View Full Version : Suttle Report
moknots
04-28-2008, 08:14 AM
Well after two Saturdays in a row of 41 degree water and ZERO kokanee action, I decided to stay home and get some work done. Then I hear Marshworm and Slamonslayer2 limited out on Saturday (WTG guys, and THANK YOU for reporting!)..... argg, my typical timing, you need to be here next week! Quick change of plans had me out Sunday am with Noknots (my brother in law). Our CKC (classic kokanee cabincruiser) still needs to coats of fiberglass on the new floor, so we 'tooned it.
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/fishing_trip_suttle_lake_002.JPG
We travel light on the pontoon boat, no downriggers, no thermos, no portapottie, but we do strap on a Lowrance 337C:D. No camera on board, so I'll just have to tell you the water was FAC, and it was sunny.
Surface temp was up to 44, up only 3 degrees, but enough, along with high and stable barometer. These guys were ready to eat something. But it's too cold for plankton and not many bugs yet, so they had to eat .... jigs.
Wide open bite, one the best I've ever experienced. I usually miss the first feeding frenzy of the year, and have to resort to bait fishing for early season limits, but we hit it this time. They were hitting a cast Gibbs Minnow and the Aufish swim jig in pink and white, dressed with a little ProCure Krill jell. Takes were on the fall, anywhere from the surface to near bottom. Chaos ensued !!!!
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/fishing_trip_suttle_lake_009.JPG
The fish ... ah, finally, Suttle worth fishing again. Smallest we kept was 11.5", the largest 13.5 -- bright, fat and hard bodied. A couple of them had alderfly larva (the first thing I find in them, year after year), but most had empty stomachs. On a bug note, I was back home sitting in the sun on the deck with Mrs Moknots, thinking about BBQing some kokes, when I notice a small swarm of midges hatching off our pond -- the first midges of the season. My guess is that will put midges (the first big food source for Suttle kokes) about another 2 weeks or so away up at the lake. My theory, right or wrong, is that a big midge hatch causes a big drop in jigging productivity because the fish finally have something to eat that doesn't bite back.
We did manage to get a FRG style "board meeting" organized, so here's the parting shot. Lets see some reports you guys.
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/fishing_trip_suttle_lake_017.JPG
FallRiverGuy
04-28-2008, 08:31 AM
Nice job! Now I wish I had not made plans that could not be changed. That is a killer picture. It sure looks like Suttle will be one of the lakes to fish.
That does it, yard work can wait until Sunday, Saturday will be Suttle.:meme:
nwsoftball
04-28-2008, 10:35 AM
That does it, yard work can wait until Sunday, Saturday will be Suttle.:meme:
I thought that was you. I was in the White Duckworth. I had anchored up fairly close to you outside of the downed tree, and a guy in a orange t-shirt pulled in right between us. Crowded me up some. But I got three before we got blown off. Seemed like I got there as the bite was dwindling.
jzell
04-28-2008, 12:39 PM
Excellent report Mo. Love the iced kokes shot best of all.
53 days,
jz
wanafish
04-28-2008, 02:30 PM
Good report and great pic! Haven't fished Suttle in many years. Looks like I'll have to give it another try someday. Thanks again for posting!:applause:
fish-on-bend
04-28-2008, 03:04 PM
Very nice Mike! Thanks for holding back when we went.:jester:
Aufish101
04-28-2008, 03:23 PM
Great report! That's what I need to get my *** out of town! That's some good eating and smoking!
Glade you finally got the jigs to work. Pink/White has always been good there.
Aufish101 http://members.aol.com/garyk10/images/poisson_39.gif
Dullhook
04-28-2008, 04:25 PM
Thank you plus Marshworm and Salmonslayer2 for your reports. :applause: Have obligations this weekend but if the weather's decent and Link Creek campground is open it's a go the following week. It's been a long Winter! :excited:
Hey Dull, the campground does not open for camping until May 16th, at least I hope it does, I have spot 10 reserved for that weekend.
What did it look like to you gents that were up there this weekend, besides WHITE I mean...
Salmonslayer2
04-28-2008, 04:48 PM
The camp ground is open but no water. My wife went with me today and we caught them all none left. lol! We took home 50 I will smoke them tonight. It took us two hours and we had them all. Good luck
Larry
Dullhook
04-28-2008, 04:50 PM
Hey Dull, the campground does not open for camping until May 16th, at least I hope it does, I have spot 10 reserved for that weekend.
Thanks for the heads-up partner. Might have to put it off another week unless I squeeze Wickiup in between. If not hope to see you there! :wave:
Thanks for the info.
We have never smoked although we have a smoker, just fillet and vacume freeze. I think I will smoke the limit I catch this Saturday if I can find a good recipe.
I guess the campground is open now, but when I called for reservations they said it did not open until mid may. Maybe that is just when they will let you start reserving.
Anyway, anyone going up on May 16-17-18, I will be in spot ten with the coffee on.
Dullhook
04-28-2008, 04:55 PM
Thank you guys for the info. Can do without the water but hopin' there's still a few fish left! :D
fish-on-bend
04-28-2008, 05:50 PM
I believe I will switch my plans from Odell to Suttle for Friday this week. Do ya think thats a good idea?:D
FISHON67
04-28-2008, 06:03 PM
Nice report Moknots, you gotta love those board meetings! It looks like this was THE weekend to be at Suttle. I knew I should have gone out.
Oh well, now I have a reason to head out this weekend.
:cheers:
SilverBullets
04-28-2008, 07:38 PM
WOW! Talk about practicing what you preach!! :bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:
Bob57
04-28-2008, 08:27 PM
Wow good job teach, I guess you do practice what you preach.
Bob
joemomma
04-28-2008, 08:40 PM
I believe I will switch my plans from Odell to Suttle for Friday this week. Do ya think thats a good idea?:D
I'll let ya know. I'll be there thursday!:D
Salmonslayer2
04-28-2008, 09:02 PM
Thanks for the info.
We have never smoked although we have a smoker, just fillet and vacume freeze. I think I will smoke the limit I catch this Saturday if I can find a good recipe.
This is what I use and it is simple and everyone loves it. I lay a single layer of kokanee fillets in a plastic container. I use Morton Tender Quick and sprinkle Tender Quick on the kokanee untill they are starting to turn white. Then sprinkle some brown sugar on. Then start over with another layer untill you are all done. Then put the fish in the refrigator for about 2 hours. Then rinse the fish off with cold water. Then they are ready to smoke. Enjoy
Larry
this board rocks!!!:applause: thanks for that report Moknots, I will be joining FOB this weekend, hope their still bitin!!!
marshworm
04-30-2008, 08:54 PM
joemomma, see ya up on the water thursday!
moknots
04-30-2008, 09:16 PM
Thursday?? Isn't that a little extreem? Can't you have a little compassion for those that have to work? See you there!
joemomma, see ya up on the water thursday!
byebyeducky
05-01-2008, 07:41 AM
I'll be there Sunday in a 16' blue and white sylvan. Bringing one friend. I hope my first trip this year is successful! Either way, a day on the lake is enjoyable! :excited:
Say Hi, and feel free to give me some tips if you see me :D
If Santiam pass conditions allow it I will be there on Saturday, 16' Alumaweld and I suspect Marshworm will also be there.
As I stood in Safeway this morning picking up some white corn a horrible thought crossed my mind. With all the corn that is now going into ethynol production, will the supply of white corn dwindle away?:passout: Hopefully, our government and the oil companies understand that fishing is much more important than cheap or cleaner burning fuel.
Maybe we should start looking for a substitute for corn? Like white corn, the replacement would have to be almost inedible to humans, so my recommendations would be grits, beets or tofu.:laugh:
Now we just have to figure out how to keep them on a hook:wink:
marshworm
05-01-2008, 09:16 PM
DLM your suspecting is a truthdom! The pass was a tiny bit snotty thursday morning but nothing you can't handle. Should be okay saturday morn. see ya up there. PM me.
Two Fister
05-02-2008, 12:08 AM
Be careful on the pass on Saturday. From NOAA weather for Santiam Pass:
Overnight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Friday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a low around 31. West wind between 7 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. West wind between 9 and 13 mph.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. North northwest wind between 7 and 13 mph.