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This is a report for Mon-Wed, AM each day.

JoAnn, myself, and our dogs Diesel and Rudy got to go off on a three night/day “boat camping” trip to one of my favorite destinations, Baker Lake. I was pumped to say the least, and, just a bit anxious over how things would go with our dogs. I was accepting of the fact we’d have to make pit stops for the dogs, but as it turns out they got into a nice routine and we really didn’t lose much fishing time. Each morning we’d be up at 4:45, run the boat up to shore, help the dogs out for a ten minute pee break/walk, and then off to the fishing grounds. I was able to have all gear running by 5:30am, which worked well.

Marked lots of fish every day, but nothing under 60 feet was a willing biter for us. We ran standard sockeye gear each day (dodgers in 50/50, two hooks, pink squids, smile blades on some of the gear), and chunks of scented prawn. Leaders were on the shorter size, from 8 to 14” to vary things up. Four rods and staggered at 5-10 foots increments. Water temp was 72, with moderate AM winds that mellowed out as the morning progressed. Each day was a little nicer than the previous day.

Monday the action was fair, we caught two and lost two. Saw fish around us being caught, but nothing great. Tuesday was another matter, with our fish coming right from the start and having steady action into mid-morning. We did have a bad case of “net-ites”, as in missing fish. It was all on me – one fish I knocked off, and a second I had in the net and as we were bringing it over the gunnels it took a mighty leap and got out, breaking the line and swimming to freedom. I was dumbfounded on that one - I couldn’t believe I had it in the net and it managed to jump out. JoAnn was not very happy! We ended up catching two and losing four fish on Tuesday. But I was heartened by the better action and figured Wednesday could be really good.

Wednesday. JoAnn used a word at 10am which I had to agree with “sad”. We had a total of one bite, no hook up, and saw very few fish caught. One guide boat had a double at 5:45am to start the day and I thought things would be better. BTW, what’s with a guide boat fishing on Baker? I looked at the two people in the boat with the guide; they sure didn’t act like anything other than “clients”. But who knows, give him the benefit of the doubt I guess. Anyway, fishing was better miserable, as miserable as you can be surrounded by all that beauty… OK, yes, it was miserable.

So we ended our three day trip with four fish. I won’t complain because they are after all Baker lake sockeye, delicious and a hoot to catch. And we’ll be back, because as an angler I have that eternal flame of optimism. I know that some days the fish get you, and some days you get the fish.

Hunter757

7/23/2015 8:09:00 AM

Mike, sounds like you had a fun time. My son and I are hoping to make another trip up soon. glad to see you got some fish and were getting hits. Where are you parking your truck overnight?

Mike Carey

7/23/2015 8:26:00 AM

Both Horseshoe Cove and Panorama Point boat launch allow overnight parking, Panorama Point is closer so that one. I've never checked out Swift launch, don't know about it.

Hunter757

7/23/2015 9:38:00 AM

I camped at swift and it is Day use only parking. If you camp there park your trailer at camp. I will check out both of them next trip, I want to sleep on the boat or on the shore on the other side. Thanks.

scraig1962

7/23/2015 11:16:00 AM

I camped at Swift Creek opening weekend and I believe it is overnight parking for $9 in the boat launch area. Seemed like a bunch of the rigs with trailers were parked in the same spots all weekend. I was thinking about going up there again this weekend, but with the slow fishing reports I think I will have better chance of hitting a jackpot at a casino than catching sockeye up there.

Sidedrifter158

7/23/2015 5:49:00 PM

What's the deal with no guiding on baker

Mike Carey

7/23/2015 6:03:00 PM

I don't know why that is the case, but it is the case, Personally, although I have several guide friends, I like that this fishery is restricted. It just has a different feel about it when you don't see the "professionals" pounding the water. (nothing personal guide friends...)

Hunter757

7/23/2015 6:27:00 PM

scraig1962, you might be right will need to check next time up. Mike your right I hate seeing the guide boats up there pounding the fish out with the clients sitting there waiting there turn every time the rod goes off and the guide hands them the pole. We all need to make money and I understand that be respect the rules!! I have to.

hewesfisher

7/24/2015 7:48:00 AM

What restricts guides from Baker? I searched yesterday but could not find anything on WDFW site, sport or commercial, preventing them from guiding at Baker.

strider43

7/24/2015 8:47:00 AM

you actually did good with 4 fish for 3 days...

Mike Carey

7/24/2015 1:42:00 PM

I was unable to find the information online. I'll ask Zach McGlothern and find out. Strider43, yes, I'm not complaining. :-)

Mike Carey

7/24/2015 4:23:00 PM

so Zach tells me it's Federal waters and they don't want guides on it.

DjButler

7/24/2015 8:18:00 PM

My mom is up there camping right now and videoed 2 trucks dump 100's of sockeye near the Kulshan camp grounds. Is that where the majority of fish are being released??

hewesfisher

7/25/2015 6:50:00 AM

I don't know who Zach is, so I emailed WDFW to get the "official" response and requested the regulatory reference (WRC or federal). Will see what they have to say. ;-)

bob johansen

7/25/2015 9:38:00 AM

Nice, detailed report Mike -- And, very nice photos.

Mike Carey

7/25/2015 11:08:00 PM

Zach McGlothern, one of our site guide sponsors.

bob johansen

7/26/2015 9:40:00 AM

Fishing with your favorite dog (or dogs) can be a lot of fun -- But care should be taken when petting the dogs and handling your lures. Dogs have a predator smell and fish have a keen sense of smell. This could result is fewer strikes.

hewesfisher

7/27/2015 4:00:00 PM

Guides ARE permitted to operate on Baker, and have been IF they obtained a Special Use Permit (SUP) from the USFS for guided fishing trips. This policy, requiring SUPs for fishing guide operations (they may still be required for other guided activities), has been rescinded effective 7/22/15 per Steven Kuennen, acting Forest Supervisor. Please read the USFS letter, posted in its entirety, in this topic - http://www.northwestfishingreports.com/forum/posting.php?mode=post&f=2#preview

Mike Carey

7/28/2015 8:56:00 PM

thanks hewesfisher for clearing that up. I guess we'll be seeing a lot more guides fishing the lake, especially next year as the word gets out.

Hunter757

7/29/2015 3:56:00 PM

There goes the neighborhood...lol

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