06-05-2015, 07:01 PM
Yesterday after work, my son and I headed up to Smith & Morehouse to get in some fishing and relax a bit. We arrived at about 4 pm and launched our 17 foot canoe from the boat ramp. There were just over a dozen or so people fishing from shore and two or three other vessels on the water. The water temp was 57 - 58 degrees. We spent the first little while on the south by the dam and the west bank south of the ramp.
My son had a silver and black small Rapalla, and I put on the same but a little larger. I don't know what small Kokanee Salmon look like, but since they just stocked a load of 2 inch Kikes, I though it was a good choice. I have an old Minn Kota trolling motor with a max of 28lbs of thrust on my canoe, which is nice to set in one direction and then just pay attention to fishing. We trolled at various speeds and fought the off and on windy conditions for about an hour with only 2 small trout. One for each of us.
I switched up my son's lure to a gold Jake's and I switched to a home made green bottle cap lure. I made a bunch of these in the winter and this was the first time I had the chance to try one. My good friend and fishing buddy kind of scoffed and chuckled when I told him I was making the. I caught two rainbows on it in about 45 minutes. my son pulled in a rainbow on the Jake's. We headed along the west bank toward the inlet. Saw a number of fine people catching and fishing along the way. We dropped anchor and fished in 15 feet of water about 200 yards south of the inlet. There was another couple, a gentleman and his wife, set up in their inflatable raft closer to the inlet and I did not want to crowd them.
We cast all sorts of lures here for a while and pulled in maybe 3 more fish. All small (between 9 - 12 inches is my best guess). As the sun crept below the west mountain ridge, the wind died down. My son had to be home by 8 to visit his friend's father in the hospital. It was a beautiful and peaceful evening. We saw a Moose running up the access road ahead of an RV. I am always amazed at how huge those things are up close. We let all the fish we caught go since they weren't really big or plump enough to make a meal.
My son and I haven't been fishing together for 3 years, so it was a cherished time together. I am excited to fish there in a couple of years when the Kokanee might be reaching a good size. I always enjoy fishing this little piece of heaven whether the fishing is hot or slow. I am getting better with just enjoying the process and experience and not dwelling so much on how many fish I get. Don't get me wrong, I love to catch, but I have taken away form a few great trips because of my attitude if you know what I mean.
We pulled out about 7:30. If my son didn't have to go, I wiould have stayed another hour or so. Chatted a little with the couple that was at the inlet when we were both pulling out our rigs at the ramp. they had some nice trout that were good sized that they kept and were cleaning, and they also caught and released an Arctic Greyling. First one for them. man I love fishing! Sorry I don't have any pics to share.
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My son had a silver and black small Rapalla, and I put on the same but a little larger. I don't know what small Kokanee Salmon look like, but since they just stocked a load of 2 inch Kikes, I though it was a good choice. I have an old Minn Kota trolling motor with a max of 28lbs of thrust on my canoe, which is nice to set in one direction and then just pay attention to fishing. We trolled at various speeds and fought the off and on windy conditions for about an hour with only 2 small trout. One for each of us.
I switched up my son's lure to a gold Jake's and I switched to a home made green bottle cap lure. I made a bunch of these in the winter and this was the first time I had the chance to try one. My good friend and fishing buddy kind of scoffed and chuckled when I told him I was making the. I caught two rainbows on it in about 45 minutes. my son pulled in a rainbow on the Jake's. We headed along the west bank toward the inlet. Saw a number of fine people catching and fishing along the way. We dropped anchor and fished in 15 feet of water about 200 yards south of the inlet. There was another couple, a gentleman and his wife, set up in their inflatable raft closer to the inlet and I did not want to crowd them.
We cast all sorts of lures here for a while and pulled in maybe 3 more fish. All small (between 9 - 12 inches is my best guess). As the sun crept below the west mountain ridge, the wind died down. My son had to be home by 8 to visit his friend's father in the hospital. It was a beautiful and peaceful evening. We saw a Moose running up the access road ahead of an RV. I am always amazed at how huge those things are up close. We let all the fish we caught go since they weren't really big or plump enough to make a meal.
My son and I haven't been fishing together for 3 years, so it was a cherished time together. I am excited to fish there in a couple of years when the Kokanee might be reaching a good size. I always enjoy fishing this little piece of heaven whether the fishing is hot or slow. I am getting better with just enjoying the process and experience and not dwelling so much on how many fish I get. Don't get me wrong, I love to catch, but I have taken away form a few great trips because of my attitude if you know what I mean.
We pulled out about 7:30. If my son didn't have to go, I wiould have stayed another hour or so. Chatted a little with the couple that was at the inlet when we were both pulling out our rigs at the ramp. they had some nice trout that were good sized that they kept and were cleaning, and they also caught and released an Arctic Greyling. First one for them. man I love fishing! Sorry I don't have any pics to share.
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