End of July on Gorge

[fishinfrenzy]

Another great weekend on the Gorge. Fished out of Buckboard with lots of fish showing on screen from 40 to mid 60 feet down. Better fish were caught at 60 feet with Kokanee Creek Joker behind a Silver Streak dodger. Almost as many were caught with a Hot Damn behind Shatterred dodger. Speeds were from 1.4 to 1.5. Some are getting into the pink sides.

 

[SmokeOnTheWater]

Way to go once again!

I would suspect the flesh is beginning to get soft?

 

[Bduck]

Gorge 7-31-2012

I too made up for the day unfortunately. Launched at Buckboard. From the moment the first line went in there was never a dull moment. After 6hrs on the water, I brought in about 25 kokes and lost a few. The kokes are definately turning early this year. Used fusion dodgers with pearl scent squid(my hot one), also cotten candy, mojo, and green squids. Even my own home made surprise delighted me.

 

[jacksonlaker]

I love the shot f fish finder. Now that's some fishin porn right there!!! I will finally be fishing the Gorge on Saturday. I can't wait !!!

 

[Propnut69]

With the gorge having two different strains of kokanee, some seem to think that they are getting into spawning colors early. The fish that are turning red, and getting all hooked jawed, are the strain that will head back to the tributaries’ that they were spawned from. .The majority of these fish on the Wyo side will head back up the green, all the way to the plume creek fishery. This is where many of these fish were spawned from. By the time these fish are into their spawning beds it will be September.

The other strain of kokes, which are “in the lake “ spawners will start changing usually around the end of September, and spawn into November IMO ,these fish that are being caught, that are “turning” are the river spawners. My experience from years past tells me that, these fish are not necessarily early, they are just getting ready for when they make their push north.

 

[fishinfrenzy]

The flesh is still nice and firm, and BBQs up nice and tasty as always. MMM

 

[SuperD]

Tim, I think "by early", he means they are early for "getting ready". hahahaha! I'm used to them getting belly blush at the end of July but these guys do seem like they've turned a little sooner than I'm used to. Maybe they now something about the coming Fall and Winter we don't.

 

[SmokeOnTheWater]

Hey, you guys need to take a look at the calendar once in awhile! It's August already!

Roger, just because you got a late start this year doesn't necessarily equate to an early color change. 101idea101

I too like the sonar photo. Thanks for posting those pics! thumbsup

 

[Bduck]

Tom, It doesn't matter how late of a start I got, I have never before seen them this dark of a color this early. Usually its just a slight hint of color change which becomes more noticeable to me about mid August. Today is only Aug 2.

Tim, thanks for reminding us of both strains, "river runners" & "in-lake" spawners. This trip had me rubbing my hands together thinking kokes. 101ok101 I have so much time on my hands that I couldn't make it to the Gorge do to circumstances way beyond my control. I didn't want to slip into winter without making another trip up there. I'm still thinking about another day up there towards the end of the month and go after some reds.

 

[smokepoles]

Thanks for that info on the strains; it is very interesting. Is there a difference between strains in the age at which they spawn?

 

[Propnut69]

Thanks for that info on the strains; it is very interesting. Is there a difference between strains in the age at which they spawn?

To my knowledge,both strains spawn at the same time. I hope our local biologist will check in ,as he knows a lot more about the different strains,then I do.