Are Pass Lake Browns Gone?

[aaronj]

It has been years since I caught a Brownie on Pass. The WDFW trout plant records don't show any recent plantings (of either Rainbows or Browns for that matter). Does anyone have some insight on their disappearance?

-Happiness is a tight line

 

[Stonedfish]

Not sure what report you are looking at but it will get 3,000 browns as well as 7,000 rainbows.
SF

2024 Statewide Trout and Kokanee Stocking Plan

The statewide trout stocking plan provides anglers with the earliest information on where and how many trout are planned to be stocked into lakes and streams around the state. While most of the lakes are stocked as planned, anglers can expect a few changes due to modifications in hatchery...

wdfw.wa.gov

 

[Kfish]

They are still there, we caught several last year in December. Agreed they seem harder to find compared to before but they do stock brown fry if I remember correctly.

 

[aaronj]

Good to know, thx. Not sure why I couldn't pull up the correct data; must be getting old, LOL

 

[Ernie]

Good to know, thx. Not sure why I couldn't pull up the correct data; must be getting old, LOL

I caught a 14 incher last year. Unlike most fly fishers, landing a brown doesn’t excite me.

 

[Chucker]

I caught a 14 incher last year. Unlike most fly fishers, landing a brown doesn’t excite me.

I’m with you, we have great species of native trout in the PNW, why add browns? Especially as the particular variety of browns that are stocked around here are not exactly a good example of the species.

 

[_WW_]

The last Brown I caught at Pass did a pretty fair imitation of an anchor. It took quite an effort to get him to come up with the 4wt. Rod tip bent over to the water for nearly a full minute until it finally succumbed to the pressure. Measured all of 16".

 

[Ceviche]

Same smell at Martha Lake WB. It’s been years there for me, too.

 

[The Fish Whisperer]

They are there......it's just that the lake has been all jacked up the last couple of years and not its normal self. Try the obvious places and times of day.

 

[aaronj]

Was there yesterday. Slow going, fish were super-tuned into the large chironomids hatching. On a hunch, I switched to an emerger pattern, cast it toward rise rings and turned up the patience. After a few casts I was rewarded with a 19 inch Rainbow (keeping one eye on the eagle circling above). No Brownies, but a good day as always, fishing...

 

[aaronj]

The last Brown I caught at Pass did a pretty fair imitation of an anchor. It took quite an effort to get him to come up with the 4wt. Rod tip bent over to the water for nearly a full minute until it finally succumbed to the pressure. Measured all of 16".

My encounters with Browns at Pass have been positive. Yes, they tend to be grinders, staying below the surface in their struggle for freedom. Still, it's always a little exciting to see one coming in toward the net...photos all of Pass Brownies from the past.

 

[Wanative]

They were still there last December.

 

[Bambooflyguy]

Last September…..I dig browns! One of two C&R’d that day. Wish there were more around…..bent the bamboo….