I went fishing with a couple friends last weekend at Brownlee. We stayed in the campground at Spring Rec. Site. The campground was really nice for a primative site. The fishing was good but not great. The crappie were noticably larger this year than in years past. They averaged 12 inces with many 14 inch fish in the mix. We caught 30-40 each day with catfish and bass mixed in using the same techniques. We trolled during the day using white frenzy medium divers and pearl colored deep diving shad raps. We caught the larger crappie more consistantly this way. The real good fishing was from 8:00 pm to as late as you wanted to fish. The only jig color that worked was red and white. They seemed to prefer tube jigs. We were fishing about 8 miles down reservoir from the spring rec site area. At night the fish were right on shore and very eager to bite.
There were lots of schools of small (5") crappies all over the reservoir. These really ought to be great for next year.
[signature]
Thanks for the report, I haven't been to that end this year, I been hitting the Dam end. Sounds like you did okay, I may have to make a day trip to get some of those big crappie.
I was suppose to be camping all week up at Brownlee, but I'm stuck right in the middle of home improvement project. I'm not used to using a shovel, a fishing pole is so much more natural.
[signature]
I know exactly what you mean. This was the first time I ever trolled for crappie. I was impressed!! It seemed to target larger crappie. If you get down there, the most concentrated areas of fish were 8.5 miles down reservoir from the Spring Recreation Site. There is a primitive boat ramp and portapot on the Oregon side there we fished from there up to a house on the Oregon side that has carpet for a lawn. I attached some pictures of some of the fun
Good Luck.
[signature]
That looks like the same spot we trolled in the past. Big crankbaits equal big crappie. You can always tell when you have a crappie on, it will hydroplane to the surface and ski as you reel it in. lol
[signature]
Very very nice. Bigger crappie than I've ever seen.
But, whats up with the ice fishing rods? Is that some type of crappie catching secret?
[signature]
Holy., so nice!!!
gee, why don't they stock some big crappies in the SE ID region? I think crappie here are much smaller and catch rate is low. ~~>_<~~
[signature]
The guy with the ice rod brought it just for fun. Last winter we went down to Lake Powell and had a contest on who could catch a striped bass on an ice rod. He won and so everywhere he goes he brings it along. I am personally hoping he breaks it one of these days so it will stop showing up. He even trolled with it!! He managed to bring a nice channel catfish to the boat with it. However he broke off at the boat. I attached a picture of the battle.
[signature]
Sounds like something my brother would do. He likes to fight fish on ultra ultra lights.[crazy] He caught a 5lb and 13lb cutbow one fall day on a 3' ice rod and 4lb line. LOL
[signature]
Thats pretty funny right there. Great pic.
So on another note, yesterday at Glendale there were a couple older guys fishing for bluegill and crappie. The one guy was using a "real" crappie rod, about 15 feet long! Didn't cast, just set the rod out-when he caught one he just lifted the pole straight to the sky and the fish came right to his hand.
[signature]
It was a lot of fun. I am waiting for my friend to break out his ice rod when we go tiger muskie fishing. That would really be a hoot.
Brownlee is a great time for anyone interested in a great warm water fish experience you need to check it out. You just never know what you are going to catch. A couple years ago I even hooked a nice 18-20 inch rainbow trout.
[signature]