Fishing with Uncle Bud … spring has sprung!
Written By: Bud Larsen
June 2, 2009
"If it feels right ... do it."
Alfred E. Newman - 1958
Where are all the infamous North Idaho trout you are always bragging about? Well, we have this thing called snow pack and run off going on right now so our rivers and streams are too high and clouded with sediment from the higher elevations. Given the length of our last winter I would estimate (gestimate) our streams would be drawn down enough and the water clarity back to normal by late June.
Now if you just cannot wait another couple of weeks for your stream caught shore lunch of pan-fried trout, then check out Smith, Sinclair, Brush, Solomon, and Miller lakes. With the exception of Miller, you can easily fish the other lakes from the docks and shoreline. All of these lakes are stocked every year (and sometimes twice) with nice fat 9" minimum sized triploid Rainbow's. If you're lucky, you may even hit some nice Cutthroat Trout from previous years stocking.
What works for these lakes? This time of the year calls for small worms, cheese bait, salmon eggs, and ... don't turn your nose up at using some maggots. (The red dyed maggots are a hot item.) The long winter this past year dampened the hatch of bugs so we're behind the power curve hence using artificial lures and flies are not going to be hot bait this time of the year.
Hey, yours truly cannot wait for the bugs to come out either as it means TOPWATER lure time! Nothing beats throwing a Tiny Torpedo right over a nesting bluegill or a small mouth bass ... nothing! So, spend some time in the back yard plugging at fence posts and bushes so you'll be ready for the top-water action.
Traveling sort of light as you visit our county? I recommend you pack what I call a "mini tackle box" ... fill a few old prescription bottles with lures (smaller is always better) and whatever else you have for favorite tackle and you can stuff them in your shirt pocket.
When you stop in to see Kirsten about some property, ask her about our lakes. She knows every inch of Boundary County and will give you direction to any of the lakes mentioned above.
Hope you will take the time to enjoy our fantastic fishing resource here in the Promised Land.
Tight lines to all ...
Uncle Bud