NorthWest Kayak Anglers
Regional Discussions => Oregon Kayak Fishing => Topic started by: SD2OR on January 18, 2022, 12:28:52 PM
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Was thinking I would try GP for the first time ever, and hopefully get my first koke ever.
Would not at all mind some company, and advice is always appreciated!
Can anyone tell me the best place to launch?
From what I've read, it sounds like I should be fine flatlining, but should I bring the downrigger, just in case?
Preffered flashers, muti-blade Ford fender, or wobbler style?
Will launch around sunrise.
Thanks in advance!
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No idea what winter kokanee fishing is like but I’ve launched July-sept from the thistle creek ramp and pedaled 20-30 min over to the island and focused on the water south of it. I did go up the quartzville arm once and jigged. The Whitcomb ramp looks closer but have no idea if it is launchable. Would join you if I could. In the summer the wind can create some serious chop around 10:30 or 11. Nothing dangerous but enough to make trolling two rods a pain.
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I have not been up there this time of year but I used to put in at the little dirt ramp just before you get to Moose Creek up the Quartzville arm. They used to keep the gate locked until later so you could launch a kayak but not boats so that made it nice not to see many boats. I've used Slingblades as well as other types with success and flatlined with an ounce of weight to get 20-25' or so. I also have used a variety of hootchies with corn and krill scent. The dog legs in the Quartzville Arm are nice because if it gets windy, you can still find a shoreline that is somewhat protected. I also noticed a definite morning bite so I would start early if possible. I could always scratch them out all day, though. Good luck.
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Thanks for the input!
Last night the forecast for GP had a small chance of rain. This morning it was rain for sure, so I decided against going. Hopefully I can get out there in the next week or two.
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I've fished GP alot. Best launch at most water levels throughout the year is Thistle Creek boat ramp. CRun suggested the best kayak launch if water level is high enough. This time of year, surface fishing is probably best success. Most willing biters will be at 0-20ft depth. I prefer downrigger fishing even at these shallow depths because the GP fish are so small, an ounce of lead can be a real drag and higher probability of losing a fish when you do hook up. Orange kokanee lures with a 6" leader behind a sling blade or arrowflash dodger. Pink lures work well too, as do wedding rings. I use white shoepeg corn with tuna oil. One kernel per hook (tandem hook on my kokanee lures).
Good Luck!! Looking forward to reading your report later. :banjo:
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Thanks for the great info!
Looks like I will give it a try on Friday (1-21-22), launching from Thistle creek around sunrise.
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Look for jumpers early in the morning and cast jigs to them or troll through the bunch.
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I did some fishing out there last year in the spring. Did excellent with the kokes each time. bb2fish post suggested orange colors and wedding rings, I can give that a strong second. Also, I noticed that the krill scent outperformed all other types of scented corn I had at the time. good luck!!
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Well, it wasn't an epic day, but it wasn't bad.
The lake was glassy almost all day, and I was the only boat on the water.
Tried all the recommended rigs, using two combos, one on the downrigger, one flatlining.
Trolled around for about an hour, seeing ones and twos 30-40' deep on the finder, guessing they were trout. First hit was a 9.5" koke, on the downrigger.
I had read that they spwan in Sept. in GP, but this lil hen definitely had eggs.
That was it for that species, but I did get 3 stocker trout, one on the bug wand. Maybe 3-4 drive by bumps.
The only kokanee school I metered (at least I assume thats what they were), was directly under the big bridge, but they would not bite for me, or the guys way above me on the bridge either.
So either I'm just not dialed in yet on kokes, or it was too cold / too early...
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Thanks for the report. I've only been up there in April-ish. Looks like perfect weather for once at GP.
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Water looks GREAT ! Thanks for posting your results and sharing
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Sure thing!
I hope to see y'all on the water this year!
Pics of my lil koke and fly caught trout should be up on AOTY soon.
Have any of you ever fished for kokanee in the streams around the spawn?
Seems like that could be a lot of fun!