Had a chance to hit the Gorge again for a few days over the 4th. We spent all 3 days at Anvil Draw and had great success again for kokanne, bass, and mack pups. Water temperature ranged from 62-66 degrees depending on location and depth.
This time the kokanne fishing was better. We graphed fish from 15-55 feet (I think most of these were kokanee), but most were caugt around 30-40 feet. Biggest was just a little over 4 lbs. Most were 1-3 lbs though. The bite was very good in the morning than again in late afternoon. We fished with many lures. The best were L&J Kokaneeking small red fish spoons and crippled herring in the 1/2-1 inch size and yellow/red color. Also noticed the the bit was much harder and better when lures were scented with Anchovie smelly jelly. Anyone should easily catch their limit each day for kokanee at the Gorge right now.
We jigged and trolled for macks again. This time the small pups 14-23 inches were very aggressive. Found them in 25-80 feet, and they hit crippled herring and kwikfish in this range very good int he morning and mostly throughout the day. Again no big macks over 28 inches. Dang it, should have focused more on those. [frown] You can easy catch a limit of pups as we did but the big ones are proving very elusive for us. [frown]
Bass fishing is still very good. We still saw some fish on redds but you can catch tens of them in 5-20 feet of water right now around the shoreline. We mainly just drift-fished with Camo colored tube jigs tipped with smelly jelly and worms.
Also, there are rainbows in the area. We caught them the same way as the small mouth only 15-20 feet deeper.
There was a very good view of fireworks across the hills and we enjoyed it until around 11:30 pm. Had a blast again but those dang Macks, dang them.[frown][;)]
[fishin]I am a new member so be patient with me. I spent July 2nd and 3rd on the Gorge and shared in the Kokane fun both days. We averaged 3-1/2 to 4-1/2lb’ers using florescenet red Ospery Lures in 45 to 50 feet depth. My brother and I limited out each day and also had at least that many spit the lure as we got them to the boat. We were fishing about 1 mile south of Buckboard using downriggers.
I’ll be back this weds and thurs, only on my pontoon trying for the smallies and rainbows. I’ll let ya know how things turned out on Friday.
I only took one picture of the Pipeline area which did not include a fish. It is in my camera and the roll still has about 20 shots.
The fish are pretty much the same as my last Gorge report from about two weeks ago. Almost the same size bass ( a little bigger), lakers, and kokanee.
This doesn’t mean that I don’t like the fish wer caught but I think because it was the same place Anvil we fished and very similar fish I didn’t take pics. To tell you the truth I rarely take pictures of fish in the on the water unless it is a large fish and I will be releasing it. I am kind of fanatical and do not like loosing any time on the water. I usually keep my limits of fish and take pics of the dead ones layed on the ground or in the cooler. Just a personal preference.
Okay, for you, you I took a picture of the last fishes that I have not cleaned yet this evening out of the cooler. This is from a small digital camera, in fact it is not even mine . I like to use my regular cameral with film but it still has like I said about 20 more shots and I like to take pics of new scenery so you this is all I can provide and have for this trip. Hope you like looking ant day and 1/2 old bloody fish.[;)][pirate]
Hey glad to hear about that. For us too, again, the best lure was a red one behind a green flourescent dodger.
Most of the kokanee got away, yes, all our trolling setups are for heavier fish. I think I will end up crackind down and buying some rubber snubbers for next time. I don’t have any special kokanne poles or anything but I guess I will just leave that for the pros and be content with what I have. Too many poles in the boat anyway.
I hope you find and slay them 'bows and bass when you next head out. Will be anxious to hear about your report. Good luck. [fishin]
i was up as well. was down past buckboard. caught limmits both days i fished. best lure was a green squid behind a grean hyperplade. but caught fish on everthing i used. from 3.3 to 4.4. im going back tueday. bigger macks a farther south. tons of small macks to 15 pounds around anvil and holmes crossing. gona pound some moore silver bullets this stuff is fun. that was my first time using down riggers. i also lost a huge rainbow right at the boat. 7 maybee 8. caught the first bow that hit it 3 pounder second took my lure. ken
I never tire of the Gorge 'bows I tell you what, always fun to catch. Next time we will probably head up north of Anvil. For the second time the Mack pups there are just dang small. Will definitley have to get some about 10 lbs or above. Any tips on how to specifically target them around Buckboard or Holmes?
I am just so surprised at how small and big a bait the pups will hit. Many sizes of crippled herring and kwikfish up to size k12 they hit. They can hardly fit in their mouths and still they strike. I once read that lake trout will eat fish up to half their length ! The sad thing is that I had a new ‘Kickin’ Minnow’ Storm lure I wanted to use and completely forgot about it. It is eight inches long and I will see if it will catch me a Mack over 25 pounds so I can join the club[;)].
I believe everything you said in your post, I just think it makes the post a lot better when you post pics. Sometimes people won’t even read a post unless there are pictures. I personally never get sick of seeing pics of kokes, bows and lakers.
Thanks for the report.
You are killimg me. I still like film printout for pics. I know you can have the same thing with the new digital cameras but I spent over two hundred bucks on mine and it would be a shame to just “retire it.” Some day the cost of the film will equal or exceed the purchase price for a good digital one though.
The problem with digital is that I still can’t find an honest salesperson who will fill me in on the good and quality features of a good digital unit. All I hear is " yea this is real good has this much memory or whatnot." Dang it, I need some info. The websites on the manufacturers mosty just advertise and I need to know how the dang thing will function. I ain’t paying $300 or more without knowing wha I am buying.
but those dang Macks, dang them.[frown][;)]
. I like to use my regular cameral with film but it still has like I said about 20 more shots and I like to take pics of new scenery so you this is all I can provide and have for this trip. Hope you like looking ant day and 1/2 old bloody fish.[;)][pirate]
