Sammamish curve ball

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joel Alinen on October 19, 2011 at 12:36pm

Im surprised there was still a thermocline Willie, I was under the assumption that the lake had already started to turn?  I saw a ton of weed...floating vegitation which is usually a sign of turnover.  Any ways I can honestly say I hate Lake Sammamish in the fall...that lake it a tough one to crack for me...by far my least favoret lake Willie!

Permalink Reply by Willie Parsons on October 19, 2011 at 4:58pm

Your observation would explain the results of a turnover in process, and also that my head was to far up my backside to notice! I don't dislike sammamish in fact it's those kind of days that really make me want to learn more about why they happen and things to look for. I knew I was putting my ignorance out there and I don't mind eating some crow if I get to learn something from it. Thanks Joel see you at Whatcom this weekend if you make it.

Permalink Reply by Marc Marcantonio on October 19, 2011 at 7:06pm

It is not unusual for turnover to occur late in the year on bodies of water like Sammamish.  Since the thermocline can form at deep levels, and since the lake has very little current  and if the lake isn't exposed to heavy wind, it can take longer than normal for cooling surface layers to get the lake water to mix.

 

Although I have not been on Sammamish lately, I would expect this is what you experienced, Willie.  I wrote a detailed article about this that can probably be found if you search on the internet, but I can't even remember which magazine it was published in.

 

ciao,
Marc Marcantonio

Permalink Reply by John Mark Minica on October 19, 2011 at 7:22pm

It was definitely a lake in transition last weekend. We caught most of our fish in 35-40' of water, however one of our better fish came in 25'. But once we realized that most of the fish we were marking in that 25' area were just nice sized trout, we took it as a sign for us to head back out deeper. Only having one previous day on the lake, we decided to stick to one spot all day, that we knew held fish, and grind it out until we found where most of those fish were at. I learned alot that day, and I think I will fish Samamish more now that I have seen the potential it has, even on a tough day. I didn't notice floating weeds though, I did notice the surface of the water covered with patches of bubbles, almost like everyone took a piss in the lake at once. I thought that was a bit odd. I love the science that's involved in this sport!