Long time listener, first time caller - I'm fairly new to the stillwater game, but with the pandemic upon us I decided to spend some time this winter figuring out the Island's lakes. To that end, over Thanksgiving weekend I took my float tube out to recently stocked Cranberry Lake and ended up having a pretty good day.
Since WDFW has been stocking Cranberry Lake a lot this month (from WDFW website: 11/3 - 500 rainbow trout; 11/4 - 1,000; 11/5 - 500; and 11/22 - 2,000) the odds looked promising for this stillwater novice. Also, since the word was obviously out on the stocking schedule, I definitely wasn't alone on the lake (I didn't count, but I would guess around 15 other PWCs milling about and a lot of folks fishing from the shore), but there was plenty of space for everyone.
I brought along two rods, one strung with a floating line and one with an old full sink line. The floater with a Woolly Bugger along the banks was fruitless (but in all honesty, I didn't expect much since I was there in the middle of the day, however I thought it might be worthwhile for a bit). After 30-min or so of flogging the banks, rootballs, and downed trees, I moved to deeper water and tried my 6wt with a full sink line.
I used a large'ish white beadhead leach pattern and smaller black Woolly Bugger. I had some action on the leach, but both fish came unbuttoned pretty quickly. The smaller Woolly Bugger proved more successful and I ended the day with four nice 12-16 inch fish netted and another two lost (for those keeping score at home: 4 for 8 for the day).
While I was feeling pretty good about myself, I couldn't help but notice an older fly fishing couple in an anchored green john boat that were catching fish left-and-right the entire time I was out there. I didn't see an indicator/bobber on their lines, but based on the way they were casting, I suspect they were practicing some variety of chironomid black magic (long leaders and only a single back cast)...I guess I have some homework to do!?!?
Anyhow, after about three hours I decided to call it a day after I lost all sense for feeling in my feet! All in all, a good day!
Wonderful report, Jeff. Thanks for taking the time to post it. And I love the photos--particularly the lake shot. We fishers don't always take the time to photo beyond the fish.
I'm glad you were so successful. Catching a few fish when you're new to the game makes such a difference for morale. From my limited experience with Cranberry Lake, I think you've identified some key points. I've never seen or heard of people fishing the shoreline from boats. Bob Adams, of the club, fishes Cranberry a lot and sticks entirely to the deeper water. He even avoids the lily pads on the south shore. He says chironomids are very productive most of the time, and his alternative is trolling a woolybugger or leach. You're on track for becoming our next go-to guy for Cranberry Lake.
A couple years ago WDFW dumped a lot of steelhead into the lake. Last year Bob Adams reported catching a hold-over of considerable size. I'll bet there are still a few around.