WOW, What a day of fishing on Pali
es. It was one of those days where everyone was catching fish on anything you threw at them. We trolled near the dam and could not keep lures in the water. We had a lot of doubles and even a triple which was fun with only 2 guys !! We tried jigging and caught fish that way too. All of the fish were browns or cutts, from 14 to 21 inches. We used downriggers, planer boards , flatlines, everything worked !!. 25 feet deep seemed best and they really liked Flo. red. Water temp was a frigid 37. Get out there and get some !!!!!
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That was fun up there yesterday. We saw you guys fishing by the dam and you were nailing them. My dad and I are new to boat fishing and we are still learning all the different techniques, it looked like you were slaying them jigging with spoons? I thought spoons were just for trolling? Also what do you mean by flat lining? The next thing I need to get is a down rigger, with those jet divers its hard to feel the fight while bringing the fish in. Our boat is pretty small so I was looking at the Canon mini troll, do you have any advice on down riggers? Thanks for the info, next time I see you on the lake I'll throw you a Pepsi..
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Hey Maghunter,
I might as well throw my two cents worth in reg. downriggers. I have had both Canons and Penns. I swear by the Penns. True, you don't see many in this area, but over on the coast they're extremely popular. One great advantage of the Penn is that the depth indicator is huge compared to the Canon, and it is on the main body. My oldest Penn is probably 20 years old, and has never had any problems, even with an annual dosing of salt water. All I am suggesting is that you compare. You can get some good bargains on the Penns online. Enjoy that new trolling boat. Whichever type of d. r. you buy, I promise you it will increase tremendously your catch rate. Mike
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Maghunter, flatlining is just running a lure usualy in a rod holder 75 to 150 feet behind the boat. The guy I was with was new to most of this and he caught around 12 fish just using a spoon and holding the rod in his hand. We later added a 1oz snap weight. Snap weights are a great way to get deeper without the drag of a diver devise. You can buy a whole set from Cabelas. I used a dodger /needle fish combo down 25 feet on the rigger. Between 25 and 35 feet seemed to do it but I was catching fish on a taildancer off the planer board early ( which dives around 12 feet ). We were trolling at 1.7 mph. As for downriggers the mini-trolls are great. Before buying new check out E-bay. You can P.M. me if you have any more questions...Tom JL
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I've heard the kokanee can get up to 3 pounds up there. How do you fish for Kokes at Pali
es? We've fished for them at Ririe with wedding rings and flashes and shoe peg corn and done pretty good ( as long as it was cloudy it seems they don't like the sun at Ririe), but they are pretty small, you can barely feel them when you reel in your line. Saturday will have been the fourth time we've ever fished out of a boat and I think we are hooked, but we have alot to learn, its alot different than bank and fly fishing, and I need to get alot more equipment also. Thanks for your tips this would be an imposible sport to get into without help from those in the know.
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When you say the kokanee don't like the sun, what typically happens with kokes is that they drop to deeper depths during the day, especially when it is sunny. We often will start out at say 16', and when the bite slows, we will drop the 'riggers to 21', and so forth. At Anderson Ranch, I have seen the kokanee on top in the morning, and by early afternoon I was graphing them at 75-90'. Since you are experimenting with trolling for kokanee, might I suggest that you go back to approx. this time last year on this site, and read the posts about Lucky Peak. Aluma165 offers lots of specifics about kokanee fishing, including gear, speed, etc. There is no one more knowledgeable about trolling for kokes than him. You'll learn a lot! Mike
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When I have fished Pali
es, the kokes have been quite elusive. They do get quite large(Ive got a 4+ pounder on my wall in pre-spawn colors), but they have the most delicious dark pink meat you will find. The only other place I have found great koke fishing while trolling is on the West end of Island park Res. early in the spring. We use a Penn 209 reel spooled with leaded line to get you down to the desired depth. My lure of choice for both bodies of water is the Dick Nite spoon. Small, but deadly! They are very hard to find around here, and the kokes are pretty color specific. At Pali
es, we have only caught them trolling twice, but when you do, you usually can hook quite a few before they disappear. We have also caught many through the ice. That is where I got my wall mounter. Good luck!
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Thanks, Mike for the compliment. I would just add that the main challenge with Kokanee is staying on them. At this time of the year you will get them hit and miss while flatlining on most trout and kokanee setups. To specifically target them, a decent color finder is necessary . Kokanee generally run along a line at a fairly constant depth or will stack in a column. They regulate the air in their bladder to hold at a water temp range of 50-55 degrees; as the surface warms they go deeper. With a decent color finder their bladders show as red arches. Locate the column or line of them first and then you racetrack back and forth through them just a few feet above their depth. (their eyes look up) They'll hit almost constantly. I prefer DRs to leadcore but different guys use either one or both. I usually run DRs with light tension stacker clips on each side of the boat and then often a leadcore off the back. I like ball flashers for deeper applications. The magic speed for kokes is .9 to 1.4 mph. Faster will lessen your chances and drop your catch rate. I have a spring-loaded ProTroll composite plate to slow my 60hp down enough that I can power up to the ideal speed and maintain good directional control. Snubbers between the flasher (or dodger) and lure are important and it is also important to ease them in once hooked. Their soft mouth will tear easily if horsed. No need to set the hook. At that slow speed I don't even cut the power while bringing them to the boat. Most losses occur right at the boat so have a good net man. Better not to let them settle into the net but rather use the net as a safety device. (hooks foul in the net otherwise) Very limber glass rods work best. I'm set this year with Lamiglass and Vance's 7' Koke rods with Shimano Calcuttas and Tica reels. 6 to 8lb. mono. White shoepeg corn scented with various scents seems to increase the bite. Tandem snelled #4 Gamakatsu octopus hooks. Hook the large end of the corn so that the necked down end trails. Kokanee are the absolute finest eating fish available. Clean them as you catch them and best not to put them in a live well but rather on ice right after gutting. If you smoke them try one of "Indian Candy" salmon recipes. (pure maple syrup the main difference) Ton more to learn and practice but this is a start.
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I too prefer the downriggers, not only because it is much more fun catching them on forgiving mono than lead core, but mainly because l.c. is not very precise. Trolling speed changes the depth, but with the downriggers and a good depth locator you can put the lure/bait right on them(or 1-2 feet above). I am convinced that flashers vs. dodgers, wedding rings vs. apex or triple teasers, plain shoepeg vs. scented, green vs. red, are not always all that important. The difference is usually whether you are on the fish or not, and trolling at the right speed. And when you are fishing for a fish that changes depth frequently that isn't always that easy. Don't you agree? Mike
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Totally agree, Mike. When you're on them everything seems to work lure wise. Usually the guys promoting different colors/types for depths, etc., are the ones selling their products which is fine. I had really good luck last year with smaller silver and gold beer can trolls with red prism tape cut to the shape of the blade. Still trying to improve my results with small dodgers which give you a better fight with less resistance.
Again, with f.f.'s, I spent my first year with a entry level finder (b&w) that came with my boat package. Good unit but did not point out the red arch of a Kokanee. So I'd nail them one time and get 2 or 3 the next. Even on my best days I'd get 8-9 good fish. Never knew where they were; figured they were just random around the lake similiar to trout. Once you've seen a big column (like up near the L.P. nursery outlet last year) or a line of them like they stack at A.R.'s Lime Creek area you can hammer them consistently; get your limit and home by noon in the case of L.P.
You're comment about L.C. line is right on. I get one occasionally on my rear line but the D.R.'s slay them. Light mono is fun on the small level winds. Looking forward to trying this new Tica I bought which compares to the Shimano Calcutta but a lot less money. Good fishing this season, Mike. I didn't make it out this last week due to honey-do's and other obligations but next week looks promising as does the wx.
A group of sail-board/wind-surfing guys are planning on installing a small weather station (with wind indicator) on that RV cover at the Barclay Bay host's position soon. A family friend of mine is the project guy. Once up, it will be available on the internet. I offered to donate as I'm sure other fishermen would; they have numerous pledges within there own group. Apparent only a few hundred buys a good, reliable unit. We'd benefit as well even though the two groups would be looking for opposite wind conditions. They like wind and we don't. Be nice to see current conditions before you head up the hill. Ideally, one at Barclay and one up by Spring Shores would give both locations (which can be quite different) but the Barclay Bay location will be a valuable tool. I'll post as soon as I find it up and know the specifics for accessing.
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Regarding Palli
es, those pics are fantastic. Beautiful fish; especially the big brown. I've driven by there many times.
Can you guys that fish it suggest camping areas nearby? I'd definitely like to try it this year.
That mounted pre-spawn male is a monster. What year was it taken? Are there still such lunkers around? I know koke sizes vary considerably from year to year.
Thanks for the great pics.
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That fish was taken I believe in 2001 or 2002. The stupid thing was my brother caught a female that was comperable in size 10 minutes earlier and we sent her back. It would have made a great pairing on the wall. I had to keep the male because I couldnt get over the "fangs" that the fish had that tore my fingers up as I was pulling the hook out of his mouth. I would presume that there are more fish like that up there, but in all of our ice fishing efforts, all we ever happened upon after that was the schools of 12-14 inchers. They are as rabid as the schools at Ririe or Mackay, only bigger. Very much a hoot when you get into them.
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I'm not a tackle rep or tester but you guys should check out the Rocky Mountain Tackle website. The dodgers and other gear are top notch. I'm the moderator on the Wyoming board, so I see a lot of Kokanee reports from Flaming Gorge. The RMT stuff is always catching kokes. I used their dodgers in front of a needlefish spoon in my Pali
es report. As for kokes in that lake, I dont hear of many guys getting them on a regular basis. Usualy by accident. As for kokes showing up as red on a color unit, fishfinders measure water density, any fish that is directly under your boat should show color....not just a black arch. The less color just means it is not in the center of the cone. If you go to Lowrance.com there is a tutorial on how fishfinders work. It is very, very useful. I'm not trying to stir the pot but when you see how they function, a 10lb fish just on the edge of the cone will show up as a small black arch. A 2lb cutt can be red, green and purple if it is right under the boat !!!!
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Thanks, jacksonlaker. I'll check out the site you mention. I can always use more dodgers, etc. I have 11 boxes full but 12 would naturally be better...
I think Kodiak is right on in his estimation of tackle. It pretty much all works when you're in the zone.
You're absolutely correct regarding f.f.'s. Whether Lowrance, Humminbird, Eagle, etc., they all can be set up to maximize the profile of Kokanee. I've owned both the first two but prefer the first. I set both depth parameters more narrowly than some guys and only use the sonar mode for the best arch depiction. Kokanee are unique in that they stack in lines and columns; at least in the lakes near here. Once you learn what they look like, it allows you to separate them from trout and other fish. They will consistently show at their temp range whereas trout are all over the place depending on species and habitat. By all means, stir the pot. I still have alot to learn.
My comments are hopefully helpful to guys starting out with Kokanee. I forever see other boats around me or at take out that just plow water; little or no fish to show for hours of trolling. (Usually without DR's) Really hit and miss operation without a few of the Kokanee basics.
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This is all great advice, and it is interesting to read, however, I was wondering if anyone could give advice to someone who lacks a boat.
How would you go after Kokanne then? Is there particular places there that are better to try first? What kind of tackle would you use when fishing from the bank? Are these rediculous questions given the fact that Kokanee seem somewhat elusive? Any thoughts on this would be quite welcome.
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As a retired teacher, I will tell you what I told many a student: there is no such thing as a ridiculous question!! Quite frankly, I wouldn't bother trying to catch kokanee from the shore. I fished Payette Lake hard for kokanee from 1958 on, and still fish for kokes in the Boise area, and I have never caught a kokanee from the bank. I can't recall ever seeing anyone else catch one from the bank. Plunking bait just doesn't work; kokanee feed primarily on minute zooplankton. That is why it is a mystery that they even hit lures or corn. Yes, ice fishermen do catch kokanee, but bank fishermen are rarely successful. I think you would be much more successful targeting trout from the shore. Good fishing! Mike
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Agree, Mike. Pretty much have to get out on the water and locate them. Lime Creek at Anderson Ranch might provide some exception? Ton of kokanee in that area as long as you are where the creek flows into the lake. I have a close friend that fished it for many years with his dad. He says they caught them along with trout on spinners. If you can get in an area where they are consistently concentrated at the right time, perhaps? The fall spawner's will hit flies, etc., occasionally but they're not much for eating. A few guys catch and release these in the fall. The creek is easily accessed except during low water and then it is a killer hike in and out. (I've done it for small mouth in late summer)
I have read online of guys that catch them drifting from canoes, fish cats, and float tubes; mostly by knowing where they hang out and then jigging for them. One guy has a square stern canoe complete with pontoons and a small outboard; rod holders, etc. Works good judging by his photos posted. He slays them.
My nephew has a house on Crown Point (Cascade) and catches them right at the creek inlet also but not sure those are kokanee but rather coho's? He says they are kokanee but to my knowledge, Cascade has Coho?
I've read also of occasional Kokanee caught by trout anglers at Lucky Peak but like Kodiak, I've personally never seen one on a stringer full of trout caught from the shore...
From a boater's perspective I can tell you they are mostly off the rock slides at Lucky Peak generally in water 15 to 40 feet. Not sure what luck you'd have maybe casting spinners in that water? Still seems it would be hit and miss at best without a boat.
Maybe someone knows a shore technique we're not aware of?
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Back when i was in college at BSU (93-95). We would occasionally catch a few but it was rare.
When I float tubed a resevoir near Bear Lake I got into them really well throwing a Rooster-tail. I wasn't targeting them but they were willing.
So I think a guy whowanted to catch them and had some smarts could do it regularly. I just lack the first part.
Good luck!
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Thanks for all the advice it really helps. I can't wait to get on the lake again but I have a new yard to put in (sprinklers grass tress everything) so I might not get out for a couple of weeks, I might make an exception if Henry's turns really hot for the opener. As for catching Kokanee from the shore I've caught a few of them from the shore at Rire fishing with worm and a bobber as a kid. We would by no means catch our limit we would maybe get lucky and hook one or two for every 3 hours of waiting.
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I also caught Kokes from the shore and few years back on Ashton Res with a red and white daredevil on the plant side of the dam, I was just tossing it out and letting it flutter down and they were smacking it on way down.
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