04-28-2006, 11:54 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Hey Kelly, you ask a simple question, but there is not a simple answer. We have a lot of BFT members who love the Gorge, fish it a lot and still are left scratching their head sometimes. There is no set of standards that you can always rely on to always catch those fish. Even guys who live on the lake and fish it many times a year can get skunked. Fishing in general is like that. Flaming Gorge was formed to aggravate and humble fishermen.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There is a lot more to fishing the Gorge than just trolling or jigging. Each method requires some specialized tackle and techniques, in order to be successful on any specific trip. It is a combination of both science and art. You have to really have a good sonar, and know how to read it, and then you have to know how to finesse the fish into yawning for you once you find them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The most consistently successful Gorge addicts have a lot of their own GPS spots that they guard with their lives. You either have to be able to pry these spots out of the pros or fish enough to develop your own. And, you have to know a lot of spots, because they are not always good. Some days the fish will be stacked up on a certain hump, and the next day there won't be any marks on your sonar at all.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You also can't be a "one trick pony" on the Gorge. Trolling can be good some days, and on other days it just sends the fish scooting away. There will be a lot of trips that you will go fishless unless you have the right gear and know how to vertical jig for macks. A lot of jiggers fail to connect and claim they never had a bite. If they are waiting for a smashing strike, they are probably right. But sometimes they will have a dozen light "whisper takes" and never realize they should have set the hook. Macks can be incredibly light biters for their size, and if you do not have the right gear and are not tuned in, you will miss many opportunities. The deeper the water and the type of line you use (mono vs braid) can make a big difference in how much you feel.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I suggest that you go back through the Utah Archives and look at as many of the past threads on Flaming Gorge as you can get through. There is a wealth of good information in our past threads. Make notes of some of the members who seem to be "dialed in" and then send them a PM if you have specific questions.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We are all here to help when we can, but trying to provide a universal solution to a universal problem, in one post, is pretty tough.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I'm sure you will get some more input. Don't give up yet. Until you have invested about a half a lifetime on that lake you are still a rookie.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There is a lot more to fishing the Gorge than just trolling or jigging. Each method requires some specialized tackle and techniques, in order to be successful on any specific trip. It is a combination of both science and art. You have to really have a good sonar, and know how to read it, and then you have to know how to finesse the fish into yawning for you once you find them.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The most consistently successful Gorge addicts have a lot of their own GPS spots that they guard with their lives. You either have to be able to pry these spots out of the pros or fish enough to develop your own. And, you have to know a lot of spots, because they are not always good. Some days the fish will be stacked up on a certain hump, and the next day there won't be any marks on your sonar at all.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You also can't be a "one trick pony" on the Gorge. Trolling can be good some days, and on other days it just sends the fish scooting away. There will be a lot of trips that you will go fishless unless you have the right gear and know how to vertical jig for macks. A lot of jiggers fail to connect and claim they never had a bite. If they are waiting for a smashing strike, they are probably right. But sometimes they will have a dozen light "whisper takes" and never realize they should have set the hook. Macks can be incredibly light biters for their size, and if you do not have the right gear and are not tuned in, you will miss many opportunities. The deeper the water and the type of line you use (mono vs braid) can make a big difference in how much you feel.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I suggest that you go back through the Utah Archives and look at as many of the past threads on Flaming Gorge as you can get through. There is a wealth of good information in our past threads. Make notes of some of the members who seem to be "dialed in" and then send them a PM if you have specific questions.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]We are all here to help when we can, but trying to provide a universal solution to a universal problem, in one post, is pretty tough.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I'm sure you will get some more input. Don't give up yet. Until you have invested about a half a lifetime on that lake you are still a rookie.[/#0000ff]
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