New to Kokanee fishing

[LokiPoki]

Had my first experience fishing for kokanee this past week at Strawberry. I used hoochies, wedding rings , and hoochie spinners which I made myself. I am also new to downriggers but over the course of 4 days I finally got it all figured out and managed to catch 5 kokanee and many cutts and rainbows. The kokanee are the best tasting fish I have yet tasted in my life...so I am hooked....lookin forward to learning all I can from you guys who have been at this a while.

LokiPoki

 

[mtncat1]

great job koke fishing at strawberry this time of year is not as easy as people think

 

[LokiPoki]

When does the kokanee fishing at Strawberry usually pick up? Heck I was thinking it was pretty good...if it gets better I can hardly wait!

 

[Bduck]

101welcomw LokiPoki
Strawberry is also a favorite of mine. Just keep going and keep hammering away enjoying what you are doing. Since your new to kokanee fishing liking what was produced at the Berry, I would like to be a fly on the wall when you go after Flaming Gorge kokes and see your expression when those 3-4lbers get reeled in. 101ok101

 

[LokiPoki]

I had planned to go to the Gorge next weekend for a day, however I need to do some more research on all the inspections for the boat and permits and that kind of stuff that is needed to make the trip. I dont want to have to backtrack to green river ace hardware to buy a special permit or sticker or whatever it is you need to fish there. It would be great if there was an all inclusive list of steps necessary to get on the water and be legal without having to find out things the hard way.

 

[Bduck]

Boat inspection is done at the port of entry in Evanston. However if your passing through at very early hours no one is usually manning the inspection station, just continue on to your destination. In the event you do go thru an inspection make sure your transom plug is not installed, all equipment & bilge/livewells are dry, lower your outdrives or outboard draining any water that might be retained. If launching from Utah be sure to have your AIS annual form from on line test or fill out the daily form at the launch. If you go thru Mountainview a reciprocal can be obtained at the 24hr Maverik. Flaming Gorge rec area is a daily fee which can be paid at the launch sites. If your visit is longer than a day or several annual visits you can obtain either a weekly pass for approx $15 or an annual pass for approx $35 at the Maverik in Mountainview. I usually order my Wyoming AIS early in the new year. Not sure if this can be purchased at the Mountainview but it is a must if your fishing in Wyoming waters. If not fishing Wyoming waters you can save $30.

 

[smokepoles]

Flaming Gorge rec area is a daily fee which can be paid at the launch sites. If your visit is longer than a day or several annual visits you can obtain either a weekly pass for approx $15 or an annual pass for approx $35 at the Maverik in Mountainview.

Roger, does the federal interagency pass work for the Gorge?

 

[Bduck]

Yes, if you have a permanent disability with a doctors documentation stating allowing for a disability pass, a senior pass, golden age access pass, these are lifetime passes that can be used all acrossed our country to federal parks and forest service fee areas. These exempt access fees but do not exempt from other fees such as camping but will allow discounts on those other fees. At Flaming Gorge Lucerne launch there is a sign showing the passes must be displayed in windshield at the entrance of parking lot. Flaming Gorge in both states honors these passes. Now if you are to go to Strawberry it's a different story. Strawberry is federal territory but operated by the state of Utah. They do not recognize passes from either state or federal. But fees there are not gouging ones pocket-YET.

My suggestion is visit a local US Forest Service office or BLM office in person. If you have the documentation they can issue a pass at that time that you qualify for. They will answer any of your questions.

https://www.fws.gov/refuges/pdfs/SeniorPass_PublicFINAL_100507.pdf

 

[smokepoles]

The interagency pass is not a lifetime pass, but annual for national parks, forest service, notional monuments, etc that is purchased yearly. I was not sure whether it applies to launching at the Gorge. My partner has a senior/golden age (whatever) that has always done it at the Gorge, but I wasn't sure if the annual interagency that I get does(not quite a senior yet). I'll need to look closer when we get there next week.

 

[Bduck]

Sorry Chuck, I'm not familiar with what you have said "interagency pass". Didn't realize this was a separate pass. The Forest Service near your work site could probably answer your question. I would like to know what the answer is on this as well.

 

[smokepoles]

This site clarifies that the pass I mentioned plus all you did, are part of the interagency pass program:

https://www.nps.gov/home/planyourvisit/interagency-pass-program.htm

The one I mentioned is callled "America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass - Annual Pass - Cost $80" Kind of a mouthful. It generally covers all entrance and standard amentity fees, but I am not sure that includes launching at the gorge. I'll see what I can find out.

 

[smokepoles]

I called the Flaming gorge Field District headquarters, and talked to Sherry. She confirmed that the "America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass - Annual Pass - Cost $80" is good for access and use of facilities at the Gorge. I specifically asked about launch, and she said yes, just be sure to display the pass on dash or using the hang tag holder.

We get the annual pass every year and it generally way pays for itself at national parks and monmuments, BLM,forest service, rec areas. It'll also get you a discout at many forest service camp fees. Even if I didn't use $80 worth, I don't mind a bit for where the money goes.

 

[Bduck]

The way I interpreted the interagency pass has no special priveledge over the other passes that is issued for Flaming Gorge. Interagency is good for country wide, an $80 value. Although the Gorge has its own annual pass $35 value, weekly pass $15 value, or daily fee the priveledge is the same for that recreation area. It wouldn't make sense you pay a higher fee you should get special priveledges. Different fees for different qualifications.

 

[mtncat1]

When does the kokanee fishing at Strawberry usually pick up? Heck I was thinking it was pretty good...if it gets better I can hardly wait!

strawberry koke fishing is good early in the am right now but the fish are shallow and scattered right now as the water warms (it's 42 deg at 20 feet ) the kokes will move into a tradition kokanee summer pattern at about 35 feet depth , this will make it so you can catch fish though out the day not just early and late in the day . also the cutts willreturn from spawning , and add too the catch rate .