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Lake Berryessa kokanee, trout, scent, and trolling updates.
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Guide ReportsAustin MoserNorthwest salmon updates, flashers, plugs, and bait programs.
Guide ReportsDavid JohnsonOregon salmon reports and changing river conditions.
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Salmon Gear Breakdown
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Rufus Woods Reservoir Fishing Report | May 12, 2026
Report by Capt. Austin Moser Austin Moser runs Austin's Northwest Adventures on Eastern Washington waters and is a Catch America pro-staff guide. Shop Austin Moser's tackle. What is working right now Rufus Woods is on fire for giant triploid trout, with the crew landing 30 to 50 fish in the 7 to 12 pound class in a single day. The go-to was a Hawken Aerojig tipped with a trimmed Trix Minnow tail, worked casting, under a Hawken Aero-Float slip bobber, and on back plug rods. When the sun climbed, a gold T-Pex with a Trix Minnow triggered a triple. What is biting at Rufus Woods Reservoir right now?Massive triploid rainbow trout. These sterile fish put all their energy into growth, and Capt. Austin Moser's crew landed 30 to 50 of them in the 7 to 12 pound range in one day, roughly 450 pounds of fish. Constant tank-class action from first cast to last. What lures caught the Rufus Woods triploids?Cast Hawken Aerojigs tipped with a trimmed Trix Minnow tail for added attraction, black-and-white being the hot jig color. Austin also ran a Hawken Aero-Float slip-bobber rig and back plug rods, then a gold T-Pex with a Trix Minnow when the sun got high. How does Austin rig the Trix Minnow on a jig?He cuts a little less than half off a Trix Minnow, trims it pointed and hydrodynamic, then threads it straight and centered on the jig hook so it lays in line. No bait or scent is used, which keeps the catch-and-release fishery legal. The trimmed tail adds action and attraction. How deep and how were the fish holding at Rufus Woods?Austin sight-fished trout right on the bottom, watching them rise to inspect and eat the jig. For the slip bobber he set the Aero-Float to hold the jig within one to two feet of the bottom, shortening a foot at a time until it floated free. The crew anchored in current and flatlined plugs and flies with light weight. What was the guide's outlook at Rufus Woods?Austin called it a phenomenal, non-stop morning and expects the fishery to keep producing big triploids in the 7 to 12 pound class. Water temperature was a chilly start near 32 degrees. Exact trolling speed was not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Austin Moser): We're casting with some jigs this morning, and I like to add this little tail of the Trix Minnow. Little added attraction for your lure. So the sun got high in the sky, our bite started to slow down, and we're going to put one of these T-Pexes on. I'm going to add a Trix Minnow to it. Oh, back rod T-Pex is off! Double, both rods are going off. We probably caught over 30 fish. Rufus Woods Reservoir May 12, 2026 FAQ How big are the triploid trout at Rufus Woods?On this trip they ran 7 to 12 pounds, with the crew landing 30 to 50 fish for roughly 450 pounds in a day. What is the best jig color for Rufus Woods triploids?Black and white was the ticket on the casting jigs and the bobber rod. Can you use bait at Rufus Woods?Austin fished no bait and no scent to keep the catch-and-release fishery legal, using a trimmed Trix Minnow tail on the jig instead. What is an Aero-Float rig?A Hawken Aero-Float slip bobber over an inline weight and fluorocarbon to an Aerojig, set within one to two feet of the bottom. Does the T-Pex work for big trout?Yes. A gold T-Pex with a Trix Minnow triggered a triple once the sun got high and the jig bite slowed. Who guides Rufus Woods for Catch America?Capt. Austin Moser of Austin's Northwest Adventures. Shop the Tackle Hawken Aerojig Hackle Jig Trix Minnows 3" Soft Bait Hawken Aero-Floats Slip Floats T-Pex Kokanee & Trout Lure Shop Capt. Austin Moser's Tackle Shop Trout Soft Plastics
Learn moreRufus Woods Reservoir Fishing Report | January 2026
Report by Capt. Austin Moser Austin Moser is a Washington State trout specialist and a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Austin Moser's tackle. What is working right now The Rufus Woods Reservoir winter triploid trout fishery is in full swing, giving up big, deep-colored fish including a 13 pound triploid. Capt. Austin Moser is catching them on Hawken Aero-Floats and Aerojigs, plus pitching the heavier jigs. Cold water and proven gear are producing the trophy trout Rufus Woods is known for. What is biting at Rufus Woods Reservoir right now?Big triploid rainbow trout, and the winter fishery is in full swing. Capt. Austin Moser had a phenomenal day catching a bunch of big fish, the largest a 13 pound triploid. The fish are healthy with deep, rich color in the fillet. What lures are working at Rufus Woods Reservoir?Austin caught them on Hawken Aero-Floats and Aerojigs, as well as just pitching the slightly heavier jigs. This float-and-jig approach is the proven winter program on Rufus Woods. How do you fish for Rufus Woods triploids?Run a float setup with Hawken Aero-Floats and Aerojigs, and also pitch the heavier jigs directly to fish. It is a cold-water fishery, so proven gear and patience produce these big triploids. Exact depths were not specified in this report. How big are the Rufus Woods trout?They run big. Austin caught a bunch of large fish on this day, and the standout was a 13 pound triploid trout. These fish fillet out with a deep, rich color inside and are exactly what Rufus Woods is known for. What is the outlook for Rufus Woods Reservoir?The winter fishery is in full swing and producing well in the cold water. Austin is having a great time boating big triploids. Water temperature, trolling speed, and specific depths were not specified in this report. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Austin Moser): We're out here on Rufus Woods in Washington State and we had a phenomenal day catching these big trout. This one's 13 lbs. We are in full swing right now on this winter fishery. We caught them today on the Hawken Aerofloats and Aerojigs as well as just pitching the jigs, the little bit heavier ones. Rufus Woods Reservoir January 2026 FAQ What is the biggest fish caught at Rufus Woods?A 13 pound triploid trout was the standout on this trip. What lures work for Rufus Woods triploids?Hawken Aero-Floats and Aerojigs, plus pitching the heavier jigs. Is the Rufus Woods winter fishery good right now?Yes, it is in full swing and producing lots of big trout in the cold water. What kind of trout are in Rufus Woods?Big triploid rainbow trout, known for their size and deep, rich fillet color. What depth are the fish holding?An exact depth was not specified in this report. Who guides Rufus Woods for Catch America?Capt. Austin Moser, a Washington State trout specialist. Shop the Tackle Hawken Aero-Floats Hawken Aerojig Hackle Jig Shop Austin Moser's Tackle Shop Trout Gear
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