Post by: bassquatch on July 29, 2018, 05:32:42 PM
I have to catch a keeper bass (1 pound or better using Major League Fishing rules) in all 39 counties of Washington State!
I started off by checking off all of the counties I have already caught numerous keeper bass in over the years and that left me with 22 counties to complete...I'm now down to 8 :IBCOOL:
It's an amazing way to see the State and has been an absolute blast! Here's a video link if anyone wants to follow along :tup:
Post by: full choke on July 29, 2018, 06:10:18 PM
Best of luck completing your quest!
Post by: chester on July 29, 2018, 06:27:42 PM
Post by: bassquatch on July 29, 2018, 07:10:00 PM
Yakima (fished I-82 Ponds 4 & 6 once after work and nothing? Right after the spawn though)
Klickitat(messed up and fished Benton twice so I have to go back)
Skamania (never fished it)
Clark (never fished it)
Wahkiakum (only one place I've found possible for bass...never fished it)
Clallam (never fished it)
Island (lost the fish that would count on Cranberry in the State Park, dinks everywhere else so far)
Making another multi-county run this weekend :tup:
Post by: Dan-o on July 29, 2018, 07:53:55 PM
Keep us posted.
Post by: Whitpirate on July 29, 2018, 07:57:34 PM
Post by: shootem on July 29, 2018, 08:51:31 PM
Post by: bassquatch on July 30, 2018, 07:17:31 AM
Sounds like work! Good luck though and have fun.
Labor of love as they say :chuckle:
Post by: WAcoueshunter on July 30, 2018, 08:25:07 AM
Post by: bassquatch on August 06, 2018, 09:17:48 AM
Douglas (fished it once, hit dinks and got blown all over in the kayak)
Yakima (fished I-82 Ponds 4 & 6 and Myron Lake...lost the one that counted)
Klickitat (messed up and fished Benton twice so I have to go back)
Wahkiakum (Fished and missed)
Clallam (never fished it)
Island (lost the fish that would count on Cranberry in the State Park, dinks everywhere else so far)
Making another multi-county run this weekend...again :tup:
Post by: bearpaw on August 06, 2018, 10:11:05 AM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 06, 2018, 10:14:08 AM
Post by: cbond3318 on August 06, 2018, 10:15:13 AM
Post by: SeaRun1 on August 06, 2018, 11:54:36 AM
That Wahkiakum bass is going to be tough. What about Elochoman Slough?
SR1
Post by: SteelheadDC on August 06, 2018, 12:42:15 PM
Post by: Jake Dogfish on August 06, 2018, 01:28:12 PM
Isn’t Banks also in Douglas County on the north side? I cannot remember which lake you logged for Grant but I am also sure there are other bass places in Douglas.
That Wahkiakum bass is going to be tough. What about Elochoman Slough?
SR1
Yes wahkiakum looks tough.
There is some awesome bass fishing in Klickitat county, I caught my personal biggest there.
Great challenge! My bucket list is to catch all the freshwater fish in Washington. Long way to go!
Post by: HookedOnQuack on August 06, 2018, 06:32:34 PM
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 06, 2018, 07:12:58 PM
Isn’t Banks also in Douglas County on the north side? I cannot remember which lake you logged for Grant but I am also sure there are other bass places in Douglas.
That Wahkiakum bass is going to be tough. What about Elochoman Slough?
SR1
Yes wahkiakum looks tough.
There is some awesome bass fishing in Klickitat county, I caught my personal biggest there.
Great challenge! My bucket list is to catch all the freshwater fish in Washington. Long way to go!
The burbot might be a PITA :chuckle:
Post by: bassquatch on August 06, 2018, 08:16:08 PM
Lake Leland in Clallam... :tup:
Leland is listed as Jefferson County.
I appreciate the tips! I leave again Thursday for a redo and a couple others East. Been a lot of running but it combines my two favorite things..driving and bass fishing :tup:
Post by: JimmyHoffa on August 06, 2018, 08:17:42 PM
Lake Leland in Clallam... :tup:It's in Jefferson. For Clallam, Lake Ozette is supposed to be the big bass lake. All the ones I've heard about are a guy that knows a guy that catches them, though. It's such a big lake, you could probably spend a week checking out spots. Too bad it's surrounded by park, be pretty cool to be bass fishing and then drop an elk or bear when they are walking the shore.
Post by: bassquatch on August 07, 2018, 05:17:40 AM
If I was doing this over a couple years then I would just go spend my vacation in each county. I think Ozette is a good gamble just for the "cold, clear water" aspect...sounds very familiar :chuckle:
Post by: Westsideelkchaser on August 08, 2018, 07:46:18 PM
Post by: bassquatch on August 14, 2018, 04:39:31 PM
I noticed this mistake while I was checking boundaries for Wahkiakum County...it sparked my interest so I reviewed all of my stops on the rivers and discovered my mistake on Columbia County. I also came close to screwing up Walla Walla County, but fortunately I jumped to the correct side before catching my fish there! Being a man of my word (not that anyone else would give a rip) I had to return and actually complete Columbia County correctly.
It was 105 degrees when I launched. By the time I boated the 1.1 pound squeeker smallie about 4 hours later, it was 112 degrees!! :yike:
It was so hot at the end that my GoPro would only run for about 3-5 minutes at a time before shutting off and the camera itself was hot to the touch! It didn't record the official catch, (see pic) or the two more I caught and the one I lost shortly after....I had to restart it multiple times and once again just to catch the run back to the launch. It also didn't record my bank fishing experience on Lake Rowland in Klickitat County the following morning??! Maybe time to replace that one?
Anyways, I doubled back to Klickitat County (apprx 4.5 hours) after leaving Columbia County and accidentally got routed into Oregon?! Where I had to sit through a stupid vessel inspection :bash: before returning to the Washington side! I was so focused on getting to my overnight destination before they closed that I nearly ran my truck out of gas along the way! I found a gas station on the WA side with 17 miles to spare :yike: Then, Friday morning, I woke up to 17mph winds that would build throughout the morning to 35mph :bash: :bash:
Forces were aligning against me it seemed. I could not fish effectively! The frustration monster started eating at me. My work phone never stopped. I was getting tunnel vision on bait selection, catching nothing but 0.5-0.8 pound bass and I found a crack in my boat trailer while launching at Maryhill State Park Friday! :yike: :bash:
I finally snapped! With the thoughts of work piling up back home, the relentless wind, vessel and trailer issues, the oppressive heat, my own narrowing brain, access issues due to boat selection and a few other things, I pulled the plug and headed home fairly early Friday. I was disgusted and frustrated at the thought of having to drive 4-5 hours back to Klickitat County for a FOURTH attempt and that just added to everything! :DOH:
I hit the brakes hard!! On the way home, I had plenty of time to process everything, I realized I was only upset with myself. This adventure is supposed to be fun! Not a race but a quest. Not a competition but an accomplishment. I was upset and frustrated with myself, period. I forgot to "fish" and began to "pound"! Repeating processes that had worked elsewhere, expecting the same results everywhere. Sometimes that works... it's when it doesn't that you need to keep your head in the game and expand your approach! I was frustrated by the amount of techniques and areas I left on the table. I decided it was time to take a break for a couple weeks and decompress. Fortunately, this decision was made far easier on the way home, when the transmission on my truck started leaking!! :bash: :yike: 3,000 miles in 4 weeks took it's toll I guess :dunno:
Not a good trip overall from a 'luck' standpoint, but a blessing in disguise I believe?! Getting repairs done will leave me no option but down time. Down time will rejuvenate me, and put me into September with falling temps, both ambient and water, which should only improve the fishing :tup:
It also may result in a new truck?! Which after 10 years in a one ton, going back to a half ton will be like driving a cloud around (a one ton with overload springs will test your kidneys even on a "smooth" road).
So that's where it stands....I'll be back out there but my foot will be off the accelerator! I intend to slow down and thoroughly enjoy the last six counties :tup: I promise :chuckle:
Post by: SeaRun1 on August 14, 2018, 04:44:31 PM
Good luck finishing the Counties up.
SR1
Post by: Special T on August 14, 2018, 05:30:29 PM
Post by: SeaRun1 on August 14, 2018, 07:40:46 PM
A good king season has swayed me back from the dark side.
SR1
Post by: RB on August 14, 2018, 08:27:30 PM
Lake Leland in Clallam... :tup:It's in Jefferson. For Clallam, Lake Ozette is supposed to be the big bass lake. All the ones I've heard about are a guy that knows a guy that catches them, though. It's such a big lake, you could probably spend a week checking out spots. Too bad it's surrounded by park, be pretty cool to be bass fishing and then drop an elk or bear when they are walking the shore.
Doesn't Lake Sutherland have Bass?
Post by: JimmyHoffa on August 14, 2018, 09:05:19 PM
Post by: lokidog on August 14, 2018, 09:39:39 PM
Post by: bassquatch on August 15, 2018, 04:47:55 AM
Thanks Special T! :tup:
lokidog: PM sent :peep:
My reasoning for Ozette is it's the closest to the coast so I can talk my wife into coming along. Also it just looks amazing!
Post by: fishngamereaper on August 15, 2018, 06:18:35 AM
Post by: bassquatch on August 15, 2018, 08:26:31 AM
I would hit Beaver Lake if your going all the way out to Ozette. Right next to Hwy 113 aka Burnt Mnt road. You wont regret it.
On the list but it looks like a small boat or kayak lake?? I have to choose before I leave and if I'm going to tow it's Ozette....small boats and that was going to be my target lake :tup:
Post by: bassquatch on August 20, 2018, 06:08:52 PM
May try Island after work this week and Clallam this weekend? Will gladly sit out Labor Day weekend and then pick em off one by one after :tup:
Post by: Brushcrawler on August 20, 2018, 07:33:07 PM
Post by: bassquatch on September 01, 2018, 07:23:00 PM
Totally unexpected but I will take it! 5 counties left.....
Post by: X-Force on September 01, 2018, 09:05:27 PM
Post by: Dan-o on September 01, 2018, 09:26:08 PM
Fun to tag along.
Post by: bassquatch on September 03, 2018, 12:22:16 PM
Very thankful the driver was fine and glad no one else (including myself) was involved! The tanker driver and I probably warned another 20 motorists with our flashlights...4-5 of those narrowly missed the truck and debris! Lots of hard braking and squealing tires at 5am!
As for the 'fishing'...well, if you're only going to catch ONE :chuckle: :IBCOOL:
Post by: bassquatch on September 04, 2018, 09:51:59 AM
Cool thread
:tup:
Fun to tag along.
Thank you! :tup:
Post by: bearpaw on September 04, 2018, 07:39:01 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on September 04, 2018, 07:55:54 PM
Post by: bassquatch on September 09, 2018, 10:29:57 AM
Since I was going to be that far south I threw the jon boat in the bed (propped it up with two automotive ramps so it wouldn't hit the front of the RT). After I dropped off the RT, I continued south, my target...Wahkiakium County :tup:
Here's what happened next :IBCOOL:
Post by: bassquatch on September 09, 2018, 01:21:59 PM
Here's that one...including some of the final footage from the GoPro Hero I'm going to back over when all this is done! :bash:
Oh well....at least I'm done with Klickitat and that friggin' WIND! :tup:
Post by: Dan-o on September 09, 2018, 03:16:38 PM
Post by: Lucky1 on September 09, 2018, 03:22:00 PM
Post by: bassquatch on September 09, 2018, 05:39:43 PM
Editing Yakima County now :IBCOOL:
Post by: WAcoueshunter on September 10, 2018, 01:14:43 PM
Thanks! :tup:
Editing Yakima County now :IBCOOL:
Looking forward to it!
This has been an awesome thread. Great idea to start, and the footage as you hunt for fish in the last few counties has been awesome. Has been great to tag along. :tup:
Post by: bassquatch on September 10, 2018, 04:50:55 PM
Here is Yakima County :IBCOOL:
Post by: 10Key on September 10, 2018, 08:13:28 PM
Post by: bearpaw on September 10, 2018, 11:31:15 PM
Has anyone else done this before that you know of?
Post by: SeaRun1 on September 11, 2018, 07:05:58 AM
SR1
Post by: Gobble Doc on September 11, 2018, 07:38:31 AM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: bassquatch on September 11, 2018, 06:16:46 PM
Awesome, just awesome...those largies sure were grouped up. I've driven by that lake at least 125 times...always wondered. Great job on the vids
Thank you sir! :salute:
I've enjoyed following this. Good luck on the last one!
Has anyone else done this before that you know of?
The older gentleman that was a big inspiration for this quest, Bob Johansen from NorthwestFishingReports.com, is the only one I know of that came close? He has fished all over Washington and I honestly thought he had fished all 39 but he emailed me a while back and said he had fished 26 Counties and he keeps meticulous records! He can tell you what he caught, when he caught it and how on a lake he fished 30 years ago! :yike: :tup:
Yep I have been enjoying following this as well. It has been a unique challenge for sure. Good luck with number 39.
SR1
Nice work!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thank you all :tup:
Post by: bassquatch on September 19, 2018, 08:46:27 AM
I cannot understand how Skagit and Snohomish Counties can be as good as they are and Island County be so devoid of a decent bass fishery?? :dunno:
I fished and checked Goss Lake off the list on Tuesday, won't be back to that one. Excellent for trout though! I drug my kayak back into "Lake" Pondilla and only saw two fish, one I hooked, but it was probably a 10 incher? The other maybe went 6...INCHES! Won't be back there either. Currently I feel Cranberry Lake in the State Park and Deer Lake are the two "best" options....and that's not saying much. :tung:
The bees in the pads on Cranberry were so thick it was crazy! A couple tried going up my pant leg as I sat in my kayak! I may revisit that one when it's raining? :chuckle:
I think Deer Lake holds a few good fish and I may just pound that one until I figure it out and or something happens? My last trip there yielded one little four incher. Good looking stuff though! :tup:
I just wish these two lakes weren't at the complete opposite ends of the island from each other!! It seems like I have to choose one or the other? Deer is either 90 minutes including a ferry ride/(charge), or two hours driving around. Cranberry is just under an hour drive, but inside the State Park that seems to make its own rules weekly??
Gonna be a bugger, glad I saved this one for last :chuckle:
Post by: bearpaw on September 23, 2018, 01:47:25 AM
Post by: bassquatch on October 07, 2018, 06:37:17 AM
I got a couple cranking a drop off yesterday but the biggest only went 0.7 pounds. I may hit it again next Spring just to make the catch "official" by breaking the pound mark but as far as I'm concerned :IBCOOL:
Was a great adventure! So many new areas discovered!! The Challenge absolutely served its purpose :)
Thanks for all the encouragement and support along the way, hope folks enjoyed tagging along! :tup:
Post by: MtnMuley on October 07, 2018, 07:05:22 AM
Post by: SeaRun1 on October 07, 2018, 08:17:35 AM
Don’t give up!
SR1
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on October 07, 2018, 10:05:38 AM
Post by: bearpaw on October 07, 2018, 10:42:58 AM
Post by: bassquatch on October 07, 2018, 05:49:59 PM
You've came to far to let Island County go. :chuckle:
Meh, always next Spring.
Someone from Island needs to chime in with a farmers pond or ? Whidbey is an awfully big island to not have someone put some bass in their pond.
Don’t give up!
SR1
Needs to be public water!
I know you fished Cranberry. Did you try Campbell lake?
Campbell is Skagit. That's the puzzling thing? Skagit rocks for bass fishing...you would think it wouldn't fall off so far on the Island :dunno:
IMO this was an incredible adventure, congrats on being so successful in only one season. :hello:
Thank you sir! It truly was awesome! So many cool things happened and I can't wait to go back and visit a lot of the areas next season :tup:
Post by: bassquatch on October 07, 2018, 05:53:03 PM
Besides, next April, if a decent bass lives in Deer or Campbell, I will get my revenge :tup: Thanks again everyone!
WDFW is doing a photo/video contest...vids must be one minute or less...I submitted the following:
Post by: Dan-o on October 07, 2018, 06:00:25 PM
What a great adventure on your part.
Thank you for sharing.
:tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup:
Post by: Timberstalker on October 07, 2018, 06:20:52 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on October 07, 2018, 07:19:34 PM
You've came to far to let Island County go. :chuckle:
Meh, always next Spring.Someone from Island needs to chime in with a farmers pond or ? Whidbey is an awfully big island to not have someone put some bass in their pond.
Don’t give up!
SR1
Needs to be public water!I know you fished Cranberry. Did you try Campbell lake?
Campbell is Skagit. That's the puzzling thing? Skagit rocks for bass fishing...you would think it wouldn't fall off so far on the Island :dunno:
Damn🤬, I should have remembered that.🤯
Post by: bassquatch on October 08, 2018, 07:20:34 PM
Post by: Birdguy on October 09, 2018, 08:44:12 PM
Post by: nwwanderer on October 10, 2018, 10:42:58 AM
Post by: singleshot12 on October 10, 2018, 11:06:44 AM
Quote:
Campbell is Skagit. That's the puzzling thing? Skagit rocks for bass fishing...you would think it wouldn't fall off so far on the Island :dunno:
Maybe some of the lakes in Island county have a self sustaining trout population in them and the islanders would prefere to catch trout over bass. A couple of lakes come to mind on the main land that used to have self sustaining native cutthroat in them until some bucket bio dumped some bass into them and wiped them out. Just sayin
Post by: The Marquis on October 10, 2018, 11:49:42 AM
Excellent!! If you do not win the WDFW contest something is amiss.
Maybe... there is a distinct lack of children in the video.
Throw some random pictures of children fishing in there and resubmit. You'll win for sure.
Post by: bassquatch on October 11, 2018, 10:53:09 AM
This really has been a fun thread! Only ever caught one bass in my life and it was little but this seemed like a great time! Thanks for taking us along, great little video too. Hope you hear something from it :tup:. Brought up a pretty fun conversation with my son about what would be fun to do, very cool, and thanks again!
That's awesome! :tup:
Quote:
Campbell is Skagit. That's the puzzling thing? Skagit rocks for bass fishing...you would think it wouldn't fall off so far on the Island :dunno:
Maybe some of the lakes in Island county have a self sustaining trout population in them and the islanders would prefere to catch trout over bass. A couple of lakes come to mind on the main land that used to have self sustaining native cutthroat in them until some bucket bio dumped some bass into them and wiped them out. Just sayin
Not a problem, just an observation. Plenty of lakes in this State where bass and trout coexist just fine. I imagine if there was a specific strain of trout other than the normal run of the mill planted rainbows it would and should be protected.
Excellent!! If you do not win the WDFW contest something is amiss.
Maybe... there is a distinct lack of children in the video.
Throw some random pictures of children fishing in there and resubmit. You'll win for sure.
Don't have any, don't know any and I completed the challenge solo.
It looks like it's not actually a "contest" as my WDFW email eluded to, rather just an opportunity to share adventures.