Mark Martyn had posted an article for this site regarding thermoclines and for those of you who have any questions regarding them, I suggest having a read of it. Quickly, why are thermoclines important? If you have ever seen them while diving it would become immediately apparent. Where two different temps of water meet there is a very visible “barrier” that distorts vision and provides the “structure” that predators desire in open water. In the photo, the "haze" you see is the theremocline.

A thermocline can be easily found using any number of the many models of fishing sonars available on the market. However, Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish both have buoys that not only help you find the thermocline they also provide data on oxygen content, visibility and algae that a person who fishes these bodies of water would find useful. Individually, I'll cover the data on which ones we want to focus.

Temperature: First, you may notice that this data is provided using the metric system. This is not really an issue as what you are initially looking for is a rapid change in temperature of several degrees. If you look at past data for the summer months, you'll find this around the 10 to 15 meter mark. A quick check of trout fishing reports should show good results for folks who fished the lake with their gear at those depths. The other bit of information you'll need to know is what temps the fish you are after, prefer. For the cutthroat trout in Lake Washington, I've found they like it between 50 and 60 degrees F or 10 to 15 degrees C during the summer months. Now if you are after bass, the general rule of thumb is to fish above the thermocline. I'm not an expert on bass in these two lakes so you'll want to get with someone in the know about what temps trigger the spawn come spring time for each species and what temps they prefer to hang out in.

Dissolved Oxygen: This is a bit more critical if you are fishing for trout as spiny rays are more tolerant of low oxygen conditions. It is generally accepted that trout prefer oxygen levels of more than 6mg/l. Keep in mind that temperature plays a part in the oxygen requirements of a fish. A trout needs five to six times more oxygen when the water temperature is 24 degrees C (75 degrees F) as compared to when the water temperature is 4 degrees C (41 degrees F). The increased oxygen requirement at the warmer temps is the result of an elevated metabolic rate, which is common among all cold blooded creatures. So, what you end up looking for is a depth at which both conditions are satisfied.

Turbidity: What you need to know is that the smaller the reading the fewer particles that are suspended in the water. Tap water is normally at .3 to .1 NTUs as a point of reference. This reading doesn't normally come into play on Lake Washington, as it is typically very clear through much of the water column. In Lake Sammamish you will find that the turbidity readings are higher which has a negative effect on visibility and plays a part in color selection.

Chlorophyll: Not a reading in which I place a great deal of importance when fishing these two lakes. This is basically a way to measure the algae bloom of the lake. During spring and summer you'll find the readings increase as the algae use the extended daylight hours along with the nutrients pumped into the lakes by the feeder creeks, streams and rivers. Your plankton feeders, including kokanee, will be found in the vicinity of the larger concentrations with the predators found lurking below.

PH, Conductivity & Dissolved Oxygen Saturation: I haven't found a need to monitor these readings for fishing purposes. PH could have an effect if it would drop much below 7, indicating a change to an acidic environment.

Keep in mind that there is only one active buoy per lake and it only gathers data from the immediate vicinity. That being said, you can get a feel for the general water conditions and use the readings to help decide if you want to fish the lake and if so, develop a plan of attack.

As we frequently are getting questions on what we use on Rufus Woods from various folks, I thought to post a few pics with some explanations of our process. One thing about fishing is there is no "Magic Bullet for every fishing trip (unless your a redneck using A Dupont Sizzling Spinner), so everything you see and read here is just some of the things that have produced for us over the time we have been fishing the mighty RW. Please feel free to find humor in the pics of my attemps to Tie flies and jigs (I know I have to laugh at some on the concoctions I turn out LOL) And feel free to ask questions or send comments. This is in no way a tutorial, just sharing what we have used on the RW, so enjoy if you can.



The above pic shows some of the plastic baits we use (some of them are from our panfish lures). Over the years there have been hundreds, so only a few here. When we share our baits and techniques, we often hear, that's how I fish for bass, or panfish or something else. Yes, it's not your everyday Trout techniques, but then I've never been acused of staying within the box.



We use the tube-jig head in the 1/16 oz most of the time. There are times when we will go heaver when we wish to fish deeper than 20 feet or so, or in heaver current.








We will often use just a marabou jig with a chenille body, and our best producers have been white/pink and Black both with a bit of Crystal Flash.





For me it seems important to have the hackle wrap, as opposed to just having a chenille body.


Jig n minnow.




One thing that is really important when using the "Crooked Tail Minnow" is to put an in-line swivel 4-8 inches above the jig. Otherwise line twist will eat ya up.
I can't explain why (other than the size of natural baitfish) the small minnow immitations work better for us than larger (3-4") but they do.

The Paddle tail (?) seems to produce though not consistently for us, but we always have some in the box Just in case.




The B-2 Squid was a hot item for us last winter, and  trout have fallen for them this year but just not as hot. I'm hoping with the cooler water temps they will  be the ticket. The ones pictured are 2", but I have caught 10" trout on a 5" B-2, Go figure.
 If I'm working the B-2 through the weedbeds, I'll rig it with a weedless hook, but otherwise a bullet weight (inside the body) and regular hook, or a jig head (1/8oz or bigger) is how I usually rig them.






Another look at some of the plastics that have accounted for numerous RW tripps. On the various Craws I have used, I would have to pinch the claws off  the tiny craws  and the tails off the larger ones to get bites.


The hardware we use most are the ones below. We have caught lots of the tripps on various collors, but the Perch or Firetiger colors for the Crocodiles, and Firetiger, Blue/silver, and Green/silver in the Kastmasters have been the steady producing colors. In the Super RoosterTails, the dark colors have been better for me, although others have better luck with different colors.



When I go weedless with the B-2 Squids these are what I use, although I have tried other methods of hooking the plastics Basser style, I'm more comfortable with this method.


And lastly but not to be left out. The famed Pellet Fly.  Way back when I first started looking at WL, I read reports by "Outdoor Chris", and his Pellet Fly. I actually got to witness him and his wife flyfishing with his fly at RW, and it was unreal the success they were having. THEN Big-D hit the scene with his Version of the Pellet fly. I have used Big-D's flies with success, and have since tied some of my own. At times they are so hot you have to hunker down in the boat to tie one of them on. LOL   I have even fished for and caught yellow perch on the things, not to mention Bluegill. These pictured have been chewed on so don't have the crisp clean lines anymore. Also what box would be complete without a "Barbie" version of the pellet fly. LOL. So tie up a few to have in your box when you go to RW. When I don't want to use them with my Fly outfit and am using the spinning outfit, I'll just clip a small split shot about 8-12 inches on my line above the fly.



One thing I don't have a pic of that shoud be in every tackle box is the bullet weight in front of a "Wiggle Fin trailing a wooly Bugger style fly for trolling. Joe from  Lake Chelan Adventures & Rufus Woods Fishing Guide  Showed me this set up, and he has boated loads of trout with the set up. I'm working on a casting version of this, and have great expectations for it.

I hope this answers some of the questions out there, and as I said, Please feel free to shoot any comments or questions you may have. If any of this info helps in any way to put a fish on the line, then it was worth the trouble (considerable for me-first timers syndrom).
Here wishing all of you good luck and enjoyment in our great outdoors.

We had another great BBQ this year and in addition, first time ever, a Fishing Derby. Check out the video for all the fun. Hope to see you at next year's event!