Update from first weekend of August

[freshie]

Just came back from one of the most fun 3-day weekends of our lives. We fished, we ate, we drank in good company and good weather. Special thanks to Jackson Laker and his bride.

Fishing: It was fun on the kokanee, but definitely an early morning bite all 3 days. Most action came before the sun came over the hill. It slowed off exponentially after that. Fish are still big. We had a number over 4 lbs. Bites came on a variety of baits trolled from 40 to 58ft. Thermocline seems to be setting up with most all marks tight at around 45 - 48 ft.

Another thanks to the anonymous fisherman who hung my lead core and took the time to untangle the rig from his down rigger and send it back to me...

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[jacksonlaker]

It was an amazing weekend...no wind !!! The fishing was so good I even caught myself ! How come the fish shake the hooks so easy and I bury it in my pinky. Here are more pics...

 

[Bduck]

How come the fish shake the hooks so easy and I bury it in my pinky.

There's something about a pinky, pink meat and a good filet knife. 101whocares101 Great reports & pics, the colors are starting to really show now in the fish. The monsoonal flows have been kicked contributing to less wind with exception of a thunderstorm passing thru.

 

[Kokaholic]

We had a great deal of long line releases this past weekend to. Kinda weird.

 

[chukardave1]

Wow those are some great fish. Some day…….

 

[SuperD]

We had a great deal of long line releases this past weekend to. Kinda weird.

Maybe kipe preventing good hook sets?

 

[freshie]

Some days they just stay stuck better than others. As with any soft mouth fish, the longer you have them on the line the better chance there is with losing them. I'm not a fan of the red hooks (or crappy leader line) most kokanee lures are rigged with. I've done better on keeping the fish on the line after re-rigging my squids and lures with better hooks. I also get much better bites when changing out the leader line with 10 lb fluorocarbon.

 

[SuperD]

I wouldn't consider a Gorge Koke in August a "soft mouthed fish". I've broken my fair share of hooks trying to get them out of those brutes mouths. As the summer progresses, I'm of the opinion that one should step up their hook size. #4 hooks are meant for 12" - 16" Kokes. Larger hooks have larger hook gap and bite deeper than the small hooks on a big fish.

 

[liketrolling]

I re-rigg with 12 lb fluorocarbon p-line and size #2 hooks and put a pink bead between the hooks
that has been working good for me.