Whiskeytown Kokanee Report

Big changes come with each full moon phase. This last week was slow pickings for big fish. Only getting next years fish it seems, in the 12-15” range. Not ideal sizes but a good sign for next year. Copepods sparser which is interesting. Maybe all those boats thinning the herd density is affecting parasite transmission?
Seeing signs of schooling pretty good. Some areas in open water hold less or no fish. It looks like the big marks on the FF are schooling up shallow and beginning their staging for the spawn. They’ll go lockjaw for a while before busting wide open later this and next month.
Locations posted. This is where I search for early fall pattern staging fish. 76.5F in am, peaks at 78-79F. Thermocline 25-30ft, hot bite is 35-50ft. Using sliding weights primarily, 4oz 45-65ft back and 5oz 35-55ft back. 3.5 colors leadcore still producing, I was kind of waiting until they got deeper down before stripping it off for the season but can’t justify it if it’s still catching good sizes. Seems the big ones are almost always shallower than the small schools. Near structure seems to be a better bite for me. As the spawn approaches, oak bottom area should start to hold lots more fish.
Hot lures: pink and orange apex, pink wedding rings (sometimes), brads KCP with tuna in pink UV, and pink wiggle hoochie (although producing less currently). On a wide open bite, doesn’t really matter what you’re using. Giant pikeminnow s and trout taking my shallower offerings, honestly a big pain.
Wake boaters are annoying the s*** outta me started at noon. Doing donuts in the no wake 5mph, swamped and almost flipped the yak coming within 15 yards of me twice today. Saw a couple other kayaks and paddle boarders get flipped by them too. Almost ran over my leadcore lines while cutting close behind me (wonder what leadcore on a prop would do...). Saw some guys get into it with a horde of jet skiiers at the launch (pwc’s banned at this lake thank god). They tried to launch 6 of em to the protest of literally everyone. Rangers just watched the whole thing go down. It’s a s***show some days.
Tuna oil corn with garlic salt or garlic bloody tuna bottled scent is what I’m using. I promise I’ll have that advanced tackle breakdown soon, it’ll be a long one.

Pics:

Koke
Trout
Schooling Kokanee on Ff

Meat quality still excellent, bright and full scales on males. 3:1-5:1 m:f ratio most days. At least on my setups. Males are a lot bigger this time of year anyway. That will change next full moon.

I think you need to get out and fish more...

But seriously, thanks for the report. I've want to try koke fishing again sometime and your reports are inspiring!

Nice catches.   Thanks for the report and pictures ST.

Good stuff.  I wish it was closer.

I was there on yesterday, Saturday, and no bites. Spoke to others who were having the same results around the bridge and outside. Kept switching baits but still  no luck fishing deep and shallow with 5,6 and 8 oz weights. Will wait to the end of the month to make the3.5 hour ride from Ukiah.

I was there on yesterday, Saturday, and no bites. Spoke to others who were having the same results around the bridge and outside. Kept switching baits but still  no luck fishing deep and shallow with 5,6 and 8 oz weights. Will wait to the end of the month to make the3.5 hour ride from Ukiah.

Super windy this weekend, I don’t usually go out on weekends or high winds. Makes the bites and hookup ratio tough. Past week and half has been sort of a grind as well. It’s currently
Odark thirty for the good bite window. One or two other bite windows open up later in the day and an hour or two before sundown as well. I’d also stay away from the bridge area for Multiple reasons. It’s worthwhile to try to find other groups of fish. Green bridge was better earlier in the season.