We had a birthday party in Vancouver over the weekend, so I was able to sneak out and fish for a bit. I arrived at the lake a little before 5am. No one else fishing. I was told by several locals from my trip early in the year, fishing in the late summer at Ashes is poor. I beg to differ. I was using a 5 inch green pumpkin senko with some craw scent weightless. The temp outside was a balmy 61 degrees, not sure of the water temp, but the water felt very warm. I consistently caught fish after fish from my first cast until about 8am. My biggest pushed 2.5. I lost 3 that were even bigger, I never saw the fish. I did catch several using a 1/8 oz jig head wacky rigged. When the bite slowed, I tried crankbaits, spinnerbaits, lizards carolina rigged, tubes..jigs..the best bait of the day was the 5 inch senko green pumpkin color. I decided to pack it up a little before 11am.

The water level down at Beacon Rock was way to high for bank fishing, the Park Ranger advised that I drive down to Ashes. I have heard some good stories about this lake, but have always overlooked it whenever I drove by it. It was very sunny but very windy. Had to look like 80 degress, but really felt like 50 with the wind chill...After a small walk to the spillway, there were about 5 anglers along the rocky bank. After a quick creel/bucket check, there were some nice fish that were caught. I was tossing out a olive green tube jig with about 1/4 oz bullet weight. I was there about 2 hours and caught a small dink. The guys next to me and 2 guys across the spillway were catching a few here and there and finally caught there limit. If you are going to try this spot, the further right side is the place to fish, it totally made a difference. I finally was getting some nice action and felt a pull on my line that I knew was a bruiser. After a short battle on my light line I finally got the fish in. It stretched close to 17 inches. The guys were in shock that I released it, but I politely responded, "That's how I roll." I ended up catching another 16.5 and 4 over 14. The ticket was a slow side retrieve and pause. Also a secret scent that I forgot in my backpack helped tremendously. I am also mentioning the WDFW agents hopefully ticketing some guys who kept 3 fish well over the slot limit.. (: