I'm heading up to Flaming Gorge on Sunday night and was planning on taking the 'toon to attempt to get into those Kokes that are going nuts right now. After reading up on some of the other boards, it seems like I might be barking up the wrong tree. I had also planned on throwing (er, sinking) flies to them, but I'll be damned if I can find anything on youtube or online about FG Koke flies.
Anyone have any experience going after them with a fly rod?
Thanks in advance,
TBD
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[cool][#0000ff]Of course it will be possible to catch them on flies. Simply a matter of finding them and properly presenting the right color at the right speed and the right depth. Easy...right?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Your electric motor better be working better than it was the last time we fished Lindon. Either that or you will need oars. That is a big lake and the fish can be anywhere...and are usually a long ways from shore. Now factor in the POTENTIAL wind and you are gonna have to be good...and lucky...good and lucky.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You also need good sonar to find the right depth, so you can present the flies in the zone. And of course the right line to sink them down there.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Lots of koke heads catch them on flies. But they are bright patterns usually fished behind a flasher and fished off a downrigger or on leadcore line. And they are trolled all over the lake...not cast and retrieve.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you need pics of patterns you can look up the Kokanut flies...made with a hot colored solid head and flashabou tinsel and glow bodies.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I used to tie some "KKK' flies for a couple of guys who did well with them. They are tandem hook flies that are worked behind big colorful blades. Never knew them to fish the flies flatline or without an attractor blade. Here's a pic.[/#0000ff]
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[inline "KKK (KRYSTAL KOKE KILLERS).jpg"]
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Years ago we used to hit the Gorge religiously. At that time we had a 20' boat. A couple friends met us up there and they had tubes. The first day they started to kick out and were probably 20 yards from shore and a 30'+ day cruiser comes zipping by and damn near hit them. I don't even think the guy realized what had almost happened, even after he passed them. Little bit of wave action, big boats and a big lake are not very friendly to tubers.
So if you try it, maybe get a divers flag or something that will make you stand out and these guys can see you.
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I have chased kokes with a fly and its more of a challenge of ones patience.
IMO your a couple months late doing it the kokes in the gorge have gone deeper.
April they where around 20 feet and could be caught on a fly a bit easier and time spent chasing them was also filled with bows..
Fly's with flash are a must same with fishing them tandem.
Sink line that will hit there depth is a given.
My strip on the kokes is about ten feet and there short pops.
No reason to strip out of there range strip 10 and let it sink again.
They will short strike you they will be fast on the bite and they will throw you if your lucky enough to find them...
Good luck
PS be on the defense with them boats a flag and air horn would be nice since the fair weather boaters are out and about...
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I had the best luck jigging for them at night, I wouldn't know how you could safely tube it at night, they will be closer to shore at night but still deep. I've caught them on a glow tube and meat while fishing for burbot.
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Thanks for the advice fella's, it's all good. Well, unfortunately I'm a glutton for punishment and the fact that everyone is telling me it's a bad idea pretty much seals the deal: I'm totally doing it. Picked up a type VII sinking line last night -- first sinking line I've ever owned in 20+ years of fly fishing -- and it is, uh, interesting to cast. Heavy sucker. My first attempt up at Smith Morehouse landed both flies in the center of my back. I let the dude @ FishTech (I always forget his name - younger guy, maybe early 30's - Matt?) lead me around by my wallet, and by the time I hit the register it was $154.00. DAMN. And I thought bass fishing was expensive.
Anyhow, we'll give it a go and report back if we survive. I also tied up some poppers to hopefully knock a few Smallies out in the morning -- that's still feasible, right?
Again, thanks for all your input in this thread and via PM's; I can't say it enough, but I really love this place.
TBD.
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