When I opened my Facebook Page a photo popped up showing what I was doing this time last year. The photo was of my brother Rick from a trip that he, Steve Goodfellow, and I made to Rufus Woods. Rick was holding a nice triploid. One of several he landed that day. In addition to limits of triploid rainbow we also landed some nice walleye. We were trolling downstream below the uppermost net pens with bottom bouncers and spinners baited with nightcrawlers. I like to fish this method because we can get a mixed bad of trout and walleye. Anglers have been fishing Rufus Woods all summer, but fall is by far the most popular time to fish up there. Most anglers will continue to launch at Seatons Grove and make the approximate eight mile run down to the pens. Those who have purchased the $80.00 Colville Tribal Access Permit and paid a $10.00 launch fee can use the new ramp at the second net pen. One of the things that I want to try this year is jigging. I know the trout will hit jigs and I may increase my walleye catch with this method. Can’t wait to get up there and try it.
Big triploid rainbow like the one I landed on Rufus Woods last season is what attracts so many anglers to the reservoir in the fall and winter.