Fishing Forum

I posted this under Ririe report in response to another members question. I didn't think to start a thread cuz my brain is still frozen

Yes I fished Big Elk. Fairly slow but several very nice kokanee and C&R 3 cutts. I ran into a few which have fished the main Res at Big and Little Elk and had better action but ice wasn't as thick and with the lower water level you have to scale the bank. Not too deep of snow yet so not too bad hiking. Big elk cove is way low


In addition ice is 8-10" in most places in the cove but edges are bad. Looks like in one spot someone tried to go out and fell through near the shore as it seemed you could make out where they went in, broke through and propped themselves on the ice, and crawled out back to shore. I'm likely not going back unless I go see the in laws near swan valley. The kokes are good sized when you do get into them but lots of chubs, suckers, and occassional cuts to fill voids.

10-12 ft anything pink or orange worked well.....humans 16, jawjacker 0 (in all fairness I didn't set the trip right the first time and then the hole almost froze solid).
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thanks for the report. I am hoping to catch some kokes and I need some sucker and chub for the burbot bash. -13 in Alpine this morning.
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Fished Big Elk bay yesterday afternoon,caught three .This cutthroat was the biggest
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That's much bigger then any cutt we landed. The hike down and up is a bear so pack lightly if anyone goes again
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Nice trout , looking at your picture it looks like a guy could get around on a 4 wheeler . Is the ice thick enough ? Curt G.
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You couldn't get a sled or quad down to the water.....way too low. The walk down isn't so bad it's coming up with your gear that is a little rough
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Thanks for your answer . I know it is to steep at Big Elk . I was thinking maybe Blowout . Not as steep there . Curt G.
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Further down Indian Creek would get you out with a four wheeler although I have no clue about the ice. The reservoir is only backed up to about there right now.
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Thanks for the info . Trying to decide between Palaes od Island Park . Curt G.
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It's not ready for any 4 wheelers yet. I wouldn't even think about it!
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Thanks for the information . I will wait a bit . Curt G.
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Be real careful at the edges,it is soft wet and deep quick at big Elk. Also noticed a lot of variation in thickness and hardness of ice. There is 2" of hard clear with frozen slush up to good solid 8" hard and clear but the edge was soft everywhere except where it had been tracked and packed.We have had two more cold days since I was there but we are now in a warmer pattern and with raising water levels I expect the edge to continue to be a problem.If I go again I am going to donate some planks to the cause over there.
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