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My brother and I want to make a trip out to the George for some big fish, but before we go we really want to know what we're doing first. I haven't been out and iced flaming George but have tried in the summer for lakers. I still have not had success but I have managed to catch some big bows. I would appreciate any information on how to ice the lake trout with information about where to go, how deep, what lb test and what size jigs. I was thinking of just using big tube jigs but possibly there is also better jigs to use. We may just stay there all night for two days attempting to finally catch the big one. Thanks everyone
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http://www.flaminggorgefishin.com/
Give Ashley a call. He knows that lake and is one of the few guides that still fish in the winter. He'll put you on the big fish.
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Does he guide at fish lake and the gorge?? Or just the gorge?
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Copy and paste from his website.
Addictive Fishing, LLC is owned and operated by Captain Ashley Bonser. Ashley is a licensed USCG Captain and is permitted under Buckboard Marina and the U.S. Forest Service/Ashley National Forest on Flaming Gorge WY/UT. Ashley specializes in trophy Lake Trout, Kokanee Salmon and Ling fishing. If it swims at the Gorge, he can help you catch it. Open Water or Ice Fishing.
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I'm not exactly wanting to be guided or spend money to go find a fish. We just wanna know the general area and ice conditions and usual depth for fishing them so we can go out and give it a shot on our own.
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good luck getting mack info from anyone on this site.
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You and everyone else. Mac fishing isn't an overnight sensation, its a lifestyle. It's months scouring the reservoir trying to learn where these monsters of the deep like to roam. It's weeks trying to find the right fish that is even remotely interested in your offering. It's days spent trying to be so perfect in your presentation that you finally fool one of these giants. It's hours of constant focus and 1 second where your mind wanders to a passing boat or flying Osprey and BONK, you missed your chance.
This is why it's usually years before you ever catch the giant heartache that you chase.
Go to the very north end of the reservoir, put on a jig and some sucker meat, catch burbot and laker pups if you're not willing to make the sacrifice of what it takes to pursue world class lake trout with any regularity.
Jim Williams was my mentor 4 years ago and continues to be to this day. This year I landed five fish over 30 lbs on my own. I will still take a trip each year with him because he has almost 30 years of experience on the lake. His information is nearly priceless.
You might catch one wandering aimlessly by yourself, I honestly hope you do, but your years ahead to take the advice of someone who has lived it.
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Well When I catch one on my own I'll let y'all know. There's a sense of pride and joy when you can do something on your own. Plus I feel it would be funner and more of a challenge than being guided. Which is why I fish and hunt with friends and family rather than guides and I learn by my own mistakes. Im up for the challenge and adventure
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Says the guy whose greatest fishing catch is a 40 pound halibut and almost a King Salmon. Doubt you didn't have a guide in Alaska when you caught your greatest catch ever. We all too love to fish on our own, that's why we still do. Last I checked, all Educational Institutions make you pay for their information. Think of this the same.
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I can very much understand your sense of pride and fulfillment in learning to catch any fish from any water on your own. I know, because I've done that for much of my life. Learning is a lot of the fun. Figuring something out, or thinking you have, is a quick little buzz.[cool]
But at the same time, I then have to wonder why you would make a post on a public forum asking for, "information about where to go, how deep, what lb test and what size jigs." I mean, if you want to have the "sense of pride and enjoyment when you can do something on your own," why would you want to ruin it with someone telling you where to go, how deep to fish, what line to use, and what jig? Heck, then all you got to do is go there, drop it down there, and fish-on! Anybody can do that, no sense of pride there. Why even bother, its automatic.[laugh]
Ya can't have it both ways.[blush]
And at risk of ruining your experience, I'd suggest fishing the north end of the lake where there will soon be ice (None yet except WAY up there). Try the Anvil Draw to Holmes area. 50-100 feet deep. Use 12 or 15lb. line and some 4-7" tube jigs like you've already suggested. White is a good color (Bonus tip!)
And please, please, release any lake trout you catch over a few pounds. They grow very slowly (a pound a year, on average), they are caught and released over and over again (just look at their hook-scarred mouths), and simply are not enough of a renewable resource to be harvested in larger sizes. Let the ones that have made it keep growing and keep providing fun for others.
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I have to agree with everyone else here. Ash and tarponjim are experts when it comes to that lake. Most of the large fish have been around for 20+ years and have seen almost every trick in the book so if ANYTHING is less than perfect they wont bite. Just a blip on the fish finder and then gone. That being said I am a die hard DIY guy and as a result have spent 20+ days fishing that particular body of water without catching a single fish out of the 'pup' range. If you're ok with that then great, but to be honest every time I go with the price of gas being what it is I could have probably been guided by now and at least gotten into some decent fish without spending any more than I already have. Maybe I'm planning on saving up and biting the bullet next year. I'd rather not lose any more sleep about what I'm doing wrong. But hey, take it for what it's worth.
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I second tarponjim,
I don't second anything the other gentlemen have to offer.
The grand masters of the Mac , probly don't want their secret spot reveled.....
You have to be very very carefull what is talked about on this forum, when it comes to lake trout . In fact I have had a handful of threads deleted , while in arguments with lake trouters.
And dont forget the number one rule for lake trout in this state, that big lakers must be realesed.
Wich is why no one really posts pics of them any more , cuz they will be hounded if they realesed the fish or not 
Good luck
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I will second Ash. He has put us on fish and was a pleasure to be with. I am planning on heading out with him again this year. I have never fished with Jim, but he also has a great reputation.
Hiring a guide can save lots of time and money if you are going to buy tons of gear that you don't need.
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I agree with all of you, I didn't mean to sound like a jerk. And yeah that is true I had to have a guide in Alaska who was my uncle who lives there and his friend but my dad gave me that trip for high school graduation and I don't have much money with college expenses now, yep I have to pay to learn and it sucks haha. But yeah I may have to go and try for the burbot first and try for a lil deeper water for kicks. I forget how deep that lake is since it takes forever to freeze. Will only the north part in Wyoming freeze? And I understand why people wouldn't give other people their good info on how to catch these amazing fish. I probably wouldn't just give people my secret spots or techniques either so that is understandable . And that makes sense too that it costs a lot to travel out there and you minus well buy the guide for the first time or two. I probably shouldn't have asked I should just go and wing it or I might take a guide after next summer when I save up. Lucky for us that gas isn't super bad in the winter months so I may take a couple over night trips out there and catch burbot and try for some lakers. Thank you guys for your info and I will let you know how I do when we go, if we do. If not I'll keep trying to catch a big cutt or rainbow out of the berry haha.
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The guy was just asking for some tips or to be pointed in the right direction. No reason everyone needs to give him such a hard time. Isn't that what this forum mostly consists of, people helping each other or asking for advice? I know people don't like just giving away information to anyone on fish that are so hard to catch but you can't blame him for asking. If you don't want to give away any secrets then don't but there is no reason everyone needs to jump on his case for asking.
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Ha Ha!!! I love it....
Be carefull, if you get a big one you will be ruined! You will spend lots of money and vacation and it will take over your life. I guess its better than being hooked on drugs but, it is very addicting. You will think about it all the time and it will consume you.
You really should have respect for the big ones and let them go. They take forever to get big (30plus years). I also think you will get good Karma from the fish gods and they may let you have another!!!!
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[quote outdoorsman1]Be carefull, if you get a big one you will be ruined! You will spend lots of money and vacation and it will take over your life. I guess its better than being hooked on drugs but, it is very addicting. [#0000bf]You will think about it all the time and it will consume you[/#0000bf].[/quote]
Man, ain't that the truth!
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If you have a wheeler or snowmobile you will have a better chance there are mack runs, If you look from above the lake it won't be a secret where the fish are there is plenty of room you don't have to crowd anyone. You want both lures and a dead stick. bring a camera, there is no honer in killing an old fish for no reason, picks make better bragging anyway, they last longer and the pups are better eating. the big ones don't usually hang out with the pups so you need to decide if you'd rather fish for trophy's or catch fish, good luck
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[quote Jordanporritt]The guy was just asking for some tips or to be pointed in the right direction. No reason everyone needs to give him such a hard time for asking. ... there is no reason everyone needs to jump on his case for asking.[/quote]
It's interesting to me to read such requests as Fishn_Wasatch's request for information. It is no different than me wanting that kind of information about some of my bucket list fishing trips. So I understand his post. However, as someone who has hired a guide a time or two, spent a little time and money chasing them, and actually boating a few of those beautiful beasts, I can fully understand the responses of many of the replies here.
I was quite surprised to see so many tips provided by local pro TarponJim. Those pointers are excelent starting points. I would add one more thing ... get a copy of the Fish-n-Map Co. for Flaming Gorge.
But really, like others here, I would HIGHLY recomend that Fishn_Wasatch hook up with a guide or someone that is successful at catching Gorge lakers. Reading, research, watching videos, and getting advice here on BFT does provide some information on how to catch them but NOTHING like fishing along side a reputable guide.
--- Coot ---
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[quote Old_Coot][quote outdoorsman1]Be carefull, if you get a big one you will be ruined! You will spend lots of money and vacation and it will take over your life. I guess its better than being hooked on drugs but, it is very addicting. [#0000bf]You will think about it all the time and it will consume you[/#0000bf].[/quote]
Man, ain't that the truth![/quote]
I caught my first big one a couple of weeks ago and I will never be the same. I have done a bunch of research on lakers since then, it takes a long time to grow a big laker and those big ones can get fished out of a lake in a hurry. We have some fragile lake trout fisheries here in Utah so I can understand why people around here are so secretive about their laker fishing.
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