East Lake Atlantic Salmon?

Badgerj · 05-21-2009, 08:08 PM

I'm thinking of taking my father to East Lake some time this summer or early fall. Neither of us has fished here and we would like to sample a little bit of everything. I haven't heard much about the Atlantic Salmon here and I would like to give them a try. I was told by one gentleman that drift fishing streamers is a common practice. Does anyone know if conventional trout or kokanee trolling gear will work? Does anyone bait fish for them?
Thanks in advance.

Jason

benny boy · 05-22-2009, 12:34 AM

Our main focus when fishing the lake has been kokanee and browns as well as rainbows but we have caught atlantics still fishing worm and corn. Also have caught a few atlantics pitching rooster tails not far from the docks in the weed beds. The ones we have seen and or caught have generally been up towards the lodge. Also, guys fishing pontoon boats dragging flies seem to do decent. Good luck! My all time favorite lake. You hook a fish and just never know what is going to be on the other end of the line!

Eagleclaw · 05-22-2009, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benny boy

You hook a fish and just never know what is going to be on the other end of the line!

BigSteelyHead123 · 05-22-2009, 05:42 AM

Those things are the easiest fish to catch there.
Go to the sulfur springs dock area and throw spinners... brown rooster tails work well as they imitate chub.

Wild Chrome · 05-22-2009, 06:05 AM

I flyfish East Lake a few days every October. Atlantics have always been an occasional catch for me there. They just don't seem as numerous as the kokanee, rainbows and browns. Last year, I don't think I caught one. I'm not sure I'd try to target them. If you do, they're usually a sucker for a fast-stripped streamer.

Badgerj · 05-25-2009, 04:51 PM

Thank you all so much for the help. Like I said I've never been there so I'm looking forward to it. From the pics I've seen it looks like an amazing place. Thanks again.

Jason

BigSteelyHead123 · 05-25-2009, 06:15 PM

They are nothing spectacular. All the ones I've ever caught have been under 12"....

Badgerj · 05-25-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigSteelyHead123

They are nothing spectacular. All the ones I've ever caught have been under 12"....

Thats ok I'm planning on catch and release anyway. I just want to try something different. Mostly I want to get my father out to do something he's never done before. My mom recently passed away and he's having some health problems so I'm trying to take him to do some of the things he's never done. I really appreciate everybody's input. I'm new to IFish and I'm very impressed with everybody's willingness to help and share info. This seems like a great forum. Thanks.

Jason

BigSteelyHead123 · 05-25-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badgerj

Thats ok I'm planning on catch and release anyway. I just want to try something different. Mostly I want to get my father out to do something he's never done before. My mom recently passed away and he's having some health problems so I'm trying to take him to do some of the things he's never done. I really appreciate everybody's input. I'm new to IFish and I'm very impressed with everybody's willingness to help and share info. This seems like a great forum. Thanks.

Jason

Oh Im sorry to hear about your mother..

Fish around those docks for the salmon, rainbows are mostly in the sulfur springs(you can smell them when your there), browns are really all over, but I like all the way from in front of the lodge store to the big rock cliffs, I've had good luck for kokanee where the water drops off deep in front of the rock cliff area.

Badgerj · 05-25-2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigSteelyHead123

Oh Im sorry to hear about your mother..

Fish around those docks for the salmon, rainbows are mostly in the sulfur springs(you can smell them when your there), browns are really all over, but I like all the way from in front of the lodge store to the big rock cliffs, I've had good luck for kokanee where the water drops off deep in front of the rock cliff area.

Thank you very much. That will give me a good place to start. It's always a little overwhelming to fish somewhere for the first time. I seem to spend more time second guessing myself than putting in a good effort lol. I'm hoping to try a little of everything while we're there so I really appreciate all the info.

Take care,
Jason

liveblues · 05-25-2009, 07:13 PM

First trip to East Lake.. mid june 2008.. windy.. so wind drifted near white slide. intermediate line/ olive wolly bugger. landed several atlantics 10-14 in.. anchor in 13 ft.. let callebaetis nymph sink.. 6 in strips .. hooked lot of nice browns 14-16in.. beautiful peaceful spot enjoy

Badgerj · 05-25-2009, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liveblues

First trip to East Lake.. mid june 2008.. windy.. so wind drifted near white slide. intermediate line/ olive wolly bugger. landed several atlantics 10-14 in.. anchor in 13 ft.. let callebaetis nymph sink.. 6 in strips .. hooked lot of nice browns 14-16in.. beautiful peaceful spot enjoy

You'll have to forgive me I'm a VERY new fly fisherman. I'm not familiar with the callebaetis nymph. Is it a common fly I can find at Sportman's? Thank you for your help.

benny boy · 05-25-2009, 09:21 PM

Make sure you take your kokanee gear as well! Like others have said fishing not far from the docks along the edge of the weeds should be a great place to catch a few atlantics. Move to the far side between the cliffs and the slide and in that back corner there is a cove (nice place to get out of the wind) good fishing back there for rainbows and browns. Fish mid-lake lining up the lodge, peninsula, and slide (closer to the lodge) to still fish or jig for kokes. Also if you are in the sulfur areas expect to catch everything, but if you start catching chubs constantly pick up the anchor and move to another spot. Kill those worthless chubs as well, good osprey food and not doing the lake a lot of favors. We usually target kokes, rainbows, and browns, but when catching atlantics have gotten them up to 16" or so. Made a couple casts from the dock two years back after loading the boat and landed two in the 14" range. Good luck and make sure you post up pics!

Badgerj · 05-26-2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benny boy

Make sure you take your kokanee gear as well! Like others have said fishing not far from the docks along the edge of the weeds should be a great place to catch a few atlantics. Move to the far side between the cliffs and the slide and in that back corner there is a cove (nice place to get out of the wind) good fishing back there for rainbows and browns. Fish mid-lake lining up the lodge, peninsula, and slide (closer to the lodge) to still fish or jig for kokes. Also if you are in the sulfur areas expect to catch everything, but if you start catching chubs constantly pick up the anchor and move to another spot. Kill those worthless chubs as well, good osprey food and not doing the lake a lot of favors. We usually target kokes, rainbows, and browns, but when catching atlantics have gotten them up to 16" or so. Made a couple casts from the dock two years back after loading the boat and landed two in the 14" range. Good luck and make sure you post up pics!

Thank you very much. I'm all fired up now! I can't wait to go.

Everybody has been very helpful. Thanks to all of you.

Redside · 05-27-2009, 08:38 AM

Just got back from there after from a long Memorial Day weekend. We did very well but we were only targeting Browns. Landed around 100 German Browns in 2 1/2 days of fishing. Biggest was 5 pounds. Most were around 18 inches. For Browns troll Jointed Rapalas in the 25-35 foot range. Only managed 2 Atlantics on gear we were trolling. They were both around 15-16 inches. As for Callibaetis they have them right at the lodge to purchase.

benny boy · 05-27-2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redside

Just got back from there after from a long Memorial Day weekend. We did very well but we were only targeting Browns. Landed around 100 German Browns in 2 1/2 days of fishing. Biggest was 5 pounds. Most were around 18 inches. For Browns troll Jointed Rapalas in the 25-35 foot range. Only managed 2 Atlantics on gear we were trolling. They were both around 15-16 inches. As for Callibaetis they have them right at the lodge to purchase.

Sounds like a great weekend! Was there still ice on the lake? And anyone out there Koke fishing?

Waterfish · 05-27-2009, 05:15 PM

I've never caught an Atlantic salmon. How do they compare to kokanee as tablefare?

benny boy · 05-27-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterfish

I've never caught an Atlantic salmon. How do they compare to kokanee as tablefare?

I haven't caught many of them but in my oppinion and if I remember correctly they were like a rainbow trout. Fairly firm meat and pink as well. I could be wrong and it could depend on where they are caught but I would say more like a trout than a kokanee.

Wild Chrome · 05-27-2009, 08:51 PM

I'm confused on the regs on A. salmon retention at East Lake. Can anyone explain?

Badgerj · 05-28-2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redside

Just got back from there after from a long Memorial Day weekend. We did very well but we were only targeting Browns. Landed around 100 German Browns in 2 1/2 days of fishing. Biggest was 5 pounds. Most were around 18 inches. For Browns troll Jointed Rapalas in the 25-35 foot range. Only managed 2 Atlantics on gear we were trolling. They were both around 15-16 inches. As for Callibaetis they have them right at the lodge to purchase.

Redside,
I really appreciate the update. I imagine most of our time will be spent chasing browns since that is dad's favorite fish. Did the atlantic salmon come on rapalas?

Badgerj · 05-28-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Chrome

I'm confused on the regs on A. salmon retention at East Lake. Can anyone explain?

I was looking at that too. Wouldn't they be included in the trout limit? I'm not going to keep anything anyway.