Kettle Falls Picnic: 6/16-20

Fishing was slow. Big swings in the weather combined with rising water levels the last several weeks made fishing tough during our annual picnic weekend at Kettle Falls. Very few club members fished on Thursday due to thunderstorms and gusty winds. On Friday, we had bright blue skies and light winds, and fishing was tough. A few boats picked up 5 to 10 walleyes, but most of us managed just a few fish. Rain and wind arrived on Saturday. Fortunately, we had a 3 or 4 hour break in the weather during our picnic before rain/wind spoiled our plans for an evening bonfire. The weather Sunday was perfect! Fishing also improved. Lots of small walleyes were caught (12-16 inches) as well as a few rainbow trout.

More info for club members: Friday - Most of us fished in the Kettle River or at the mouth of the Colville River. Doug N and Lynn L found 11 keepers up the Kettle fishing in 20-25 feet in the channel adjacent to weed beds. Bill J and Tom/Dianne F also had success in the Kettle. Mark and Linda M caught a 5.5 pound pike along with a couple small walleyes. Doug S and Don/Sharon B caught fish at the mouth of the Colville as well as Ken/Sharon V.

Sunday - Winds died down Sunday morning. Greg K and Bruce W went 12 miles south of Kettle Falls to the "Chalk Grade" and fished mud lines. They kept 18 small walleyes (12-16 inches), 4 trout (20 inches), and a 12 inch perch. Allan/Linda W, Jim K, Lyle/Eve P, John/Shirley C also went to the Chalk Grade and caught walleyes and a few trout. Most of the fish were taken in 35 to 60 feet of water with spinners behind bottom bouncers. The bite was the best before 930 AM. Fish went deep as the mud dispersed.