smokenkokes
Member
Anyone have info on the Lake Stevens? The brother-in-law and I have plans to try the derby on the 21st of May.
Derby Time
- Thread starter smokenkokes
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MackPrince
Washington Forum MODERATOR
Great question. I was hoping to make it up for the derby, but it's looking like it won't happen for me this year.
I guess I'm alright with that though. This way my winning fish has another year to fatten up. laugh hyst
I guess I'm alright with that though. This way my winning fish has another year to fatten up. laugh hyst
smokenkokes
Member
I saw some pics from the middle of may last year and the fish where large. worthy12
Smalma
Well-known member
smokenkokes -
Yes there were some very nice size (and chunky) fish in Stevens last May. Most of us were surprised that the winning weights were not larger for the derby.
However it was clear that by late May those larger fish were mostly gone. The big fish seem to be more aggressive and with recent increases in fishing pressure they didn't last long. The lack of those larger fish was evident the rest of the summer.
BTW -
The Stevens fish this spring are about the same size as last year for this time of year. How many will be available for the derby will depend on how the fishery develops between now and then.
Tight lines
Curt
Yes there were some very nice size (and chunky) fish in Stevens last May. Most of us were surprised that the winning weights were not larger for the derby.
However it was clear that by late May those larger fish were mostly gone. The big fish seem to be more aggressive and with recent increases in fishing pressure they didn't last long. The lack of those larger fish was evident the rest of the summer.
BTW -
The Stevens fish this spring are about the same size as last year for this time of year. How many will be available for the derby will depend on how the fishery develops between now and then.
Tight lines
Curt
Kokanee Kid
Well-known member
MackPrince
Washington Forum MODERATOR
Thanks for posting an offical flyer for us Kid.
-Mack
-Mack
smokenkokes
Member
This is good info. I did notice that the pics I had seen where the week before the derby. As an avid fisherman I understand that pressure plays a major role in each fishery. I was just looking for a slight upper hand for derby day. Color, bait, lure choice. by the way could you just through them in my boat so I can fire up the smoker.
KOK head
Well-known member
My tickets are on the way , only 7 tickets left at johns sporting goods! I cant wait : P fun fun fun........................
Fished Stevens last night for a couple hours, water was at 55 finally, we ended up going 3 for 4 on red/green wedding ring with bronze blade. could have had more if we could have figured out where they were sooner... oh well, it was still a fun time, and prefishing is always fun thumbsup
eenakoK
Well-known member
I wish you all luck! I am bummed that I won't be able to make it, o'well, next year!
Kokonuts
Well-known member
Kent Cannon & I are going to make the trip up for the derby! Since it will be the first time for both of us and we wont have much to time to check out the lake, besides being tired an worn out from all the driving, can any of you give a few tips to us Southern Gentleman? laugh hyst
We are really looking forward to meeting everyone and plan on having a great trip!! 101chromefish101
Kokonuts.....Richard
We are really looking forward to meeting everyone and plan on having a great trip!! 101chromefish101
Kokonuts.....Richard
Smalma
Well-known member
The "bite" has been "on" for better than 3 weeks now. However the fish have been extremely temperamental.
The prefered presentation, depth, etc has been changing day to day even hour to hour. Over the last 3 weeks have been catching fish from the surface down to the mid-20s, at speeds from 0.9 to 1.7 mph, on a variety of lures and colors ranging from blood red to orange to green and spinner blades from silver to bronze and any number of dodgers/attractors. The pattern has never been the same two days in a row. And it has not been uncommon to see prolong periods of no bites followed by a very good bite; though those good bites are getting more predictable.
Currently there is a huge block of water that is in the high 40s to low 50s (from the surface down pass 60 feet). As a result the fish can be anywhere they want to be and seem to be moving freely up and down the water column. In the last week the major item in their diet has switched from bosmina to daphnia. That diet shift and some nice stable weather should bring some predictability to the fishery.
However with the way the lake has warmed this "spring" I don't expect to see a strong thermocline rroming until June. As a result the fish will continue to be scattered. That will make it easier to find a biting fish but harder to get absolutely dialed in on the "mother lode".
The good news is the fish are growing fast (adding a lot weight) and developing that nice red meat. The nicer sized fish have been even tougher to pattern. Could be an interesting derby for those that fish it.
Curt
The prefered presentation, depth, etc has been changing day to day even hour to hour. Over the last 3 weeks have been catching fish from the surface down to the mid-20s, at speeds from 0.9 to 1.7 mph, on a variety of lures and colors ranging from blood red to orange to green and spinner blades from silver to bronze and any number of dodgers/attractors. The pattern has never been the same two days in a row. And it has not been uncommon to see prolong periods of no bites followed by a very good bite; though those good bites are getting more predictable.
Currently there is a huge block of water that is in the high 40s to low 50s (from the surface down pass 60 feet). As a result the fish can be anywhere they want to be and seem to be moving freely up and down the water column. In the last week the major item in their diet has switched from bosmina to daphnia. That diet shift and some nice stable weather should bring some predictability to the fishery.
However with the way the lake has warmed this "spring" I don't expect to see a strong thermocline rroming until June. As a result the fish will continue to be scattered. That will make it easier to find a biting fish but harder to get absolutely dialed in on the "mother lode".
The good news is the fish are growing fast (adding a lot weight) and developing that nice red meat. The nicer sized fish have been even tougher to pattern. Could be an interesting derby for those that fish it.
Curt
KOK head
Well-known member
See you all at the derby early AM I cant wait : )~ fish on~ !
