hornhunter, you didnt miss anything at Quabbin this year, my best trip was 3 days after the season opened, its been down hill from then on. Its been the same way at twin, in early june I hammered the kokes, after that I was lucky to catch 1 or 2 per trip.
I got a 19.5" and a 20.5" out of a CT lake this June, they are here, just have to work for them. Might see another new state record fish come out of there before the end of summer.
Fished from 6pm till 8:30pm. Boated 13 Kokes, lost 3 more behind the boat. 33-40' down on the riggers, beads behind a williams flasher, and Macks double whammy (smile blade) run clean, both tipped with anise scented shoepeg.
Never have I had a day catching such numbers, 25 total kokanee caught, not bad of a 4 hour troll. All fish were 10"-11", Pink/black and chart/black beads, behind a williams flasher(dodger), and of course ... tipped with anise scented corn.
I have been using a dry brine, 1/4 cup salt, 1 cup brown sugar. Coat the fillets with the salt/brown sugar mix and let them sit for 6-8 hours, rinse and smoke. I always make a mess with liquid brines
All over, i troll, but the majority of the fish last year were on the eastern shoreline, from the big boulder south to brodie beach. The deep hole looked barren compared to other years.
I hope the quality of fish is better this year at West Hill (cant complain about the quantity) I have never caught so many 8-9 inchers like i did last year. Even just watching the spawn in Nov., you were hard pressed to see a red over 12 inches. East Twin however produced some quality kokanee...