Chelan Jiggin'

Chelan!  Laketrout tourney!

Actually that's not a great idea cuz the fish are like 200 feet down and I don't think most of us have DRs.  BUT, a Kokanee tourney at Alder Lake, or something like that would be hot. 

Jigging lakers at 200 feet works perfectly well in Chelan.  No DR needed.

So ... how about we get our Chum Thing on this fall?

-Allen

What do you recommend for jigging at Chelan in 200+ ft?  Anything squishy that glows?  What weight Jig Head?  Would it be best to use braid for good hook sets with so much line out?

Sweet

More details.

That's a 2 ounce spearpoint jig.  And a Yamamoto Kreature.  BTW, this is a killer combo in the salt too.

I don't think it matters much ... here's another creation that has caught lakers.  That's a B2 glow mini-squid in front of a blue/green crawdad I had laying around.  I was looking for a bit of glow and a bit of bulk.



Braided line good.  Tipping with bait is good too.  I tip with a herring fillet.  Find the schools on the FF and work them.

Those pics were from late March a number of years ago.  So go get them NOW.

-Allen

How about a campout/fishing trip in April/May? I'm heading to Crescent and Odell Lakes on the first weekend in May for lakers and browns. Chelan would be another road trip to plan...


Jay

If there is interest for others to go, I'll see what I can do about getting a group campsite at the state park. 

I'll definitely be heading out there in April and May... and June, July, August, September.  I think my last trip out there was October last year.  I love it out there.  Open, clean, beautiful.  If it was closer I'd go every weekend.

For planning purposes, I'm open through May except for the 1st weekend and weekend of the 22nd.

Jay

I'm interested. Always wanted to fish Chelan. I can get into jigging for lakers. I'll bet there might be some fly fishing opportunity there, too.

I'll bet there might be some fly fishing opportunity there, too.

Springtime smallies in the boulder fields!!!

-Allen

BTW, the lakers are feeding on either the mysis shrimp or the kokanee following the mysis shrimp.  So an iron or a swimbait are also good options to match the "kokanee hatch".

-Allen

Good News!  I'm heading out to Lake Chelan on the 23/24/25 of April.

Bad News!  It's my girlfriend's birthday and she wants to spend the weekend up at Stehekin, which likely means I will not get any fishing done.

 

Within a few weeks, I'll be throwing something together for May I hope.  Camping at the State Park down at the south end of the lake.

I just won a premium membership on WALakes.com, so I have access to all the GPS hotspots from the guides now   

Dang, we were hoping you'd get more exploring and recon done for us, but at least we'll be able to tag along while you chase those "guide lies."  You know, the spots the guides publicly recommend, while going elsewhere, to better, undisclosed spots with their clients

Have good time!

As kayak anglers, our options are somewhat limited, since the lake has relatively limited access.  If I recall correctly, from the State Park to the other side of the lake, there is a ridge.  It drops off on either side, but the north side goes deeper.  Find the contour line corresponding to the depth you are targeting (start at 180-220) on the north side of the ridge and fish it anywhere along that.  Again, search for the schools.  You may see schools suspended 30-70 feet down.  These are kokanee.  Fish for them if you wish (of course use different tactics for the kokes).  It's the schools closer to the bottom that are the macks.  Early in the morning the macks may be spread up the water column as they followed the mysis shrimp that tend to go towards the surface at night and back down as daylight comes on.  And if you get bored, put a hunk of nightcrawler or liver on your jig and target the burbot right on the bottom.  No need to jig too much, it's the scent that draws them in.  If you've never caught one of these, give it a try.

-Allen

I sort of stumbled upon this Chelan Fisheries Management Plan while trying to find a bottom contour map ... http://www.nwcouncil.org/fw/subbasinplanning/lakechelan/plan/Appendix%20D%20Fishery%20Mgmt%20Plan.pdf

I never did find the bottom contour map I was looking for though.

-Allen

I've seen a contour map for the place before.  Seems the area from 25 mile creek state park, on down to the lower end is around 200 feet in most areas.  The guides always post reports saying "rocky point" "dropoff" and such.  My very first trip out there I was able to hook into a 17.5" Mack about 100 or so yards from the shore, but this was the area where the lake is 1500 feet deep.  This next time I'll be at the other State park at the south end.  Gonna Jig, and/or troll with the Downrigger.

I hear burbot is poor man's lobster if  you cook it right 

Oh, looking at May 8th or May 22nd for Chelan.

AND BONUS!  Looks like we're NOT going to stop off on 97 to camp Friday night, and just push through to Lake Chelan State Park.  I may wake up early and get to fish on Saturday before the ferry leaves for Stehekin!