I have mentioned that Billy Clapp can be a great place to fish in the winter, if you have a good four wheel drive rig to launch your boat off the sand. My buddy James Lebow called the other day to report that he fished Billy Clapp for just a couple of hours last week and did pretty good. They were flatlining Rapalas and landed seven trout. Two of the fish were fat 16-inchers and the others were all cookie cutter 14-inchers. They did the best just above the big basalt island. He said that they got all of their action on the lures that were on side planers. He also said that there were four groups of anglers fishing from the shore and catching fish. They were casting bait and were in the area of the launch, which is high and dry. Lebow also sent me a text of a big catch of perch from Curlew Lake, which has been known for excellent perch fishing for the last few years. It appears to be great again this year. Also, we are planning a trip to Potholes Reservoir for early next week. This is a great time to blade bait for walleye on potholes.
Jim Anderson shows off a rainbow caught at this time last year on Billy Clapp.