First trip to LBC - need advice

zipper · 06-14-2008, 10:03 PM

Hi all. Don't hang here much on this trout forum but lurk from time to time. Here's the deal: in a moment of weakness and near insanity I've agreed to help chaparone the 13-14 year old baseball team I help coach for 4 days at LBC next week. We are renting two house boats from Cove Palisades and will be there Thur-Sun - so if you're thinking about bringing your girl scout troop, you might reconsider. No, really - I've never been there and am planning to bring my boat along for some tubing/fishing as a diversion and I'm wondering how it all works. Anyone done this before? Can I tie up my boat to the house boat and cruise? I might have to be the pilot of one and take care of my boat? I feel kind of stupid about this but I know you'l all be gentle. I'd really like to get some of these kids into some fish - should I target kokes or smallies? What's the water temp about now? Anyone been out there this week that can tell me what to expect? Will the boys turn blue if they try to swim? Will I survive? Actually, I'm very excited and could benefit from some experienced advise - thanks very kindly.

zip

jmg · 06-14-2008, 10:22 PM

Having grown up in Madras and spent some time there...it's most likely cold enough to make you reconsider swimming. As far as fishing, fishing the Metolius arm is/can be very good (but you will need a tribal permit) For smallies, I've found the best place for me is under the bridge in the Deschutes arm. Crawdad lures/jigs were the ticket for me. Good luck!!

zipper · 06-15-2008, 09:28 AM

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I'm quite sure that I won't spend much time in the water and I'd guess there's a few of the boys that won't be real interested - that's why I'm asking about the fishing - as 12 bored boys sounds like trouble to me! Any suggestions for activities around the lake that we could do with them if it's too cold for water sports? Thanks again! zip

jmg · 06-15-2008, 09:31 PM

One thing that I've done in the past that was fun which I still don't know if it's still allowed is to hike the "island". It's just before the Deschutes campgrounds on the north side of the road. There's a good trail and you can walk all the way to where the Crooked River and Deschutes rivers meet if I remember right. Just watch for buzzworms if you go. Other than that for entertainment, you can go to either Redmond or Bend for shopping and/or movies. Madras isn't good enough for a movie theater, unfortunately. You can always go jump off the bridges.

eharris · 06-15-2008, 10:06 PM

May see you there. I am thinking either LBC or Suttle for some kokanee on Friday and Saturday. I guess I can just look for the houseboat full of young men if I want to say hi.

Evan

zipper · 06-16-2008, 06:57 AM

Thanks for the tip... yes Evan, there will be two houseboats and a blue Duckworth - if you don't see us, you'll probably hear us. Good luck with your Koke hunt... zip

Doc_Rhen · 06-16-2008, 07:38 AM

That sounds like an.......um...........entertaining trip? The water is cycling between 63 and 68 degrees and actually feels quite refreshing. I just spent this past weekend on there on a houseboat. Fished a little, and spent a lot of time dunking in the water to cool off, Wake boarded a bit. I have heard that the Kokes are picking up but I only did ok on them. Fished a couple hours picked up three and a Bull Trout. Bass were the same as bass always have been for me. Not very big but pretty constant action. I was throwing grubs up to the bank and then letting them sink in front of the rocks where the fish are hiding. The Kokes were caught on a Blue fox spinner and a wedding ring. The Bull Trout bit a Watermelon Apex. There were jumpers all over the lake, but I could not for the life of me get one to bite a jig.

zipper · 06-16-2008, 08:51 AM

Thanks Doc! That helps a bunch.... Yeah, it'll be entertaining all right... these boys have earned it though - they're a great group. Thanks again for your tips.

zip

weekender · 06-16-2008, 09:05 AM

As far as the logistics go, peice of cake with the boat. Just run a long bow line back it it off the center cleat and tow it 50 or so feet behind the house boat. When it's time to dock/beach/anchor the house boat, pull the sled in, hop in and run it manually until the houseboat is stationed.

Down at Shasta nearly every houseboat has a ski boat or two "in-tow". I can only assume LBC will be the same way.

Doc_Rhen · 06-16-2008, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weekender

As far as the logistics go, peice of cake with the boat. Just run a long bow line back it it off the center cleat and tow it 50 or so feet behind the house boat. When it's time to dock/beach/anchor the house boat, pull the sled in, hop in and run it manually until the houseboat is stationed.

Down at Shasta nearly every houseboat has a ski boat or two "in-tow". I can only assume LBC will be the same way.

Exactly except there is no beaching on LBC, way too rocky and steep. There are no stakes and ropes aboard for that reason, but the lake has a pretty good number of mooring buoys for the house boats.