Thinking about volunteering for the DAV day in August but I haven’t fished the Berry or Soldiers Creek half before. What are my chances to be able to show the guys a good time? What areas do you find the best luck? I’m over three hours away so if I’m driving that far I usually would choose the Gorge so I’m just curious if I’d be able to show them a good time or not? What style fishing will work best there? I have downriggers and lead core rods I assume they would be the weapon of choice but I also have fly equipmentment if that would be better although it may be more difficult to fish from the boats. PMs would be fine if you don’t want your info public. Thank you J
This year Strawberry is fishing really good. They planted a bunch of rainbows for the big fish contest. Your basic tactics are working really good. Floating baits, power bait, garlic and corn flavored baits, in 15 to 20 feet of water. If you have a boat rigged with all the goodies you say you’ve got I would be pretty confident with lead line out 3-4 colors. Down rigger down 15-20 feet. I am a triple teaser guy so I prefer a little faster troll than most people. But if you are on the fence about coming and donating your time and your equipment jump in. They are going to have a good time weather they catch a fish or some fish or a lot of fish. Just a little tip: There are a few of them guys that will run hand held radios and share with where and how they are getting them. I have been to a couple of these and the commaradaree is awesome for vets and none vets. Feel welcome.
Pikeman thanks for the input I guess in the pre meeting those that know the area can point us newbies in a general direction that will work. Or maybe I can go graph the area from 6:00 till 7:00 so I have an idea where I want to be. Do the captians typically fish as well or just attend to your guests? Thanks for the additional info. Later J
Watching a wounded warrior catch a fish is a reward in and of it’s self but yes, you do get to fish too. It’s a lot like taking a fellow fishing that you just met at work. Most of them will/can/did out fish me last year.
If you know your stuff and it sounds like you do then you’ll have a blast up there. Once you get into fish stay on them because they come in bunches there more than any where else I know of.
Hey Jeff, if you want, I’d be willing to pre fish it with you. I don’t fish the Berry much any more, just too easy, like most trout fishing but if you want to learn the ropes, I’d be glad to show you, maybe even catch a few kokes while we are there. There are two methods that work there, trolling or jigging, jigging produces the most fish, most of the time, you just need some chub or shinner minnows. When it comes to jigging its all about location, you need to find a good group of fish and move if you don’t. I feel the same way though, in most cases I would rather drive to the Gorge than to the Berry.
Good post and good question, I normally fish the strawberry side as well so I’m glad you asked. I have the Friday off prior to the event and had planned on fish that evening as well. If I’m able to gather any kind of good info I promise to share. I have a marine radio on my boat so I be monitoring the normal channel as well. Hope to see you up there!
On a side note, I work at Hill AFB and was very happy to see blanket emails sent out base wide telling about the event. God bless the USA and our fighting men and women!
I know what you’re saying typically I have as much fun seeing my guests catch the fish as well. And I usually only put my poles out to help dial in what lure they like that day and once the fish are on the bite I spend most of my time taking off fish and baiting hooks as well as trying to drive straight. I look forward to coming down and joining the fun. Later J
Hey Curt I appreciate the offer and I may take you up on that offer if I decide to camp down there. I may just day trip it though so I’ll have to get back with you as the day gets closer. Do you get the larger fish jigging like Bear Lake? That’s getting close to spawn season for the Kokes so I hope some will still bite they are great fun. Could make a nice looken creel if we could get Cutts, Kokes and Bows. Thank you for your input it sounds like it will be a fun venture. Later J
Thanks for the support on this I know the BFT crew is great for helping when ya look into a new venture and so far they always get me on the fish. If I don’t have a marine or Hamm radio will there be feeds on the FRS band? Sorry I’m mostly a small puddle guy I guess.
I seen the DAV notice on the computer at Hill this morning as well it must have been well read I see the number of boats has really jumped today. It’s a great way for us to give a little back to our hero’s that put it all on the line. I look forward to doing my best to show these brave soldiers a great day out. Thanks again for the assist. J