The water temperature at Rufus Woods has dropped and the triploid rainbow bite has really improved. The action may vary from day to day but limits are almost a certainty now. The fairly recent releases of over 20,000 triploids weighing from a pound to 2 pounds are showing up above Chief Joseph Dam, and anglers are catching very good numbers of larger fish, too. I talked to the Colville Tribal fish checker the other day and he said that the fishing can really be hot at the new access above the dam, below the tower and for trollers working the can line. Brandts Landing is another spot that is producing very good catches. Although there are big numbers of 1- and 2-pound fish, there are plenty of 3- to 5-pounders mixed in the catches. Regular rainbow of 20 inches or more are also being caught. I want to remind anglers that if you use bait you are done after catching two fish, which is the limit on Rufus Woods. I would encourage anglers to try fishing with jigs, flies and lures with single barbless hooks. This way you can release fish without harming them. Stiff fines will be imposed on anglers caught releasing fish while using bait.