MarDon Fresh News – September 28, 2018

MarDon Fresh News – September 28, 2018 

The fishing on the Potholes Reservoir remains very good. The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1027.58 feet – rising .25 feet this past week.  The water temperature on the main Reservoir is right at 62 degrees. Of interest to duck hunters – the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is forecasting that the outflow gates will remain open until October 22 of this year – indicating that the water will remain low until the closing of the gates. The Reservoir should rise fairly quickly after that. 

The walleye bite is good – if you hit the right day. It seems that the bite varies literally day by day. One day it is on the next may a little tough.  This past Saturday two guide boats brought in 54 walleyes for eight anglers – so the fish are here! Fish the humps in front of the sand dunes and around the mouth of Crab Creek and the rocks off Gooses Island. The bite seems to have switched to more of a crawler rig bite versus a crankbait bite – even though crankbaits are still working early in the morning.  Troll a Slow Death hook with a worm by itself or a Smile Blade/Slow Death rig behind a 2-ounce bottom walker around the deeper mid-lake humps in the 15-25-foot depth range. Bring lots of worms as many incidental catches of bluegill, crappie, bullhead and bass are being reported. 

The Largemouth bass bite continues to be strong. Both Largemouth and Smallmouth are along the face of the dunes, and along the face of the dam. Some anglers are finding bigger fish in the 15-20-foot range. Top baits for Largemouth include – swim baits, spinnerbaits, crank baits, Wacky Rigged Senkos and Skirted Heart Throb XL’s fished on a 1/2 oz. football head and fishing a drop shot rig. Smallmouth are being caught on the rock piles off Goose Island and along the face of the dam as well as around the face of the dunes. Use Flicker Shads, 3½” tubes, swimbaits, drop shot baits and Senkos for the Smallmouth.

The trout fishing on the Potholes Reservoir is picking up with the cooler water temperatures. Trout fishers have been catching trout trolling #5 and # 7 Flicker Shads and Shad Raps.

The crappie fishing continues to be good throughout the Reservoir. Big crappies are being caught trolling #5 Flicker Shads and #5 Rapala Shad Raps along the face of the dunes, and jigging VMC Probe jigs and Wingding jigs on the deeper humps.  The MarDon Resort dock continues to hold fish.  Fish Trout Magnets and Gulp Alive Minnows off the dock on a 1/64^thoz. jig head. Big bluegills are being caught around the mouth of Crab Creek and along the face of the dunes.  A few perch are being caught off the dock and around Goose Island and the mouth of Crab Creek. Fishing from the MarDon Dock is reserved for registered guests only.

Both Channel Catfish and Yellow Bullhead fishing has been very good over the past couple of weeks.  Anglers have been trolling walleye rigs with crawlers in the dunes, on the face of the dunes and around Goose Island. Bank fishermen have been doing well on Cats in Lind Coulee and at the mouth of Frenchman’s Wasteway using Magic Bait Catfish Nuggets and Crawlers.

If you are a bird watcher – now is a great time to see the lesser Sandhill Cranes on their migration from Alaska back to California for the winter. Look to the skies early in the morning as they fly to the fields to feed and again in the evening returning to roost in the sand dunes. Take a drive around the fields between the Potholes Reservoir and Othello to spot them feeding.

If you are a Pheasant hunter – now is the time to sign up for the Royal Hunt Club. The Royal Hunt Club offers access to approximately 25,000 of private property. This year 700 birds will be incrementally released throughout the season on Saturdays. The cost is $300.00 per hunter for the season. Call MarDon Resort at 509-346-2651 to get your application.

Call the MarDon Store for the latest fishing info and to make reservations at 509-346-2651.

A nice mixed bag of Potholes Reservoir walleye and bluegill!

Paul Verhey of Royal City shows a Largemouth bass caught trolling a Berkley Flicker Shad in the Crab Creek area on the Potholes Reservoir.

Dian Arnold with a nice 3-pound Smallmouth bass from one of the Seep Lakes!

MarDon Fresh News – September 21, 2018

MarDon Fresh News – September 21, 2018

The fishing on the Potholes Reservoir continues to be very good with the cooing water temps. The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1027.33 feet – rising .13 feet this past week.  The water temperature on the main Reservoir is right at 63 degrees. The water level should remain close to this level for the next 3 ½ weeks.

The Largemouth bass bite continues to be strong. Both Largemouth and Smallmouth are along the face of the dunes, and along the face of the dam. Some anglers are finding bigger fish in the 15-20-foot range. Top baits for Largemouth include – the SPRO Rock Crawler crank bait, Wacky Rigged Senkos and Skirted Heart Throb XL’s fished on a 1/2^th oz. football head and fishing a drop shot rig. Smallmouth are being caught on the rock piles off Goose Island and along the face of the dam as well as around the face of the dunes. Use Flicker Shads, 3½” tubes, swimbaits, drop shot baits and Senkos for the Smallmouth.

The walleye bite continued to improve this past week. Fish the humps in front of the sand dunes and around the rocks on Gooses Island.  Troll #5 or #7 Flicker Shads and Strike King Walleye Elites and Bonsai Shads or Rapalas along the face of the dunes in 5-15 feet of water and in the same depths around Goose Island. Troll Smile Blade/Slow Death rigs fished behind a 2-ounce bottom walker around the deeper mid-lake humps in the 15-25 foot depth range as well. Use extreme caution boating and fishing between Goose Island and the face of the dam. There are rock hazards that are difficult to see until it is too late!

 The trout fishing on the Potholes Reservoir is picking up with the cooler water temperatures. Trout fishers have been catching trout trolling #5 and # 7 Flicker Shads and Shad Raps.

The crappie fishing continues to be great throughout the Reservoir. Big crappies are being caught trolling #5 Flicker Shads and #5 Rapala Shad Raps along the face of the dunes, and jigging VMC Probe jigs and Wingdings. The MarDon Resort dock continues to fish well. Fish Trout Magnets and Gulp Alive Minnows off the dock on a 1/64^th oz. jig head. Big bluegills are being caught around the mouth of Crab Creek.  A few perch are being caught off the dock and around Goose Island and the mouth of Crab Creek. Fishing from the MarDon Dock is reserved for registered guests only.

Both Channel Catfish and Yellow Bullhead fishing has been very good over the past couple of weeks. We have had several Channel Cats in the 8-15lb. caught off the MarDon Dock during the 14^th annual MarDon Resort Marathon Dock Tournament. Anglers have been trolling walleye rigs with crawlers in the dunes, on the face of the dunes and around Goose Island. Bank fishermen have been doing well on Cats in Lind Coulee and at the mouth of Frenchman’s Wasteway using Magic Bait Catfish Nuggets and Crawlers.

Call the MarDon Store for the latest fishing info and to make reservations at 509-346-2651.

Dave Meseberg of MarDon Resort caught this beautiful Potholes Reservoir walleye trolling a crank bait over mid-lake humps.

Terri Lynn Kassik Snider caught a nice Rainbow Trout while trolling on the Potholes Reservoir with her husband Jim.

Royal Hunt Club

A Royal Youth Booster Fundraiser

8198 HWY 262 SE, Othello, WA 99344, Phone 509 346-2651, Fax 509 346-9493

As summer comes to a close – it’s time to start thinking about birds!

The 2018/19 pheasant and waterfowl season marks the 29^th year of the Royal Hunt Club hunting program.  The Royal Youth Booster club would like to thank and congratulate our past membership for enhancing many aspects of the student’s daily activities in the Royal School District.  The projects funded would never have been possible without the tax-deductible donations collected for legal access to this private property.

Pheasant season begins October 20, 2018 and ends on January 21, 2019.  Waterfowl regular season begins on October 13, 2018 and ends on January 27, 2019.  Dove season begins September 1, 2018 to October 30, 2018.

For the 2018/19 season the Boosters will have 700 pheasants that will be released incrementally on Saturdays at daylight on designated sights as we have done in the past.  The acreage is estimated at 25,000 acres of private property.  Our Booster Board will be providing a map of the property and will post the ground.  Your packets will include the map, a car pass and a wallet sized personal pass.

2018/19 Membership prices are:

Season Pass	$300.00
Dove Only Pass	$150.00
Season + Dove Pass	$400.00
Season Youth (18 & under)	$150.00
3-Day Pass (Consecutive days, not available on opening weekend)	$120.00
Corporate Season Pass each (must buy 4)	$250.00
Corporate Season + Dove each (must buy 4)	$350.00

Packets will be available for pick-up at the MarDon Resort office on Friday October 12, 2018.  For those who request their packets mailed, it will be mailed October 12 as well.  Dove passes will be available on August 31, 2018 for pick-up or it will be mailed on that date. 

MarDon Fresh News – September 14, 2018

MarDon Fresh News – September 14, 2018

The fishing on the Potholes Reservoir continues to be very good with the cooler weather settling in. The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1027.20 feet – dropping .25 feet this past week.  The water temperature on the main Reservoir is right around 65 degrees.

The Largemouth bass bite continues to be strong. Both Largemouth and Smallmouth are along the face of the dunes, and along the face of the dam. Some anglers are finding bigger fish in the 15-20-foot range. Top baits for Largemouth include – the SPRO Rock Crawler crank bait, Wacky Rigged Senkos and Skirted Heart Throb XL’s fished on a 3/8^th oz. football head and fishing a drop shot rig. Smallmouth are being caught on the rock piles off Goose Island and along the face of the dam as well as around the face of the dunes. Use Flicker Shads, 3½” tubes, swimbaits, drop shot baits and Senkos for the Smallmouth.

The walleye bite has been very good this past week. Fish the humps in front of the sand dunes and around the rocks on Gooses Island.  Troll #5 or #7 Flicker Shads and Strike King Walleye Elites and Bonsai Shads or Rapalas along the face of the dunes in 5-20 feet of water and in the same depths around Goose Island. Smile Blade/Slow Death rigs fished behind a 2-ounce bottom walker are also producing. Use extreme caution boating and fishing between Goose Island and the face of the dam. There are rock hazards that are difficult to see until it is too late!

 The trout fishing on the Potholes Reservoir is picking up with the cooler water temperatures. Trout fishers have been catching trout trolling #5 and # 7 Flicker Shads and Rapalas.

The crappie fishing continues to be great throughout the Reservoir. Big crappies are being caught trolling #5 Flicker Shads and #5 Rapala Shad Raps along the face of the dunes, and jigging VMC Probe jigs and Wingdings. The MarDon Resort dock continues to fish well. Fish Trout Magnets and Gulp Alive Minnows off the dock on a 1/64^th oz. jig head. Big bluegills are being caught around the mouth of Crab Creek.  A few perch are being caught off the dock and around Goose Island. Fishing from the MarDon Dock is reserved for registered guests only.

Both Channel Catfish and Yellow Bullhead fishing has been very good over the past couple of weeks. We have had several Channel Cats in the 8-15lb. range come in this week. Mitch Herring from the MarDon Tackle store caught a 27-pound Channel Cat off the MarDon dock! Anglers have been trolling walleye rigs with crawlers in the dunes, on the face of the dunes and around Goose Island. Bank fishermen have been doing well on Cats in Lind Coulee and at the mouth of Frenchman’s Wasteway using Magic Bait Catfish Nuggets and Crawlers.

MarDon Resort will be hosting the Old Farts Bass Tournament on September 15^th.  This is a CWFAC event in which all net monies will be used for the habitat restoration project on the Potholes Reservoir. Come have some fun and support the habitat project!

Call the MarDon Store for the latest fishing info and to make reservations at 509-346-2651.

Upcoming Events:

September 14-16 Marathon Dock Fishing Tournament and Potluck

September 15 Old Farts Tournament – a CWFAC event

A couple of satisfied anglers show their catch after a trip with guide Shelby Ross.

A happy fisherman with a beautiful Potholes Reservoir walleye!

Mitch Herring from the MarDon Resort tackle shop caught this 27-pound Channel Catfish from the MarDon Resort dock!

Royal Hunt Club

A Royal Youth Booster Fundraiser

8198 HWY 262 SE, Othello, WA 99344, Phone 509 346-2651, Fax 509 346-9493

As summer comes to a close – it’s time to start thinking about birds!

The 2018/19 pheasant and waterfowl season marks the 29^th year of the Royal Hunt Club hunting program.  The Royal Youth Booster club would like to thank and congratulate our past membership for enhancing many aspects of the student’s daily activities in the Royal School District.  The projects funded would never have been possible without the tax-deductible donations collected for legal access to this private property.

Pheasant season begins October 20, 2018 and ends on January 21, 2019.  Waterfowl regular season begins on October 13, 2018 and ends on January 27, 2019.  Dove season begins September 1, 2018 to October 30, 2018.

For the 2018/19 season the Boosters will have 700 pheasants that will be released incrementally on Saturdays at daylight on designated sights as we have done in the past.  The acreage is estimated at 25,000 acres of private property.  Our Booster Board will be providing a map of the property and will post the ground.  Your packets will include the map, a car pass and a wallet sized personal pass.

2018/19 Membership prices are:

Season Pass	$300.00
Dove Only Pass	$150.00
Season + Dove Pass	$400.00
Season Youth (18 & under)	$150.00
3-Day Pass (Consecutive days, not available on opening weekend)	$120.00
Corporate Season Pass each (must buy 4)	$250.00
Corporate Season + Dove each (must buy 4)	$350.00

Packets will be available for pick-up at the MarDon Resort office on Friday October 12, 2018.  For those who request their packets mailed, it will be mailed October 12 as well.  Dove passes will be available on August 31, 2018 for pick-up or it will be mailed on that date.

MarDon Fresh News – September 07, 2018

MarDon Fresh News – September 07, 2018

The fishing on the Potholes Reservoir continues to be fantastic this past week! The current water level on the Potholes Reservoir is 1027.45 feet – dropping 1.02 feet this past week and is approximately 19 feet below full pool.  The water temperature on the main Reservoir is at 70-72 degrees.

The Largemouth bass fishing is very good right now. Both Largemouth and Smallmouth are along the face of the dunes, and along the face of the dam. Top baits for Largemouth include – the Strike King 2.50 Square Billed crankbait, Wacky Rigged Senkos and Skirted Heart Throb XL’s fished on a 3/8^th oz. football head and fishing a drop shot rig. Smallmouth are being caught on the rock piles off Goose Island and along the face of the dam as well as around the face of the dunes. Use Flicker Shads, 3½” tubes, swimbaits, drop shot baits and Senkos for the Smallmouth.

The walleye bite is heating up and becoming very good off the humps in front of the sand dunes and around the rocks on Gooses Island. Walleye anglers are reporting catches of 5-15 per 2 anglers for a morning of fishing. Troll #5 or #7 Flicker Shads or Rapalas along the face of the dunes in 5-15 feet of water and in the same depths around Goose Island. Smile Blade/Slow Death rigs fished behind a 2-ounce bottom walker are also producing. Use extreme caution boating and fishing between Goose Island and the face of the dam. There are rock hazards that are difficult to see until it is too late!

 The trout fishing on the Potholes Reservoir remains a bit slow with the warm water – but trout are still being caught here and there by anglers targeting walleyes. Trout fishers have been catching trout trolling #5 and # 7 Flicker Shads.

The crappie fishing continues to be great throughout the Reservoir. Big crappies are being caught trolling #5 Flicker Shads and #5 Rapala Shad Raps along the face of the dunes, and jigging VMC Probe jigs and Wingdings. The MarDon Resort dock continues to fish well. Fish Trout Magnets and Gulp Alive Minnows off the dock on a 1/64^th oz. jig head. Big bluegills are being caught around the mouth of Crab Creek.  A few perch are being caught off the dock and around Goose Island. Fishing from the MarDon Dock is reserved for registered guests only.

Both Channel Catfish and Yellow Bullhead fishing has been very good over the past couple of weeks. We have had several Channel Cats in the 8-15lb. range come in this week. Anglers have been trolling walleye rigs with crawlers in the dunes, on the face of the dunes and around Goose Island. Bank fishermen have been doing well on Cats in Lind Coulee and at the mouth of Frenchman’s Wasteway using Magic Bait Catfish Nuggets and Crawlers.

MarDon Resort will be hosting the Old Farts Bass Tournament on September 15^th.  This is a CWFAC event in which all net monies will be used for the habitat restoration project on the Potholes Reservoir. Come have some fun and support the habitat project!

Call the MarDon Store for the latest fishing info and to make reservations at 509-346-2651.

Upcoming Events:

September 14-16 Marathon Dock Fishing Tournament and Potluck

September 15 Old Farts Tournament – a CWFAC event

John Lester from Gig Harbor landed this 21 inch Walleye on Berkley Flicker Shad outside of Crab Creek in 18 feet of water

 John Kruze of Northwest Outdoor Radio caught his biggest perch to date on the Potholes Reservoir. John was using a special MarDon version of the DC 13!

Royal Hunt Club

A Royal Youth Booster Fundraiser

8198 HWY 262 SE, Othello, WA 99344, Phone 509 346-2651, Fax 509 346-9493

As summer comes to a close – it’s time to start thinking about birds!

The 2018/19 pheasant and waterfowl season marks the 29^th year of the Royal Hunt Club hunting program.  The Royal Youth Booster club would like to thank and congratulate our past membership for enhancing many aspects of the student’s daily activities in the Royal School District.  The projects funded would never have been possible without the tax-deductible donations collected for legal access to this private property.

Pheasant season begins October 20, 2018 and ends on January 21, 2019.  Waterfowl regular season begins on October 13, 2018 and ends on January 27, 2019.  Dove season begins September 1, 2018 to October 30, 2018.

For the 2018/19 season the Boosters will have 700 pheasants that will be released incrementally on Saturdays at daylight on designated sights as we have done in the past.  The acreage is estimated at 25,000 acres of private property.  Our Booster Board will be providing a map of the property and will post the ground.  Your packets will include the map, a car pass and a wallet sized personal pass.

2018/19 Membership prices are:

Season Pass	$300.00
Dove Only Pass	$150.00
Season + Dove Pass	$400.00
Season Youth (18 & under)	$150.00
3-Day Pass (Consecutive days, not available on opening weekend)	$120.00
Corporate Season Pass each (must buy 4)	$250.00
Corporate Season + Dove each (must buy 4)	$350.00

Packets will be available for pick-up at the MarDon Resort office on Friday October 12, 2018.  For those who request their packets mailed, it will be mailed October 12 as well.  Dove passes will be available on August 31, 2018 for pick-up or it will be mailed on that date.