Daily Fishing Reports

Fishing Report - May 5, 2008

We’re off and running! The East Walker is still fishing pretty well, it’s of course getting some pressure now that the regular season is open, but most anglers are getting in to some nice fish. There has been some really nice streamer action as of late with sculpzilla’s, JJ Specials, zuddlers and moal leeches down there, as well as the usual nymph fishing. Small midge patterns like red or olive tailwater tinies, flashback emergers, silver streaks, ice nymphs in black and silver are all doing well, as well as caddis patterns like Fox’s poopah, LaFontaine’s deep sparkle pupa, z-wing caddis and little weedie’s. The flow is at about 95 today and the temps are still in great shape.

Bridgeport Lake is doing pretty well, we’ve had a couple fly anglers hitting some fish with streamers, and a few with midges. As the water warms up the midging should just keep getting better. The trollers are doing well out in front of the marina and down near the dam with trophy sticks and rapalas, as well as spoons like needlefish and Thomas bouyants. The bait fishermen are doing the best off Rainbow Point and in Buckeye Bay with inflated crawlers. It seems the trollers are not catching as many fish as the bait fishermen, but the average size is a little bigger trolling. We’ve seen fish up to 5.5lbs the last few days, about 50/50 browns to bows.

The Virginias are still iced over, as of 5/3 the ice was about 28” thick on the lower lake. Fishing through the ice with crawlers, power eggs, or jigging spoons seems to be the best.

The West Walker is fishing really well, the snow is not running off too much yet so the water is still fairly low and clear. Small nymphs and wooly buggers for the fly anglers and for the spin anglers it’s been small panther martins and rooster tails, or eggs and crawlers.

The Twins are doing pretty well either trolling with blades and spoons, or minnow imitations like trophy sticks and rapalas. Had one angler who caught 14 browns on the upper lake day before yesterday on trophy sticks, all his fish were between about 2lbs and 5lbs. Of course he’s hoping for the big boy, hopefully it’s just a matter of time for him!!!

Billfish: Informal name for any large spear-jawed saltwater game fish, such as sailfish, swordfish, and marlin, which are so named because, following a day’s outing in search of one of these magnificent creatures, the captain of a sport-fishing boat traditionally presents the angler who chartered her with an enormous bill in a short but often emotional dockside ceremony.