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Chelan Lake Report
Chelan County, WA

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Details

02/03/2011
Trolling
Mackinaw
Morning
02/03/2011
5
1323

Joe of LAKE CHELAN ADVENTURES, What a guy. We were on the lake bright and early, with a chilly wind blowin right up our nose. I was glad I layered on the clothing this AM. Got up to the fishin hole, and I had a rod and bait picked out, and I was ready to fish. In a tone that could not be ignored, It was mentioned I needed to use a different set up, and was handed a bizzare lookin (to me anyway) lil flat fish. LOL As y'all know, I'm still learning this trolling thing, and if Joe said the spastic running lil flat fish was the one to use, well who am I to argue. Little did I know this was his "lucky lure"! Any way, we started droppin off into deeper water than I have ever tried to fish before, and the depth sounder was not showing alot of action, but Hey, I'm on the water, fishin, and don't even have to run the boat. After seeing some arches, I was being tutored on the fine art of rigger control, and as I was readjusting the offering to just the right depth. off the clip the line went. Cranking as fast as I could to remove the bow in the line, and it is considerable fishing 300 feet plus, I finally get the line tight and feel the head shake. heavy and reluctant was the fish on the line. I'm cranking in the line, rigger's cranking in the ball, and Joe is shakin his head and saying that's not big enough. Well, he may have been after "Walter", but I would be happy with "Wilma". Anyway, a 10# 8oz laker is soon in the cooler. Hard work (on Joe's part) and changing tactics brought one more to the boat in this area. And both of them on the "lucky plug". LOL My Bad or What!!
My rod had received several hits, but hook ups were hard to come by. When we went to the lower end of the lake, there was more sonar activity, and we had several more hits, plus four more in the cooler. One was pretty small, but looked to be hooked deeper than comfortable for a release, so in the cooler it went. I rated the day a five because we did get hits, and I did get a fish over ten pounds. To me tha'ts worth a five anyday in my book. Joe said the 10 pounder looked like it had some kokes in it, so when I cleaned it, sure enough there was a fish in its stomach, but not a koke. A 15 1/2 inch burbot had been the meal. Also in the 5 pounder, there was a fish spinal vertebrae about 1/2 inch across. The owner of that would have been a good sized meal for a 5 pound fish. All the fillets were bright red, and Cindy and I had a couple of the smaller fillets for dinner, and the rest is in the brine. A great day on the water, good company, and fish in the smoker. Thanks Joe for a great time. Tight lines, Sharp hooks, and Hungry fish for all.


Comments

Toni
2/4/2011 9:07:00 AM
Great report.
coretron22
2/4/2011 10:45:00 AM
yeah, thanks! Good first read in the morning.
blufin loui
2/4/2011 2:24:00 PM
Thanks Toni, it was a blast targeting the bigger fish. Someday I will tag a monster. I look forward to your future killa reports when the trout and kokane start falling prey to your jigs that you're making. Take care and be safe and well.
blufin loui
2/4/2011 2:25:00 PM
You're Welcome coretron22, Glad I could provide the start-up read for you this Morn
kenbarb
2/4/2011 2:32:00 PM
Hi blufin loui, Good catch, looks like you are making a lot of progress on the Mack fishing, nice pictures, really enjoy your reports.

Several years ago on a Lake Chelan trip, I was fly fishing the Stehekin River using a pontoon boat, getting to the take out spot I was crossing a shallow mud flat, and spotted a odd looking fish configuration on the bottom, turned out to be a Burbot, about 18" long, with the tail end of another one just a little smaller sticking out it's mouth, was more than it could swallow, and it choked to death.

A couple of questions: What weight downrigger ball are you using in 300' water, and how much downrigger cable do you let out to be 3' or 4' off the bottom, and are you using spectra or wire cable? Ken
blufin loui
2/4/2011 5:05:00 PM
Hello Ken, Thanks for the comment. I was surprised the pic came out as good as it did, with me doing the self portrait thing. That would have been an interesting sit to see, those burbot are an agressiv feeder apparently. On the down rigger question, Maybe Joe will chime in in the details as we were on his boat, but it was Power Pro For the rigger line. I also use the Power Pro spectrum in 250# test instead of cable, hooked to 10# pancake weights. Have little to no vibration on the rigger since the change, and no more than I troll, it should last a good while, and all I'll have to do for a while is maintain the ends when they get frayed or damaged. You and Miss Barb stay safe, well, and enjoying life together.
afk
2/4/2011 6:55:00 PM
Hey Lewis, one year ago today I caught an 8# triploid in your boat. I've not boated a fish that big since. I sure do appreciate seeing all of your reports. Keep it up. Thanks again.
Lake Chelan Adventures
2/4/2011 8:55:00 PM
Hey Kenbarb....I use 12 lb Finned Cannonball. 15lb Cannonball work well also..250 PowerPro is a must..I do spool up with 600 to 900ft on my Downriggers to reach that 400ft depths...Faster you troll the more Downrigger Line you will need!!!!Good Luck..
Malottguy
2/4/2011 10:38:00 PM
Wow that is impressive. Makes you wonder what the light snack was for that fish.
blufin loui
2/5/2011 3:23:00 PM
Thanks Joe
kenbarb
2/5/2011 5:31:00 PM
Thanks for the downrigger information, the Scotty's are spooled up with wire, but will switch to PowerPro. Barb and I will be booking a trip with Joe to speed up the learning process, we have never fished for Macks. Ken
blufin loui
2/5/2011 5:52:00 PM
Afk, too bad we couldn't have repeated the feat for the one year aniversery. LOL
blufin loui
2/5/2011 5:54:00 PM
MalottGuy, those macks are eating machines. I could not believe the size of kokanee in some of the smaller fish.
blufin loui
2/5/2011 5:57:00 PM
You'll not regret booking with Joe. He puts on quite the teaching seminar right there on his boat. When you and Barb make arrangements to visit this part of the world, Let Cindy and I know. We'd love to take you two out to dinner while you're here if our work schedules will allow.
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709