I would like to share about one of my favorite fish to target and eat. The Kokanee Salmon is a landlocked form of Sockeye Salmon. In Colorado we have them in several bodies of water including but not limited to: Blue Mesa Reservoir, Gross Reservoir, Antero Reservoir, Green Mountain Reservoir, Carter Lake, Dillon Reservoir, Eleven Mile Reservoir, Granby Lake, Grand Lake, Jefferson Lake and Wolford Mountain Reservoir. I normally fish for them at Blue Mesa Reservoir, near Gunnison in southwestern Colorado. I have been taking an annual pilgrimage there since 2004, and we didn't have much success at first, but once you figure this fish out it is a fun fish to catch.
This fish lives in a large range of depths and we have seen them between 30 and 100 feet of water. Because of this, most people troll or jig for Kokanee. When trolling you need to have down riggers or leadcore line. A down rigger is basically a winch attached to a cable and a large lead ball. Your fishing line is clipped to the cable and when a fish bites, the clip releases and you fight the fish in the normal manner. Leadcore is just that, a string of lead encased in a fishing line. Both of these methods allow for accurate depth control while trolling. The main difference is that a lures depth with leadcore can be changed slightly easier than a down rigger; however, because the line is heavier the fight isn't a "fun" as a down rigger in my opinion. The main drawback to down riggers is the cost, they can run a couple hundred dollars without the fishing rod. Leadcore requires a large spool reel, I prefer a line counter, and a medium heavy rod. Leadcore is color coded and changes colors every 10 yards. For every ten yards of line that is let out, your lure should drop between four and seven feet. For Kokanee, trolling is preferred when the fish are scattered. At Blue Mesa this is the case until about the beginning of August. When a bite is felt, keep a bend in the rod, but don't muscle the fish, they have a soft mouth and you can pull the hook free if the fish is horsed to the boat. Because of their soft mouth a net is a must, don't try to lift it.
After the fish have schooled up, the preferred method is jigging. Again the fish will be deep, so a heavier jig is needed. Once the school is located, you need to vary your depth until you get bites. Use a basic motion, of lifting the rod about six inches to a foot and let it fall. It is important during the fall that you can feel your jig because at times the fish will grab it on the fall. Kokanee bites can be very aggressive or very light. I have caught fish that I didn't know were there until I felt the weight when lifting my rod tip. When jigging, as soon as you feel the bite, set the rod like you are Bill Dance and reel fast. Kokanee are notorious for running at the boat and they will escape if given the slightest chance. Don't be surprised if you get a lot of other boats right next to you when fish are being caught. It is not uncommon to have other boats within a few feet of yours. Once the boats are there everyone talks to each other and it becomes very social. You need to be prepared for it, because it will happen and the other anglers mean no disrespect by it.
My wife and I went with a guide in the middle of this month and both of us caught a limit (10 fish) in just a few hours. Kokanee fishing can be fast and furious, and it is definately exciting. For the first time Koke fisherman I recommend going with a guide you will cut a ton of time off your learning curve and you will have plenty of excellent table fare for a couple months.
One last little trick, put a piece of shoe peg corn on your lure or jig, they love it. Tight lines!!
