Hard to rate trip a 2, but wasn't a 3, and although targeted species was kokanee, we didn't catch any, but did catch some RBT.

0430 departure put us at the boat barn right at 6am. Unload/load gear, rig boat with downriggers, hook up boat then off to launch pulling away by from dock just after 6:30 and heading south. Target water was a specific spot in the San Poil that has produced for me in the past. As I neared Sterling Point realized we left downrigger weights behind, well crap, not running back now so said we'll salvage the day with banana weights. :-/

Had to get a bit creative as I only had 1oz banana weights but, even though less than ideal, was able to produce a "functional" riggingl. Set gear and we were fishing! Second pass and I get a strong takedown, 2 leaps clear out of the water, bright silver, and I'm hopeful we've found some kokes. Nope, just a really nice rainbow I estimated was 19" or better but had that pesky extra fin. We didn't remove it from the net, carefully removed hook and released. Swam a little slowly on the surface, so I watched it closely as it went behind the boat. I see movement out of the corner of my eye just as there was a tail slap as that trout dove for the deep and eagle swooped in where it had been, all not more than 20' behind the boat! Seconds later and that trout would have been an eagle's breakfast.

Back to fishing again and after an hour of no further action moved to a different spot in the San Poil for about an hour before deciding to head upstream. Not long after I managed to lay into another nice RBT with the extra fin which self-released in the net. Told my buddy to put him in the water but keep it in the net so I could get a quick pic.

We each caught and released a few of the recent net pen fish before I hooked another nice RBT which also put on a surface display, going airborne twice. Fully expected this one to have the extra fin, but did no, so finally slip one in the cooler. Turned out it was the only one to make there as we pulled gear and headed for launch at noon.

I was pulling a pink Apex first behind a 4/0 UV chrome dodger until we left the San Poil then changed to a pink/purple sling blade. I also ran leaded line out 200' with a smaller pink Kekeda fly. The first RBT came on the Apex and last two on the Kekeda. I tipped both with Berkley power maggots. My buddy was pulling a pink fly/spinner combo without a dodger and was using his "home brew" corn.

Kept trolling speeds at 1.4 - 1.8 per the Luhr Speed and we fished depths from 25' - 200'. Surface temps ranged from 69.6° - 69.9°. Was actually a very nice day on the water and nearly calm conditions.

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