Why do Kokes Jump?

[SuperD]

I was out on friday and the lake was like glass throughout the day and a number of times the kokes were breaching all over the lake. They clear the water by 2' or 3' on each jump. It was like Asian carp footage. While we were trolling, one jumped about 5' from the boat. We both looked at the rods certain that he must be hooked. I can't imagine them having to go airborne for plankton. Anyone ever seen this before or have a theory?

 

[eenakoK]

I have seen this before, usually in the beginning of the season. I have always thought it was some kind of hatch going on and the they are attacking them as they go up the water column.

 

[mytmouse]

I can assure you my answers are not scientific Dave....

Gill cleansing?

Predator behind them (King)?

or, my personal favorite....

Because they have no middle finger?

I can also add that I have seen minimal kokanee jumping in our lakes down here in Nor Cal. However it sounds like jumping Kok's is where I would be throwing a Jig at them as opposed to trolling (ive still yet to jig for them, but the oregon boards seem like they use jumping kok for a signal to start casting at the jumpers)

 

[SuperD]

I was truly impressed with how high they elevated without a hook in their mouth. Nothing like a Rainbow that rolls at the surface for a bug.

 

[eenakoK]

I used to go to Canada for kamloops trout. Those things were insane. I had several jump over the boat. 21" fish with a size 18 hook. Good times

 

[Tater Salad]

June 2011 we spent 2 days fishing Whiskey Town Reservoir. The Kokes all had parasites and were extremely slimy. They were jumping like crazy. We assumed that they were jumping due to irritation from the parasites. The Kokes were in good condition once they were filleted.
Our assumption was just that, an assumption.

 

[DLM]

I can assure you my answers are not scientific Dave....

Gill cleansing?

Predator behind them (King)?

or, my personal favorite....

Because they have no middle finger?

I can also add that I have seen minimal kokanee jumping in our lakes down here in Nor Cal. However it sounds like jumping Kok's is where I would be throwing a Jig at them as opposed to trolling (ive still yet to jig for them, but the oregon boards seem like they use jumping kok for a signal to start casting at the jumpers)

I have seen this on Crescent lake, a lake that has a high Mac population and was told it is an indicator of the Macs being hungry, so your predator theory may be right on. I have not seen this on lakes without Mac's.

 

[SuperD]

Tater Salad fished a lake with no Macs and the lake I fished has no Macs.

 

[SculpinKing]

I fish Lake Stevens, north of Seattle, which does not have any Mackinaw. In fact, the only possible predators of Kokanee in the lake would be Rainbows or Largemouth Bass, but that would be an exception rather than a common occurrence. We see plenty of jumping Kokanee, typically early in the morning.

 

[mrmike]

SuperD Yea witness this a lot of times what I've notice they are smaller fish and have no idea WHY? Way to many fish jumping to be a predator fish chasing them see it a lot in Odell Lake/ never witness it at Wickiup Res. and noticed it at different times of the day morning and afternoons some one needs to call a Biologist

 

[SmokeOnTheWater]

Here's my 101idea101 on this subject.

If they're the smaller variety kokes (1st year) they might be testing their fins or, as others have said, being chased by larger fish, not necessarily predators. I've been watching a local deer herd this winter in my backyard and have witnessed several occasions where yearling bucks are already sparing like their older brothers, dads or grandads. They're just born with the natural instinct to reproduce and fight for dominance.

Many of the kokanee in Flaming Gorge spawn right in the lake but there are a few that migrate several miles up the streams to spawn. The migration forces them to jump to clear obstackles in the streams whether it's a rock formation creating a waterfall of only a deadfallen tree.

Consider this; if you're trolling for kokes and they're jumping all around you like that, I'd count that as a GOOD OMEN and keep right on fishing the same area.

101chromefish101 Maybe they are giving you the finner???? laugh hyst

 

[skookum9]

You missed a really great opportunity to find out what it is us jig abusers love so much about the sport. We can guess and speculate until we're blue in the face about it. I've heard all sorts of reasons ranging from, fleeing from predators to de-lousing to knocking the egg sacks loose to just plain frolicking because they can. Who knows, maybe they've heard all the health tip talks about the advantages of getting enough vitamin D. I can promise you that they are not doing it in pursuit of food. This would be an extreme waste of energy considering they are plankton feeders. Typically, you can use the style of a fish's rise to determine what they are feeding on at the time. Slow rolls or deep slurps or high flying acrobatics mean different things. But not so for the kokes. I tend to think it's more just they are rather savvy, and perhaps the warmth of the sun may help the digestion inside of these scaly reptiles. The important thing is not just the why of it, but to go about to partake of the joy's of it. Odell and Wickiup are both very active on the surface during the early season, just before they begin the descent to greater depths. If you ever get that chance again, take a spin rod with a 1/2oz pink and white gibbs or a 2 1/2 inch orange buzz bomb, and lay it right on top of the last one you just saw jump. Let it set for just a few seconds and then begin a jigging retrieve. All the while keeping just enough tension on the line so as to remain in contact with your lure. If you get it right, the rewards will be enormous. Just remember to have lots of patience and lots of fun.