I'm headed to hideout campground in July and was just wondering if there are any good spots near Hideout for Macs. We also mess around a lot in Horseshoe Canyon. I've never heard of anybody catching Macs in Horseshoe Canyon, is there any? My family likes to do a lot of water skiing instead of fishing so I have to take advantage of every place we stop. Also, where can I catch a big brown out of the gorge?
Thanks,
Hookjaw
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your only about 20-30yr late on the big brown you may luck in to a smaller brown up north by buckboard hide out is a spot that a lot of big mac can be caught king fisher isnt far and jarvies and gold point is just down the lake all great spot's to stick a good mac look in 120-60ft in the summer you will find most fish a little deeper than spring and fall.FISH
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[font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 1][font "Verdana,Arial,Helvetica"][black][size 1]"Also, where can I catch a big brown out of the gorge?" You asked the million dollar question,but as fishely said you are a few years to late.I.'m sure that there is a big brown or two left in the gorge,but they are no where near as plentiful as they used to be. [/size][/black][/font][/size][/black][/font]
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So just out from the campground at Hideout? Anywhere in that general area? I have done pretty good for Kokanee around the cliff walls but where do the Macs hang out? I'm not trying to get your secret spots out of you, I would just like to have a general location. If you would rather not share, that's fine and I understand. Thanks,
Hookjaw
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just out form the campground out past the bouy's in 60-120ft and over by cambell's on the n-e corner.........Fish
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[black][size 3]I don't want to sound like the old sage of Flaming Gorge, but after fishing it for many years, using many different methods, and catching several hundred of them, I have learned one thing. Mack fishing is not fishing, it's mack hunting.[/size][/black]
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[size 3]No matter what lure you're pulling or jigging, and you're not over receptive fish, it a waste of your time.[/size]
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[size 3]The most important item on your boat is the electronics. If you're not working over a pod of fish it's not going to happen.[/size]
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[size 3]For the most part, macks don't swim at random and alone, and are usually found in less than 100 feet. They usually don't suspend much over a few feet off the bottom. [/size]
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[size 3]This time of the year, the wind at FG can be a real problem, it can come up fast, and be very strong. This is mostly true in the open areas north of horseshoe canyon, where I feel the best fishing is located.[/size]
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[size 3]If you have questions on fishing FG, I'll try to answer them. Also, there are many here on BFT who have considerable experience at FG, and they know much more then I do.[/size]
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[size 3]good luck, and watch the wind.[/size]
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I have never had much problem with the wind at Hideout or Horseshoe, maybe I'm just lucky. I go to Hideout every year and mostly end up fishing for trout and smallies from shore. I have always wanted to bring a big mac up from the depths of the Gorge. A couple of years ago I caught my first mac, a whopping 23 incher. Other than that no macs for me. The kokes are usually hitting and the trout and smallies hit non-stop. Thanks for all the info guys, I appreciate it and I'll see if I can put it to use.
Hookjaw
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This is some great information, thanks for sharing.
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As someone said, just out from the campground are three long points (underwater!) just out past the bouys. You can idle right out from the campground. In July, I'd look from 80-120 feet, and fish from first light until the "boat show" starts. That place is a zoo once everyone starts running their boats, and the lake is narrow there. I've caught, and heard of fish caught, over 30 lbs. from all three of those humps, which are big fish for me. (I know they're just "pups" for the real pros.)
Also, you're not far from the structure in Sheep Creek Bay/Kingfisher Island. I have yet to catch a big lake trout in Horseshoe Canyon. Too bad too, because some days its the only calm, fishable spot in the lake. I'm sure there's a few in there, but I haven't seen any structure to hold them except canyon walls, and those are tough to fish and read the sonar on.
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You can purchase a map at sportsmans that gives very detailed info on the whole lake all the humps and points and depths that Jim is talking about and gps cords everything you need!! Good luck M.H.
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Last year I pulled a 18#er from Jarvies. But I have never fished Hideout, but as tarpon said anywhere in the gorge that you find 60- 100 ft. you will find macs. The only problem is I like to long line for them and in order to get that deep I need a good long run or else it becomes alot of work for not much fishing. Though I do know that there are some good spots in sheep creek any where around the island in those depths.
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thats some great starting points from the best guys you could ask.
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Thanks to everyone! This is really good info and I'll see what I can do about catching a big Mac (not the McDonalds kind).
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