Preparing for Koke Season

[moknots]

Well it's time to tie double hooks leaders, build spinners, clean dodgers, and organize the tackle box.

Here are a few thoughts:

If you don't tie your own double hook leaders and spinners, check out how to do it at www.animatedknots.com, or go buy some pretied steelhead sidedrifting leaders (8 or 10 pound test, #4 or #2 hooks).

Clean all the old scum and gel scent off your dodgers by running them through the dishwasher with some good grease cutting soap. By the way, DON'T put that stuff (gel) on anything you don't want to clean, like spinners!

Organize your tackle box so you can find stuff! It does no good to carry every lure known to have once taken a kokanee if you can't find it! I love clear organizer trays with good lid latches, and pipe insulating foam for pre-tied leaders, hootchies and spinners.

Go to a seminar. Or buy a cup of coffee for a fishing wizard and pick his brain. Or read Dave Bisser's book on Kokanee Fishing (Amato Publishing). If there's enough interest, there may be another Central Oregon Kokanee Fishing Class in the works.

Write down the new ideas you are going to try. It's amazing how many great ideas you come up with daydreaming during the cabin fever days, and then promptly forget on the water! Example, in 2008 I quite literally fed my tackle box to those danged Lodgepole Snappers at Wickiup (stumps!). That winter the solution popped in to my mind, and was promptly forgotten. Good thing I wrote myself a note that January when I spooled a few 60' lengths of 30# braid "stump tippets" onto an old leader wheel and slipped them in my tackle box. A quick review of my notes that following spring prompted me to tie a couple on before heading to Wickiup (I would never have gotten around to it once on the boat!). They worked like a charm -- every time I got latched onto by a Coniferous Snapper, I got my dodger back and was back in the water in a flash.

Same goes for writing down all those boat maintenance issues and trick outfitting mods (like another set of rod holders for the 2nd rod stamp...) that you keep saying you will do when the weather gets better, but definitely before fishing season... sure you will.

What are your favorite pre-season tips?

[6wapiti6]

Check your downrigger cables. First trip last year I donated a new weight and release to the depths because I didn't notice a weak spot in my cable!
(I now have braid on mine)

[moknots]

Originally Posted by 6wapiti6

Check your downrigger cables. First trip last year I donated a new weight and release to the depths because I didn't notice a weak spot in my cable!
(I now have braid on mine)

Amen! Done that!

[SilverBullets]

I go back over the piles of kokanee literature I've saved through the years. There's always something new to learn... it's the small details that we sometimes forget that can change a slow day into a great one. I've kept notes of my past kokanee trips and go back over them before each season begins.
As far as equipment goes, It's always a good idea to adjust the brake on the downriggers. Go over the motors, batteries, trailer tires, and grease the bearings.
The dodgers and gang-troll blades get cleaned and polished. The lures get organized, and new ones added that were made during the winter. Reels are checked and line replaced if needed. This year I'll be trying some color metered braided line on the jigging reels...still need to get that ordered!

[Jrr]

Did mine after Thanksgiving, pacing and waiting for word on Billy Chinook. Love it when you can fish Koke and Bull Trout at the same time.

[jzell]

I'm going to roll over and fluff up my pillow wake me in late spring.

jz

[The Pew]

I just loaded the metered braided line on. Trying it on one jogging rod and one trolling rod.

I polish my chrome dodgers with cornstarch or toothpaste.

I use split rings to attach snap swivels to my mooching weights. I always check the snaps for functionality.

I also review my log book from the last year and see if I learned anything.

Just did the boat maintenance so I am good to go.

[jbrown9709]

Originally Posted by moknots

Go to a seminar. Or buy a cup of coffee for a fishing wizard and pick his brain. Or read Dave Bisser's book on Kokanee Fishing (Amato Publishing). If there's enough interest, there may be another Central Oregon Kokanee Fishing Class in the works.

I'd like to make note of two folks (my brother and I) VERY interested in a Central Oregon class. I've just started getting into Kokanee fishing, and read through a great many ifish koke threads, crossing my fingers that there would be another class this year.

Thanks!
Jeff

[JAG]

Sure would like to see another class. I learned a ton last year and my catch went from 4 or 5 per trip to limits on each trip. My hats off to you guys!

Just took some canned smoked steelhead out of the canner. Apparentenly we ran out of canned smoked Kokanee.

My pre-season tip. Clean up and stock up on more canning jars.

[boating bobber]

I'd like to get on the sign up sheet for a kokanee class. I was unable to attend last time and the fish showed me I need lessons.
Thanks,
Bob

[bullhead]

Originally Posted by boating bobber

I'd like to get on the sign up sheet for a kokanee class. I was unable to attend last time and the fish showed me I need lessons.
Thanks,
Bob

I second that...Koke fishing is new to me, so if there's an upcoming class, I would love to attend...Where do we look for a sign up sheet. Thanks...Dan

[FallRiverGuy]

Originally Posted by jzell

I'm going to roll over and fluff up my pillow wake me in late spring.
jz

I have got a fever, and the only prescription is more Kokanee talk.

It is never too early to get ready for next season even if fishing in Merwin is not ready until June. John, come over the hill and lets go kokanee/bull trout fishing at LBC!!!!

Great input everyone. It is never too early to get ready for kokanee fishing. I organized a order from Stamina getting ready to tie up spinners. I have also added two more rod holders.

[Buck]

My wife and I are looking forward to a kokanee class if it is held. There is something very liberating about being an empty nester!

[jzell]

Brian,

Still weighing the possibility of comin over for the show. If so I'll contact you.

Would rather fish with you this year....that Joe guy had all the fun last year...he doesn't play fair....not a very good host...and he smokes a pike...eweuuuu.

jz

[SummitOne]

Originally Posted by jzell

Brian,


Would rather fish with you this year....that Joe guy had all the fun last year...he doesn't play fair....not a very good host...and he smokes a pike...eweuuuu.

jz

Smoked "PIKE", is it any good? Never had it....

[SummitOne]

I attended the Kokanee class last year at Suttle Lake and let me tell you, these guys take Kokanee fishing to a whole new level. Extremely informative, tips on exploring new lakes, cold beer and as a bonus, they passed out a bunch of new tackle to try. Well worth the price of admission!!

[jzell]

Joe smokes his Pike with a pipe.....eweuuuuuu.

Better with alder or apple.

jz

[Striper Phil]

I would be interested in a Koke class, Please keep me in the loop. Thanks SP

[malinore]

Do they have any classes at Crescent or Odell Lake I sure would be interested. Even around Salem, see the kid, grandkids, go sportsmans etc.

[fishunt]

If there is a class I would like to be put on the list. Lust let me know when and at what time Thanks

[eric71m]

Mike,

sure have been alot of requests!!!
You sure put on a great show last year at Suttle...
Let me know if you need any voluntreers to help set up, if you get there.

[moknots]

Originally Posted by eric71m

Mike, sure have been alot of requests!!!
You sure put on a great show last year at Suttle...
Let me know if you need any voluntreers to help set up, if you get there.

Thanks Eric! Sure enjoyed meeting the quality guys and gals, like you and yours!