Early Season Outing 2019

Early Season Outing April 5-7, 2019

Where: Sun Lakes Region with opportunity to fish Lake Lenore, Dry Falls Lake or Rocky Ford Creek

When: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, April 5-7, 2019

This year's event is State wide. All TU chapters in Washington have been invited.

Safety First!

1. All boats or floating devices used in the event and their operators will comply with all of the requirements of federal, state, and local law concerning boating safety, including requirements concerning the wearing of life jackets/personal flotation devices by each person on board.

2. Alcohol may not be consumed during the event.

3. This may not be a good event for young children due to potential cold weather and water.

4. Each participant must sign Trout Unlimited's Liability Waiver form for the event.

Camping is available at Sun Lakes State Park or the Park Resort. Call 509-632-5291 for reservations at the resort. Off season rates apply. You can visit their web site at sunlakesparkresort.com.

If you want to fish Lake Lenore go to the north most parking lot at the very northern most point of Lake Lenore. There is a very popular place to fish Lake Lenore just below this parking lot. Those preferring to fish Dry Falls or Rocky Ford should proceed directly to those areas.

Fishing can be very good at this time of year but the weather is unpredictable. Plan for it to be cold and windy. Have plenty of warm clothes including “long johns” and heavy socks. I would not recommend this outing for minors because of the expected cold water and temperature conditions.

Lake Lenore can be fished from shore, wadding or floating devices (boats, pontoons or float tubes). Although folks do it, it is not easy to launch a pontoon from the north end of Lake Lenore. I recommend wadding. We will likely have a lot of company on a Saturday but there can also be lots of fish. Plan to use chironomids in 10-16 sizes. I have had best luck with black and dark green patterns.

Dry Falls can also be crowded on early season weekends. Dry Falls cannot be wadded or fished from shore. You must have a pontoon or float tube. The primitive dirt road into Dry Falls can also be difficult. Unless you are familiar with Dry Falls, plan to fish Lake Lenore.

Rocky Ford is a nearer option for anyone coming just for the day. Proceed to Soap Lake and take Hwy 17 south approximately four miles to Trout Lodge Road. Follow the dirt road about two miles to the creek. There are several parking areas along the creek. Rocky Ford cannot be wadded. The area is very “swampy”. You need waders or rubber boots to approach the water but it is illegal and dangerous to attempt to wade. There are lots of big fish with a preference for small flies.

If you plan to attend, please call me and leave your contact information in the event of a change to the schedule. Tim Gavin 509-966-7628 or email tim@dubelyoo.com

Sun Lakes State Park is located two and one-half hours northeast of Yakima. Follow major highways to Ephrata and then to Soap Lake. From Soap Lake take Hwy 17 north for approximately 11 miles to the parking lot at the north end of Lake Lenore referenced above. The State Park is approximately 17 miles north of Soap Lake. The resort is on the right as you drive into the State Park. The office is located near the boat launch area at Park Lake.