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My wife and I got up at 2am on Monday and left at 3am for the 3 hour drive to the Gorge. We arrived at Buckboard a little after 6am and after getting on ONLY CHILD’s boat we were off. We headed over to Breezy hills and dropped the rigger balls down to 70ft, with the stackers 10ft above. We had the first fish on within minutes using a Kokanee Creek tackle, Black Pearl spinner. We caught a few later with a pearl squid but by in large the majority of the kokes were caught on the spinners. For the next hour we caught the kokes fairly steady with the White Knight being the second best lure for the day. A lot of the kokes were still silver but we did catch a few hook jaw males that were bright red. I’ve always wanted a pic of a big red koke so I keep one for the smoker and got a few pics. I forgot my camera, so Art was nice enough to take a few pics . We were off the water by 2pm and dreading the long drive home. I made it to the Little America outside Green River before I started dosing off, so I decided it was better to let the wife drive, instead of falling asleep at the wheel. Well, we made it home fine, then came the job of making the brine and getting the filets in it. I was out of soy sauce so I used teriyaki sauce instead and I think they came out good. Since I don’t have any pics of my red koke, I took a couple of the smoked kokes. All in all it was a good day and nice to get out one more time before the koke season closes for the year at the Gorge. I had always heard the red kokes were mushy but when smoked they taste great. Thanks Art and Karen for the nice day on the lake.
WH2
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Sounds like you had a good trip, hope your wife enjoyed it as well. Sorry I couldn't make it, but had to go find an elk with son-in-law. The smoked salmon will make the long trip worthwhile.
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Great report WH. Sounds like a "long" fun trip. Been neglecting my riggers all this year, and those smoked kokes sure make me sorry for it! Sounds like you got on some good action! Nice to know what worked.
So guessing they've got a bit more size than your little piggies?
Looks like you've got a top-loading smoker rack? I picked up a Little Chief electric, but think it must need a new heat element. I've preferred by propane Campchef, but like keeping the options open.
Just got a Jerky gun - and took a first stab at some beef jerky. Now thinking I might need to consider trying some fish-jerky sometime too.
Thanks for the report. Glad you kept it safe driving!
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Great report Curt. A "turn-n-burn" that one has got to be very painful. At least it would be fore me. Heck, I did that once without the drvie back and could hardly function or cary on a conversation. Good read ...
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We did it a few times during those first burbot fishing trips but it sure makes for a long day. It seems for me the first half isn't too bad but the second half of the day, is the burn part.[crazy]
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Yes, the Gorge kokes are huge compared to the pig kokanee. The ones we caught were between 18 and 22". Yes, I've got a top loading Little Chief electric as well, I've had good luck with mine so I haven't thought of trying anything else. I know Pat some some awesome smoked catfish, have you tried any?
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Looks Delicious!!!
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I did get a chance to try some of Pat's smoked kitty when Lavaman and I took a visit to review the Tackleorium, and learn that all that glitters is not gold - much of it starts from lead!
Purchased a few custom jigs and lures to chase a few fish with. Or they other way around! But I know understand what you told me about the wall of planos!
Had a chance to try some cookie cutters in my smoker this spring, and thought it went pretty good.
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=677219;#677219"]Here's what Lunker[/url] thought about it.
I think it's especially when I get into bigger roasts or ribs - where a mopping along the way is needed - having a hinged door makes it easy to check/see what's happening on the inside.
