Where to fish while I am home on leave

[kbyers]

OK guys.  I have a tentative plan but figures that I would get some input from those that have been fishing a lot more than I have the last 10 months.  Along with my very understanding wife and son I will be fishing 12 of the 15 days that I have for leave

A lot of time will be spent fishing lakes, I hear the rivers are all high and fast.  We will be traveling in my new Ford superduty with my new to me camper and my 18' alumaweld sled.  I am set up to fish for pretty much anything.

This is all tentative but hopefully wont change too much. I leave Iraq on the 22nd and should be home around the 25th.  I will probably not do too much the first day and will pack the 2nd day and head to Spokane. Days 3,4, and 5 will probably be spent on Banks, day 6 on Rufus.  The evening of day 6 we will head to Omak lake and fish there on the 7th.  The 8th day will be a travel day so I can drop my boat off at 3 Rivers Marine for some fab work and then head to the coast.  We were thinking the Ocean Shores/Moclips area. Spend a couple days on the coast fishing the surf and relaxing.  Days 11 and 12 would be for travel back to the Tri Cities, but who can resist stopping in the gorge for some summer run steel?

I have fished Banks once before, last 4th of July, on the north end.  I will probably try both the north and south end this time.  Small mouth on the north end was definitely better than the walleye, but I hear that the walleye fishing is better on the south end.  I have never fished Rufus, but I have heard all the stories of the trout there.  Walleye too?  Never fished Omak, but again have heard stories.

Do you guys have any suggestions, advice or tips? I have been gone since August of last year so am kinda out of the loop.  Is/will clamming be open on the coast?  Any camp spots to avoid?  Thanks in advance for the help guys.  I promise I will post lots of pictures

[ICEMAN]

kbyers, here is a big WELCOME HOME! (When ya get here....     )  Thanks for your service too!
 
I don't have any ideas for you, been pretty busy this spring working on the family home, but I am sure some guys will chime in here and suggest a few options for you.
 
I look forward to hearing of your trip with your family, sounds like fun, and you really earned it!
 
Travel safe! Welcome home!

[unluckyjohn]

http://www.navylifepnw.com/ this link may help for camping on the coast. You said home on leave so I take it you are Military. (Retired Navy myself.)  Just down the road also in Pac beach is a state park that is very nice and just feet from the sand. sorry no help with the fishing. Enjoy your leave and thank you for your service.

[rasbo]

well not sure how old your child is but,lyons ferry is a good access point for some good fishing.the catfish are a great target for young ones to catch and good sized at that ..

[Ripper]

 Thank you for your service, I'm an ex military man myself. Navy. Anyway I will be at Banks Lake up by Coulee Playland the weekend of June 24,25,26,27, with my 12 yo son and my girlfriend. If you think you will be there during that time, pm me and I'll give you my number. I can show you where we did well on walleye last year and what worked for them.

[kbyers]

Thanks for all the replies and well wishes guys.  I am in the military, a Washington resident in the Oregon National Guard.  We are in Iraq right now doing convoy security.  We are supposed to be done over here the end of August.  Hopefully we will be home in time for some Skagit river pinks before 'nooks on the reach.

Ripper, I should be at Banks before you leave.  I would love to get together and trade spots.  Coulee Playland is on the north end, right?

[Ripper]

Yes it is, far North end. I've fished Rufus for triploids before also with some success. I'm going to try for walleye in Rufus this time. I talked to a fish and game guy who gave me some pointers. Walleye action can be good if you can keep the trips off your line.

[kbyers]

Flight briefing in 1 hour and then "all aboard the freedom flight".  Next stop Ali Al Salim

[ICEMAN]

Flight briefing in 1 hour and then "all aboard the freedom flight".  Next stop Ali Al Salim

Whoo whoooo! Have a safe flight!

[C-Money]

Enjoy your time home! Thanks for keeping us safe! Have you ever tried Moses Lake? The north end, launch at Connely Park and troll for walleye in 12' to 15' dragging crawler harnesses. Be safe!

[Camp David]

Can't assist with the current fishing locations, but thanks for keeping us free so we can enjoy for all the US has to offer.  Ex AF and Navy

[7mmfan]

If your heading to the coast, don't rule out stopping by the Wynoochee or the Satsop for some summer runs either. I was down there last week and, while we floated it, we hooked 5 steelhead in the Wynoochee. With the water as low as it is now it should be pretty wadeable.

[jagermiester]

I like your plan of going to Rufus I heard that they let all the fish out of the net pens due to a letting water out of Roosevelt like crazy. I hope you knock em dead catch and release and have a 50 fish day. Enjoy your leave and enjoy your family God be with you.

[Mossy]

From what I hear, rufus has exploded in the past couple weeks, you should be in them.  Thank you for your service.

[RadSav]

Clamming done for the year unless you go to Oregon.  Sorry I cannot be of more help than that.  God Bless you for your service and sacrific.  Will pray for your family and your safe return.