Is there decent bass fishing on the Columbia down below Chelan? Heard there might be, but not sure.

Stu

Stu,

It is excellent below Chelan all the way past the wannapum pool. Crescent Bar, Rufus Woods, vantage, etc is awesome. In fact we should hold an event on Rufus Woods. Ken Kernan from Potholes Bass club said they had a club event there and he said it took some 25lbs to win the event.

Russ

Thanks, guys.  I know Kirk would never tell me to do the opposite of what he said - or would he?

Kirk: Which launch did you use?


If I get on the water there, I'll let you know how it goes.

Stu

The Columbia from Chief Joseph Dam and down is awesome.  Chelan Falls area is really good.  The upper stretch of Lake Pateros from the Okanagon river (which is awesome by itself) up to the Bridgeport is awesome.  I fished a 1 day tournament up there this summer and there was 2 19+lbs bags.  I grew up in Bridgeport, and I grew up fishing Rufus Woods.  In all of those years fishing it, I never caught a single smallmouth there.  I was talking to Rod Hammonds, who is a river guide up there and he said there is a decent population up towards Grand Coulee dam on the upper part of that stretch, but it isn't worth a dang down further.

Thanks again fellers. I hope to put your advice to good use.

Stu