring against the fly anglers and any chance of a quality fishery.

Or it could be that for several years WDFW staff has been working with the members of the Fidalgo Fly club and others reviewing the quality of the trout; especially the carry-overs. The last several year the carry-over fish had been in poor condition and less than what some would desire. WDFW staff the last two springs worked with the local fly anglers in sampling the trout; both rod and reel sampling by anglers collecting lengths and weight of the trout and gill net sampling as well as review available water quality information. The focus on a potential "fix" to address the quality of the carry-over fish landed on the planting levels. After discussions the number of fish planted has been adjusted in an experimental fashion. The number of fry released in 2015 was lowered. The results have been both as expected and hoped. With lower competition from the small fry the carry-over fish did well; with larger and better conditioned fish. Of course that also means fewer yearling trout. That planting strategy was repeated in 2016.

As with all waters there are some biological limitations ont he productivity of Pass Lake and the management trick is to match that productivity with the desires of the anglers. While the adjustments to date has produced some very nice carry-overs it is also clear that many anglers are not finding the current fishing acceptable. Maybe instread of taking unfounded shots at others folks that have or expect to enjoy to become involved by providing feed back to those involved and maybe taking the time to become informed - just an idea.

Curt

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Reactions: 5

wareagle

· #7 · Jul 7, 2016

I fished it a week ago and landed 5 lost 1 in 3 hours, in the morning. Largest 18", other's 14 to 16. Water was murky brown and 67 degrees. 11 boats out, but only saw one other fish caught. 2 on buggers and 4 casting skulpin into weeds. Left because wind was a pain.

wanative

· #8 · Jul 7, 2016

I'm not fishing lately because of a bum knee. It's an old fishing injury.
I've been pretty happy with the fishing this year but the eagles are a problem.
Time to hit Baker Lake for sockeye now for a while.

Jeff Dodd

· #9 · Jul 7, 2016

wanative said:
I'm not fishing lately because of a bum knee. It's an old fishing injury.
I've been pretty happy with the fishing this year but the eagles are a problem.
Time to hit Baker Lake for sockeye now for a while.

Are you fishing baker with fast sink lines on the fly rod?

Reactions: 1

Tim Lockhart

· #10 · Jul 7, 2016

Smalma said:
skyrise nailed it! The evil empire has been conspiring against the fly anglers and any chance of a quality fishery.

Or it could be that for several years WDFW staff has been working with the members of the Fidalgo Fly club and others reviewing the quality of the trout; especially the carry-overs. The last several year the carry-over fish had been in poor condition and less than what some would desire. WDFW staff the last two springs worked with the local fly anglers in sampling the trout; both rod and reel sampling by anglers collecting lengths and weight of the trout and gill net sampling as well as review available water quality information. The focus on a potential "fix" to address the quality of the carry-over fish landed on the planting levels. After discussions the number of fish planted has been adjusted in an experimental fashion. The number of fry released in 2015 was lowered. The results have been both as expected and hoped. With lower competition from the small fry the carry-over fish did well; with larger and better conditioned fish. Of course that also means fewer yearling trout. That planting strategy was repeated in 2016.

As with all waters there are some biological limitations ont he productivity of Pass Lake and the management trick is to match that productivity with the desires of the anglers. While the adjustments to date has produced some very nice carry-overs it is also clear that many anglers are not finding the current fishing acceptable. Maybe instread of taking unfounded shots at others folks that have or expect to enjoy to become involved by providing feed back to those involved and maybe taking the time to become informed - just an idea.

Curt

My feedback would be take 2016 and cut that in half. Still way too many fish and, yeah, I've seen sizes recently that I haven't seen in 7 or 8 years. Working harder for fewer yet larger fish tends to be only a dream anymore. Seems most would rather catch fish than get good at catching fish.

Reactions: 5

wanative

· #11 · Jul 7, 2016

Jeff Dodd said:
Are you fishing baker with fast sink lines on the fly rod?

No, 10wt I mean 10 lb. Lead core I mean lead weight off the down rigger.

With my customized hot pink mini hoochie.

Hand Gesture Finger Thumb Nail

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Reactions: 2

Stonefish

· #12 · Jul 7, 2016

Good to hear about the reduced stocking numbers producing larger fish.
We discussed just that subject a few years ago, though not about Pass specifically.
SF
http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/forum/threads/quantity-vs-quality.76967/

Lostcreeker

· #13 · Jul 7, 2016

I fished it today, 2-4:30, and managed to hook 5 fish, landed four and all quality fish; 1-18", 2-19" and 1 22" brown. Also had a memorable eagle tussle.

Reactions: 1

Jeff Dodd

· #14 · Jul 7, 2016

wanative said:
No, 10wt I mean 10 lb. Lead core I mean lead weight off the down rigger.
With my customized hot pink mini hoochie.
View attachment 120509

Catching salmon in a lake sounds like a blast. Best of luck!

Someday I will give this a try, but it's a long haul from Langley

wanative

· #15 · Jul 7, 2016

Jeff Dodd said:
Catching salmon in a lake sounds like a blast. Best of luck!

Someday I will give this a try, but it's a long haul from Langley

It is a long haul.
Thanks. It is a long haul.
So is Lone lake from Blaine but I did it this year once finally. I'm going Sunday and need a first mate if you'd like to join me.

Jeff Dodd

· #16 · Jul 7, 2016

wanative said:
It is a long haul.
Thanks. It is a long haul.
So is Lone lake from Blaine but I did it this year once finally. I'm going Sunday and need a first mate if you'd like to join me.

Cool! I will be in touch. Thank you for the offer

Tim Lockhart

· #17 · Jul 8, 2016

The real reason - Clayton is finally keeping it zipped!

Reactions: 5

BobA

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jul 15, 2016

I guess the new stocking plan is working good. Fewer fish, but larger. Still no one seems to be fishing Pass Lake. Another successful strategy and implementation!

Lue Taylor

· #19 · Jul 16, 2016

do you really want a crowd.

BobA

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jul 16, 2016

Just saying, it would be really nice to see a couple of guys fishing. The only ones fishing are the bald eagles and otters.

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