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Took a good friend to Rock Lake to target the spawning Brown trout yesterday. While we came up empty, in terms of browns, the fishing for the rainbows was exceptional. A number were smaller plants. In the 10" range that we released. But, we kept several larger fish for the smoker. The largest of which measured 18".

We started at the north end of the lake. On our way back, we hit the shoreline on either side of the lake. (At this point, we were back down towards the south end. Within a mile of the launch.)

The most effective tackle for the day was the 1.8" OG1 in fluoro-blue/fluoro-pink fished behind a 4.25" Apocalypse Signature Dodger from Rocky Mountain tackle. This combo accounted for over 90% of our fish. (This color had been requested by a guide in Northern California. Yesterday was the first chance I've had to fish it.)

We were fishing with 30 feet on the downrigger cable. Trolling speed was between 2.23 and 2.62 mph.

strikezone

11/1/2020 8:06:27 AM

Donn: Great report. Wow-you were really moving. I usually fish my Old Goats naked without any flasher at about 1.6-1.7 mph. Interesting and do exceptionally well. Hope to fish Roosevelt from around the 11th thru the 14th. Will have to give your method a try if mine doesn't work out.

oldgoatlures

11/1/2020 9:18:14 AM

Keep me posted and let me know how you do on Roosevelt! (We tried multiple sizes/colors on Rock. That smaller 1.8" blue/pink was definitely the most productive lure.)

downriggeral

11/1/2020 8:12:38 AM

Thanks for the report Donn. Haven't fished there in years. The fall and winter fishery was always my favorite. Did well on three colors lead core with the speed about where you were running. How was the launch depth? Do you launch over the bank?
Thanks - Alan

oldgoatlures

11/1/2020 9:22:18 AM

Al: The launch is a little dicey. I end up putting on a pair of chest waders with chains on the boots. (The rocks are slick.) We get the trailer back to the edge and then I get my shoulders under the bow and work the boat off. Makes me appreciate a poured-concrete launch...

rwl

11/4/2020 6:30:41 PM

I may have seen you guys trolling around at the Johnson Beach area. I was solo in a 15 foot bass tracker. I haven't been having any luck on the rainbows for some reason, but have caught a few nice browns. Casting crankbaits and swimbaits mainly.

oldgoatlures

11/4/2020 6:44:21 PM

I think i remember your boat near Johnson. We picked up a nice 'bow there. But, no browns...

rwl

11/5/2020 10:28:39 AM

I think I've seen you guys a couple other times previous years too. The browns seemed pretty skittish, a lot of followers, took about 30 casts per fish and they only turned on once for about 30 minutes then went back to hard slogging. Weird thing is that there are usually a lot of nice rainbows mixed in with the browns. I didn't try as far north as you were with that nice rainbow. Better size though compared with the last few years. Tuesday further south near the edge of the big rocky shelf area I C&Red a nice 22" female trolling.

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