Predictions

[smokepoles]

What is your experience/prediction for fishing kokannee at FG this year, especially regarding effect of the expected record run off? For example, will a prolonged run off delay things, especially up lake at Buckboard?

I understand FG is already full, and run off has just started. This has to bode well for the resource in general.

 

[Ryno]

The reservoir has been hanging at 6025 ft most of the winter. That's about 8 ft below the operational preference of 6033 ft and 15 ft below full pool capacity of 6040 ft. It's dropping really fast now, with 8700 cfs pouring out the dam, and it looks like it's down about 2 ft since last week. Eventually, the dam will reduce output to 2000 cfs,to not flood out downstream users any more than possible, and the reservoir will likely start to rise again. Then later in the spring-summer the releases will increase to drop the reservoir. Might be a rollercoaster ride for a while.

I remember in 2009, the reservoir came-up about 14 ft in month. It made fishing pretty tough, especially for kokes. I had a tough time getting fish to hit and with all the debris floating on the reservoir it made trolling a pain at times.

Hope it helps, Ryno

 

[Bduck]

The abundant of water supply we had on 09' was hell on the bite. But with the small dinks we caught in 10', I hoping to see a banner year for a change. With all of the water coming in FG this year early could be a repeat of 09'.

 

[Ryno]

Yeah, '09 was a banner year for kokanee recruitment too, which is why you saw so many small fish last year. Hopefully that year class can carry through and 2012-13 could be good koke fishing years for 3-4 year olds.

 

[SuperD]

Funny how when you are fishing in 120' of water that some how 125' or 130' seemingly makes a big difference to the fish. The one fact I've always heard though was more water means more food supply so ultimately good for the fish.

 

[Ryno]

For sure. It's great for the whole ecosystem. A lot of new nutrients will run-off into the reservoir this year, and shoreline will be re-inundated releasing nutrients. Those nutrients will provide for algae, followed by plankton, followed by fishes, and then of course us! Like you stated, the increased elevation may just mean poor catching for a while, but it's definitely good for the health of the reservoir.

 

[SmokeOnTheWater]

101goodpost101 Interesting discussion folks!
The Villa Derby this coming weekend will be a good indicator of what to expect throughout the season.