Only 4 more days!

FallRiverGuy · 04-23-2007, 02:10 PM

Only 4 more days to wait until the start of Kokanee season in the high Cascades. Anyone else biting at the bit to get out and catch some fresh Kokanee? I�ll likely fight the crowds Saturday to fish Wickiup to see what kind of shape those fish are in. I am hoping for a big fish year.

But if the Crescent fish are like last years, I�ll be making the run over there. The weather looks to be mild this weekend which will be perfect. I can already smell the Kokanee on the BBQ. I have been having visions of my rod doing the Kokanee dance in the rod holder.

Reel_Big_Fish · 04-23-2007, 02:15 PM

I have yet to catch, let alone eat one of those buggers. Then again, I don't have a boat to get out and try for them. Good luck out there!

FishnMike · 04-23-2007, 02:18 PM

Even though we have a lot going on down here in Calif right now (stripers, kings, trout) I can't wait to start chasing kokes. We caught one yesterday while fishing for landlock kings and I was tickled pink even though it was half the size of the kings we were catching.

FishnMike

Phish Phinder · 04-23-2007, 02:24 PM

I'm going crazy just thinking about it. This will be my firt official year chasing Kokes (got the boat at the end of the season last year). I've spent the whole winter tying up rigs, shopping and reading every piece of info that's on the net. I'll be missing the opening, but will hit Wickiup the second weekend with some friends. Should be a blast.

Dullhook · 04-23-2007, 04:14 PM

Can't wait either FRG. Hoping to get over to Wickiup (weather permitting) the Wednesday after opening. Odell, Crescent, and Paulina are on the agenda this spring too.

Your pics really get the fire burning. Hope to see you at one of the lakes again this spring!

wanafish · 04-23-2007, 04:15 PM

Hey Brian! Will be up there in mid may but am without a boat at the moment. Soon though, very soon! By the way there are no kokanee in Crescent

Looking forward to your report at Wickiup. Go get um. ( did I mention there are NO kokanee at Crescent?)

PullShootExplode · 04-23-2007, 05:12 PM

Hey Brian, like most openeres it will more likely than not snow. Hope you have fun and that second pic is a pig.

Jedcraft · 04-24-2007, 06:23 AM

Planning a four day trip to Wickiup the 2nd weekend. Hope it's sunny.
Will be in dark blue 23' NR-swing by for a cool one!

jzell · 04-24-2007, 11:02 AM

This year I'm letting them grow some before the first trip. Gonna drive a little farther up that same road and learn a new (to me) lake which has a variety of species to catch.

"Patience grasshopper"....they'll be there only fatter.

Also my theme for Kokes this year....UV and the FWG system.

John

FallRiverGuy · 04-24-2007, 12:22 PM

John,

I have a few of the UV stuff to try as well. Did you see the UV skirts that Uncle Larry now sells thru Kokaneemart?

I'll be interested to see how the FWG system works for you. I am not sure I want to pony up that kind of money. The idea of following ROY-G-BIV with increasing depth is, however, something worth exploring.

Phish Phinder · 04-24-2007, 03:07 PM

I'll be trying some of the UV Apexes as well. I'm holding out for the bulk UV skirts though. Sounds like a couple places will have the Rocky Mountain skirts in 5 packs soon. I'll try those later in the season.

FallRiverGuy · 04-24-2007, 06:23 PM

I too am waiting for the 5 pack to become available. But I did buy one from RMT just to try. If it is hot I'll be waiting for the 5 pack.

jzell · 04-24-2007, 07:42 PM

Brian,

Just got off the phone with Gary Gordon and am going to give his system a go. He thinks UV is a fad that will die and that glow and flourescent is the way to go. He also says his system has a place in catching other species. So, since the wife is generally in the boat with me, it will be (at times) UV versus glow/flo this summer. As far as the cost, well easy come easy go. Gary has posted some very interesting threads on the sniffer. He seems like someone who has done a lot of color research.

Also, yes Uncles Larrys hoochie tube shape looks good....worth a try.

John

CptCatchem · 04-25-2007, 04:45 AM

Hey BrianI have a retirement party to go to this weekend so won't get to make the opener. Looking forward to a fish size report from Wickiup

Give em Heck !!!Deral

FallRiverGuy · 04-25-2007, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzell

... it will be (at times) UV versus glow/flo this summer.

I'll be playing around much more with glow/flo this summer as well.

Phish Phinder · 04-25-2007, 07:58 AM

I don't think UV is necessarily a fad, but I do think the conditions would have to be just right for it to work effectively. I'm still curious as to how far those UV rays will penetrate into the water. I'm a little skeptical as well, but after reading some of the stories on the Sniffer I figure it's worth a shot. Heck, I've always got my RGT's and flourescent spinners as a back up.

FallRiverGuy · 04-25-2007, 08:19 AM

Just like any other lure, my my guess is that UV will have a place in the tackle box. People in California have been having too much success with it to be a fad. It will be interesting to see how deep it works and if it is more productive early and late, or mid-day. It might work well deep in places like Crescent and Paulina where the water is clear. But who knows as we can’t ask the fish what they see, only what they bite.

PP, have you used any of the hoochie mamas around here?

FishnMike · 04-25-2007, 09:29 AM

There has been a big disscusion going on down here in Calif about UV versus glo verus flour. versus etc. And what it all comes down to is kokes will hit what kokes will hit. If UV is working for you, great, it doesn't matter that someone says it won't work or is a fad.

Sometimes we try to set rules to natural systems based on how we precieve things. We've all heard that reds are the first color to turn grey at depth so those should be less effective when fishing deep. However I often experience major differences in success between the colors orange, red and pink when fishing 80 plus feet deep. But "common sense" tells us all three of those colors should just be grey at that depth. So somethign else is going on besides how we precieve things.

Like I said eariler, if you find something that works for you, it doesn't really matter that someone else has said it won't work.

FishnMike

FallRiverGuy · 04-25-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishnMike

We've all heard that reds are the first color to turn grey at depth so those should be less effective when fishing deep. However I often experience major differences in success between the colors orange, red and pink when fishing 80 plus feet deep. But "common sense" tells us all three of those colors should just be grey at that depth. So somethign else is going on besides how we precieve things.

Well stated Mike. I have seen an orange lure fish different than the same lure, but older or newer, thus a different dye lot, out fish the other 5 to 1 when jigging in 100 ft of water. If they are all grey, then the fish are keying onto different and very subtle shades of grey.

Phish Phinder · 04-25-2007, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallRiverGuy

PP, have you used any of the hoochie mamas around here?

I'm going to try this year. I'll try the RGT's with a Mack's smile blade. Sounds like that's been pretty effective.

Regarding the color at depth thing. I've read lot's of reports about guys catching fish deep with oranges and reds. Are the fish just locating by sound/vibration or sight? I wonder. Whose to say that red turning gray down deep isn't creating a nice contrast against background colors. They might not be hitting it because they like the color at all, it might just stand out well. I'm going to be doing all kinds of experimenting this year. I'm still a rookie anyway.

FishnMike · 04-25-2007, 11:19 AM

Phish,

I would think if its just the vibration then color wouldn't matter at all. Sometimes very minor changes in color make a huge difference.

The experimentation is the fun part with kokes and that's the part I really like. I like trying to figure out what they will and won't hit and getting the fish to commit.

FishnMike

Coastalfisherman · 04-27-2007, 10:52 AM

Who is hitting Odell on the opener. I am heading over on Monday for a week. I need a report or two before I go.

Jedcraft · 04-27-2007, 12:35 PM

Odell was dismal last year - hopefully better this year. The old timers said worst they could ever remember. If no good try Crescent.

Hanapa'a Time · 04-27-2007, 01:46 PM

Ryan, I will be up there tomorrow morning. Just a day trip. Report back when we return.

Jedcraft, last year was slower than the previous years. We still managed 60 fish for three guys. Fish were smaller grade too.

Jedcraft · 04-27-2007, 02:22 PM

Were you early in the season are later on?

Coastalfisherman · 04-27-2007, 06:30 PM

HT,
Thanks, I will look for your report tomorrow night or Sunday.

REEL HANDEL · 04-27-2007, 07:10 PM

Wickiup is Max full, Clear to the top of the ramp. Was out there yesterday, lots of people there already, was 75 here today same for tomorrow. I am going to wait until the middle of the week.

Hanapa'a Time · 04-27-2007, 07:24 PM

Jedcraft, I only fished opening day last year. Halibut, ocean salmon and tuna seasons get in the way later in the year :grin: