American Lake Boondoggle 1 Feb

A decent portion of the South Sound crew is getting together this Saturday, 1 Feb for an impromptu cabin fever Boondoggle.  Meeting at the public launch off exit 120.  I will be getting there before the sun rises to hit the kokanee bite, the fishing had been decent lately.  The just stocked it with fresh trout, the CTT action had been pretty good and the kokanee bite is red hot with the average kok right around 14 inches.  Come join us.  I might bring a grill, we will make much ado about nothing.

I'm in! I'll also be there early but will likely launch from Russell's Landing.

I might swing by if people are hanging out on shore afterwards. Still injured and I'll have the kiddos while babymomma be making that money yo, so no fishing for me this weekend.

As long as Gordon is Guaranteeing kokanee limits, I'm in. Those stalker trout make for great big ling bait.

Sounds like fun, but I can only make Sunday events.   I think something is going on this  Sunday?  I will have to check my calendar.   

Look forward to a great report.

I hope to be able to join you guys.  Its been a while since I've been out - need to check for barnacles and polish the teak on my yakcht.

As long as Gordon is Guaranteeing kokanee limits, I'm in. Those stalker trout make for great big ling bait.

No guarantees from me...Koke limits have been tough lately but I've always managed a couple. Trout have been easy picking and I've already got a couple freezer bags full of that "Ling Candy"

Channel 69 on the VHF,  I will get a jumbo pack of chicken legs and start the grill around 11.  If you want, bring something to put on the grill.  the weather is partly cloudy, 46 with a 10 percent chance of rain and 4mph wind so it should be really nice out there. 

I will come out for a few hours see y'all out there

I'll try to come over with the the kids around 1245

Would love to fish but gotta work til noon

I'll be out there.  Gotta bring home some more Kokanee for the wife.  I already have my marching orders!!!

As long as Gordon is Guaranteeing kokanee limits, I'm in. Those stalker trout make for great big ling bait.

No guarantees from me...Koke limits have been tough lately but I've always managed a couple. Trout have been easy picking and I've already got a couple freezer bags full of that "Ling Candy"

Gordon, since you practically live on that lake. Can you give us a break down on what has been working best out there?

I had really good Kokanee success in Nov/Dec with quick 5-fish limits...several times was done fishing and home before the wife woke up.
I just trolled a flasher/hoochie setup (pink, orange or purple are the best colors) off the downrigger at whatever depth I was marking fish on the FF.  Small Dick Nite spoons in pink/white/chartreuse are a good way to change it up if they quit hitting the hoochies. In addition to the downrigger, I'd always run a 2nd rod "flatlined" with a 3/4 oz sliding egg sinker above a 6' leader...I'd say at least a third of my hookups came off the flatline and that rod was always more active in the very early morning hours. leader lengths (between the flasher and hoochie) are important...I find 8-10 inches is most productive. Also, liberal use of scent WILL increase your bites...Anise is my favorite...slather the flasher and "fill up" the hoochie body with scent.
I also tip my hootchies with pink or white "Gulp" maggots...some guys use white shoepeg corn or pieces of worm but the gulp maggots worked great and they stay on the hook very well.
Trolling about 1.5-1.75 MPH is most productive but they key is to vary your speed...a change in speed is what usually triggers the takedown. A good method is to troll is an "s" pattern as this will naturally vary your speed...especially if you're running two rods as the inside rod will slow down and the outside rod will speed up as you make your turn.

Kokes are most active in the first two hours of daylight... For trout shift to hitting the points and steep dropoffs with spoons, kwikfish and jointed rapalas. There are some big fat triploid rainbows and Cutthroats in American lake too.  Last weekend I was dragging a big jointed rapala along the bottom of the steep dropoff (off a downrigger) on the west side of the lake (west of silcox island) and I had a huge takedown and brief battle with what felt like a very big fish...too big for my Kokanee rod and 6lb flourocarbon...snap.

While we're talking about line, braid is a very poor choice for Kokanee as the zero stretch will result in them getting off every time...they're spastic fighters and often jump completely out of the water. Also a light or ultralight rod is the ticket...and a slow steady retrieve is a must.

See the attached map for my favorite areas to fish. Fil, jump in here and add your thoughts or contradictions

Everything you just said is spot on, I will post where I have found as hotspots and pictures of the lures/rigs I use later tonight, my tactics and techniques are almost identical.