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Fished the Keller area for kokanee starting around 8:30 on Sunday. We knew it might be tough fishing based on rising water and a storm forecast to come in around 2 in the afternoon. Caught the first fish of the day on the lead core at three colors and 1.7 mph with a UV Simon dodger and a pink/UV hoochie set up. We got the first koke on the same rig around 9:00 and thought we might be into them. Caught another one of the silver beauties around 9:30 and then one more around 10. Not exactly fast fishing but enough to keep us interested.

We continued trolling for the next four hours without a bite and finally caught one more trout around 18 inches. We finally moved down stream and were exploring when the rain started around 2 as predicted. Maybe this will help? Up to that point all of the fish had come on my rods; one lead core and the other on the downrigger at 16'. Ron's pole finally came to life landing another koke just shy of 20". These fish are so strong, what a blast to catch them. His pole went off again when we were putting it out and we didn't get that one in the boat. We turned around and trolled back to where we hit fish and caught another ; yahoo one to go for the six wild fish limit for the three of us. It didn't take long and we had the sixth fish in the boat in the pouring rain around 3:30. Long day for sure.

We ended up with 3 bowes and the six kokanee ranging from one "small" 18 incher to the others just shy of 20" with one making the 20" mark. Long day for sure but we are so spoiled with this fishery.

Tight lines - Alan

PS We really appreciate the courtesy of the fish checker at the launch. What a wealth of information Brandy had.

Part-Time

1/21/2016 4:16:00 PM

Thanks for detailed report. I've had the bite die around 9:30 also. I'm always looking for a dodger that might just be a little better, produce fish when the others wouldn't. Had to look up the Simon dodger , haven't ever seen one but based on your report one may find it's way into my box sometime in the future.
Thanks for the tip about just going heavier on the fluorocarbon that you posted to my report. Think it is possibly the easiest solution. Didn't know that the Kokanee were not leader shy.
And hey, a long day on Roosevelt with friends is not a bad thing. Never really been sure why so many people want to limit out in 2 hours and go home. Just being there is a good thing.
Mark

salmonbarry

1/21/2016 4:56:00 PM

Great report Alan! Glad to see you chasing those silver bullets in the snow! (look more like blimps!) Fatties!! See you hopefully this spring!

strikezone

1/21/2016 5:36:00 PM

Alan; Boy Oh Boy! Those look like silver blimps to me. I sure hope we can get over there this year before the bit drops off. Thanks for sharing.

Denny
Happy Daze

afk

1/21/2016 7:52:00 PM

Hey Alan, Great lookin' fish! I'll be hitting it the the AM and again on Sat. Thanks for the report. Andy

Mcfisherson13

1/21/2016 7:58:00 PM

Now that's a true gentalmens report! Honesty is by far the best policy i'v found. Appreciate the detailed info, will be there in the am to get after it in the rain. Will post after we dry out, and will be out sat. Too.
Again thanks for the tricks!
Mcfish

Hunter757

1/22/2016 4:42:00 AM

Sweet!! Nice looking fish and thank you for sharing. I think next trip to my brother in laws in Idaho were going to bring the boat and hit this lake up for a few of them silver bullets and burbut in that lake.

Fish Dawg

1/22/2016 1:46:00 PM

Nice report, Al, thanks for posting! Glad to see you got into some of those fat kokes!!

Is that fishery still good in February? I'm tied-up next two weekends but after that I might be able to break free for a trip over the hill to take a shot at them!

Did they hit on any of the new toys I sent your way?

Dawg

ridgeratt

1/22/2016 9:20:00 PM

Al those fish are enormous next to the Loon fish!!
Great Report!!

downriggeral

1/23/2016 12:41:00 AM

Barry, we'll see you in the Spring at Chelan for sure. Will be with Dawg again at the park.
ridgeratt - those are enormous next to Loon fish!! But night fishing is still a hoot !
Andy - Go get em
Denny - hope you can get over one of these days
Dawg - Ya caught several on the new toys, thanks. Come on over and we'll see what we can do about hooking up some of those "blimps"

hewesfisher

1/23/2016 7:40:00 AM

Great report Al, nice kokes for sure. I need to get away and wet some lines soon....

rseas

1/26/2016 8:12:00 AM

Love those kokanee and congratulations. I need to get over there and show a few of those fish the inside of my fish box.

Was wondering; what is your protocol at the ramp when it is freezing out? Do you bring a sand bag and scatter it on the ramp befor you back down the ramp or is slipping not a concern?

downriggeral

1/26/2016 9:18:00 AM

rseas - We always have a bucket of sand with us just in case. I buy tube sand that has not been wet, very important. Put it in a 5 gallon bucket with a lid. The ramps sometimes can be icy since excited fishermen don't take the time to stop and allow the trailer to drain off at the waters edge and then take a different track out to keep from icing the ramp where you back in.

I use a four wheel drive truck and have it equipped with studded tires in the winter. Makes a big difference when you have to drive in the snow and ice a lot. I know you don't need all of that where you live so just check the ramp for ice and sand if needed. All of that said you could just give me a call and you could come along on one of the trips with us. Heated boats with a full top are nice in the winter!!

Tight lines - Alan

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