Kokanee @ Ririe

[robertferlan]

Hey everyone I was just looking for some info when do the Kokanee start spawning? I would like to get up there at least one more time before they start to spawn.
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[Fishbouy]

They usually start turning red mid to late July, so you are probably too late. I was up there Saturday morning had some hits nothing in the boat. A month ago it was fish on. Heard of folks catching them real deep 70' though, didn't work for me?
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[fallsfish]

Last Thursday a friend and I caught 15 and kept six. One of them was 14 inches and had a hooked jaw and had adsorbed all its scales. The fish wasn't real red though. Most of the fish were caught in 50-60 foot of water. I imagine they will go into full spawn mode within a week to ten days.

The fishing will pickup again in late September and October. Mostly small ones though.

Good luck.
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[Steelie30]

Are most of the Kokanee headed towards Willow Creek at this time? We have been fishing smallmouths with poppers on a fly and it has been a blast. So many good options up at Ririe, lucky to have it so close.
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[psanders71]

We were out on Friday last week and ended up taking 16 home... a nice mix of smaller ones for the grill and some larger ones that were a little blushed for the smoker. Did catch a few that were really as well. Caught them all from about 40 down to 70, with a majority on pink wiggle hoochies behind sling blades. We fished between the dam and the power lines the entire time and seemed to see plenty on the finder.

Also got one perch while trolling for the kokes... still blows my mind that they will suspend like that!

Paul
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[robertferlan]

Thanks everyone for the reports guess we will try and get up there in the next day or so try and catch something, maybe go after the bass and perch. Has anyone had any luck getting into any of the walleye?
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[Steelie30]

The walleye have proved tricky for me. I have heard the same for most other anglers. I have caught one and it was in Willow Creek. Almost in the creek.

They are there, but not in enough numbers to really target. The one I caught was about 16 inches. I enjoy fishing for bass more than anything in Ririe. Pound per Pound those smallies might be the toughest fish around. Lots of fun on fly rods.
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[psanders71]

Tried it again for a bit this morning... 1 Rainbow, 3 Perch and 7 Kokanee (1tomato)... Ended up getting them on plain leader with a few beads and pink hooks behind a sling blade down 50 to 65 feet. Tipped with spiked shoepeg.

Ospreys were doing real well and were entertaining to watch!

Very few pleasure boats was an added bonus!!!

As far as the walleye in Ririe... I has never caught or even seen one, but I hear they are in there for sure. The way the perch suspend in there, I would imagine the eyes would be doing the same thing!

Paul
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[MMDon]

The 2 year old Kokanee should be on the chew. 30 to 40 feet off the sides of the deep holes. They have to be up in the water column to feed on plankton. This is the time of year we always shift gears and move to the next generation of silver bullets. Fish green glow or blue/purple. Copper works great on the 2 year old fish as well.
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[psanders71]

Thanks for that feedback, MMDon... Will have to give that a try next time out. Maybe one evening this next week!

Paul
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