The fishing above Ice Harbor has been slow for over a week. 6 trips and picked up 3 small fish. Saw a grand total of 7 others caught and 4 of those were within 45 minutes and 50 feet of each other.

Pasco.... I'm going to be there the night of the 17th any other sugestions as to where they might be hidding

This time of year the fishing can be good but never really "hot". The bite seems to switch on and off by the day and might only last for an hour or two. You just never know.

The Snake at the Lyons Ferry Fish Hatchery, the mouth of the Tucannon, or above Lower Monumental Dam might be ok. I think the Columbia just west of Wallula Junction was mentioned in the other thread. Very few people fish it in December and January but the fish have to be there since they are still lower in the pool just above McNary. I might try there myself.

Thanks Pasco....i'll be lookin to see how you do

Its starting to pick back up above Ice Harbor. The fish counter saw 6 yesterday late morning. Probably doesn't count wild fish released and people who had already left with fish. Looked to be about the same thing happing today. I released a 36" wild buck but couldn't find a keeper.

Nice fish Pasco, Hope its still good by the time I get there

Didn't go myself today but received a report. Mud with a foot of viability. Personally I have never seen it that thick and don't understand why it is happening now. Will probably go take a look tomorrow.

I heard the same thing from a friend who went today. I'm bummed to see it finally come true... I had expected it to get ugly a week ago and when it was still good through this week I thought we had dodged a bullet.

I sure hope it clears up soon; the fish are definitely there.

The good news is that McNary has turned back on from a couple of reports I got today. It's still got a bit of color but is much improved from last week.

I fished below Ice harbor today (1/14), the water looked terrible with less than 12" vis (I'd say 6" tops). We made a few passes anyway, but it was pretty bad. I would guess all this mud is headed for McNary--if it's not already there. Anybody know how long it may take to clear?

A report on another board says McNary is starting to color up. No clue how bad things will get. I hope it clears up in a few days.

Looks like I need to postpone my trip...Lets hope it clears soon

Thanks everyone for all the info

If you're headed this way for work, definitely bring the gear anyway... things might clear up by the weekend. If the flows come down a bit Ringold will still fish, too.

Ringold will fish and the Snake might clear before the McNary pool. Ringold is on the free flowing stretch of the Big C so is a drift gear and spinner fishery. Guess floats would work too but we never did it back in the day when I fished there.

Ringold will definitely be clear, but unfortunately the water level there has been fluctuating and very high the past week. Probably making a bunch of electricity at the dams due to the cold... whatever the reason, it's at a level where shore fishing it would be a major pain. Still doable, but you would need to fish at the canal rather than the creek, not my favorite.

The Snake should definitely be improving as time passes, since the Palouse has dropped all the way down to ~500 cfs. But who knows how long it will take for the clean water to get this far down. The good news is that you can just keep heading upriver as far as needed. I would bet the shore fishing at Lyon's Ferry should be dynamite right now.

Unfortunately no fishing for me this coming weekend. But the next weekend watch out, fish!

Thanks guys...I fished the cowlitz yesterday and got skunked..had some fun though.
I'm headed your way for sure next weekend. I'll bring the gear so keep me posted on whats happening
I'm stilllookin to catch that first steelie...yahoo hope I do it next weekend