Riffe Lake Silvers (tutorial & underwater strike video)

Made a run up to Riffe Lake this past week to fish land locked Coho Salmon. I had never fished this lake and after doing some research I decided to target the eastern end of the lake near Taidnapam Park. Turning off Highway 12 I was blown away by the natural beauty of the areas as towering cottonwoods covered in moss lined the winding road leading to the ramp. I arrived shortly before 7 AM to find I was only the second boat on the water.



From my research I had determined that land locked coho fishing is essentially identical to kokanee fishing. About 150 yards north of the ramp I saw several coho busting the surface so I dropped my gear in and in less than two minutes I had my first fish on. I was impressed by the quality of the fight these fish put up. In less than 40 minutes I had bagged my limit of 5 and was back at the ramp loading up. Unlike kokanee these Riffe silvers have very hard mouths and stick on the hook as they hit the lure with greater intent than kokanee. Average size of the fish was 16" and all of them were caught on a combination of a Yakima Bait Company Fast Limit dodger and UV green microhoochies from Paulina Peak Tackle between 20-70' back with a 1/2 oz lead.



I used this opportunity to produce another episode in my "Cascadia Kayak Angler" series and to focus on some of the resources I use when researching a new fishery. Due to the eagerness of the fish to bite I was able to get some excellent underwater video of fishing striking the lure and bait. I hope you enjoy it!

Great video as usual. How do the silvers taste compared to Kokanee?

Great video as usual. How do the silvers taste compared to Kokanee?

A little less oily than Merwin kokanee but still very respectable table fare.

Excellent, original post Tyler, thanks.  Had no idea targeting techniques would be similar to kokes.

Very cool...thanks for the tips.  Is there a depth that you target when fishing for silvers? 

Very cool...thanks for the tips.  Is there a depth that you target when fishing for silvers?

Just like kokes I start high and work my way down. I was marking fish from top to 35' and had bites with a 1/2 oz of lead and 20-70' of line out. Down around 40' I was marking an occasional large fish which was likely big rainbows, browns, or spring chinook trucked up and released by WDFW into the lake.