The cloudy skies that we’ve had hanging over us the past few weeks have parted, and anglers that ventured forth to practice their sport did so under sunny skies this past weekend. Dave Eichler, his son Evan and I traveled up the Methow Valley and spent the day fishing at Patterson Lake. The ice was 18 inches thick and there were plenty of hungry rainbow and perch hanging out underneath it. The trout were especially hungry, and anyone that enjoys a meal of quality rainbow would get their limits of them here in short order. Perch were a little more had to come by for us on this trip, but we still came home with over a dozen of them of 8 or 9 inches. If you plan on a trip to this lake or any others in our region, have a sharp auger. The ice is solid and thick. We also stocked up on mealworms from the local pet shore and both the rainbow and perch really loved them. We also have some of the jigs that Keith Roe from Winthrop ties for us, and these were very effective. Anglers looking for open water can find it at Rufus Woods, and for fly anglers, Rocky Ford.