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East has been very good and consistent for nice browns the last few times I have been up there. Compared to last year, I would say the average size is up considerably from around 15-16 in. to over 20 inches......at least the ones I am catching. As my friends like to say, I have an unfair advantage because I have lived here for over 20 years and guided on the lake as well. That being said, I have been working an area that has always been productive for me and this summer is no exception. It is pretty much a numbers game with lots of browns hitting and so if you wade through enough of them, you do occasionally get a good one.

Back in May, I was lucky enough to catch my second brown trout over 10 LB. from East when I hit a killer 31 in. hookjaw that weighed in at 11 LB. 4 oz.. FYI, the lake record is a 22 LB.+ hen brown that was caught back in 1983 so it is a lake that can kick out some big ones. One of my friends has 16.5 and 15.5 LB. hookjaws and even though it has been a bit of a drought for big browns the last few years, they are in there!

My last outing was just a few hours in the morning this past week but it was productive and fun. Besides a few kokanee guys, I had the run pretty much to myself. I was running two lures most of the time with one at a slower speed of 2.4 mph and the other pretty fast at over 3 mph. They were both producing well. I caught and released at least 25 browns with many over 3 LB. and the best of the morning a little over 4 LB. As I have stated before, this time of the year it is a depth control game and working the thermocline is pretty much a sure thing on producing fish. The surface temps have been consistent around 65 degrees in the early morning when I first get on.

I was hoping to get over to Wickiup in the afternoon but had to get back to deal with a trailer issue before we took off for California this coming week. I will be out again soon so check back for more reports. Look for another trophy trout profile next week. A father son Brownbagger team will be featured and that is all I will tell for now.

Screamin’ Drags,
Rick