Waldo Success Story

[Jack.of.all.trouts]

Long time lurker on this forum, first time posting- I have to give credit where credit is due…

Big thank you @Troutski for the posts of years past giving me a glimpse of what Waldo Lake could produce. I owe you big time! Thank you for sparking my curiosity.

I took his advice, fished the SW quadrant of the lake around the island and had smashing success all day (10/23/2025). Most fish were caught on a sweep style fly line with a baitfish imitation booby fly (traffic light). My 4yo was smiling ear to ear seeing the giant schools of Kokanee and brook trout all over. A day I won’t forget about anytime soon!

Get out there!

 

[Snopro]

Wow! Thanks for the report and pics. Love the spawning colors.

 

[Jack.of.all.trouts]

Folks were asking about Kokanee populations in previous posts so I figure I’d drop this photo as an update. I think the Kokanee are doing just fine

 

[Davpot]

Wonderful pics Jack! A trip you won’t soon forget and the kids too! I assume you were using a sinking line? Any top water action?
Thanks for sharing!!
Davpot

 

[Jack.of.all.trouts]

Wonderful pics Jack! A trip you won’t soon forget and the kids too! I assume you were using a sinking line? Any top water action?
Thanks for sharing!!
Davpot

Thank you! The only top water action I saw happening was the Kokanee chasing each other out of the water, which was pretty cool.

As fly line goes, I was using RIO CleanSweep on a 9’ 5wt rod. It’s a multi density sinking line that brings your flies down like a big “U” shape. The fish in 0-10’ of water were spooked with even the softest of presentations but I found great success using that line to “sweep” through the water column while keeping the boat in about 25’ of water and just fan casting. Even in 30’+ of water you can look down and see huge brook trout clear as day on the bottom.

I picked up my kid’s ultralight rod and threw a few casts with a yellow spinner/silver blade and the first one I caught literally blew out the anti reverse function on the reel, it was a large Marge

Go check it out before it gets snowed in if you can… tight lines!

 

[Davpot]

Thank you! The only top water action I saw happening was the Kokanee chasing each other out of the water, which was pretty cool.

As fly line goes, I was using RIO CleanSweep on a 9’ 5wt rod. It’s a multi density sinking line that brings your flies down like a big “U” shape. The fish in 0-10’ of water were spooked with even the softest of presentations but I found great success using that line to “sweep” through the water column while keeping the boat in about 25’ of water and just fan casting. Even in 30’+ of water you can look down and see huge brook trout clear as day on the bottom.

I picked up my kid’s ultralight rod and threw a few casts with a yellow spinner/silver blade and the first one I caught literally blew out the anti reverse function on the reel, it was a large Marge

Go check it out before it gets snowed in if you can… tight lines!

Good for you and Kids Jack! Sounds Awsome! Slipped on some mud yesterday and injured my leg!! If I’m lucky, I Might make a coast trip! What was your leader set up? That’s a Wonderful area! Keep reporting

 

[Jack.of.all.trouts]

Good for you and Kids Jack! Sounds Awsome! Slipped on some mud yesterday and injured my leg!! If I’m lucky, I Might make a coast trip! What was your leader set up? That’s a Wonderful area! Keep reporting

Thanks @Davpot! I hope your leg gets better soon

Leader setup from the end of the sweep line- tapered butt section of fluorocarbon leader, cut at the point just after it’s started to taper, and small enough to tie on a micro barrel swivel. From the barrel swivel, I’ll add about 4’ of 3-5x tippet to a booby-style fly, followed by another 2-4’ section of 4-6x to fly #2. I’ll repeat that last step if I’m fishing a third fly. My leader ends up around 15’ or so and it’s all fluorocarbon.

 

[troutdude]

Stunning photos bro! Wow. Should enter some into the ODFW contest!

 

[Davpot]

Thanks for the Info Jack! You are Clearly an accomplished Techno-FF! Yes, those stunning fotos are definitely Contest Material! Well Done Jack!

 

[Jack.of.all.trouts]

Thanks @troutdude and @Davpot!
What contest are we talking about? Drop a link if you find one

 

[Snopro]

Folks were asking about Kokanee populations in previous posts so I figure I’d drop this photo as an update. I think the Kokanee are doing just fine

I forgot to ask, what camera were you using?

 

[Jack.of.all.trouts]

I forgot to ask, what camera were you using?

GoPro hero 10 and those are frame grabs from video.