Took our annual trip to Chelan last week. Stayed at Wapato Pt as usual. There was TONS of drift wood in the water this year.

Kokanee was a bit better this year than normal. Usually trolled for them first thing in the morning. Fished from Mill Bay down to Rocky Point. Used chartreuse wedding ring or silver triple teaser with corn. Most fish at 50 or 55 feet down. Caught kokes up to 13 inches. I use ultralight tackle off downriggers and have found that I have better success without pop gear. I will use a 4/0 dodger with the wedding ring and fished the triple teaser alone.

Switched to jigging for lake trout later in the mornings, but never fished through the mid-day bite period. Fished mostly "Mack Bar" just off of Mill Bay. Also got fish off the ledge out from Wapato Point and off the Narrows by the Yacht Club. Some days the wind made it hard to jig. Caught up to four fish a day in the hour or two I jigged. Caught a 16 pounder Tuesday (pictured). Marked a lot of fish on the "bar" this year but seemed to have fewer bites.

Thursday (7/17) I followed a tip I received and tried for kokanee more towards the State Park. Didn't find them there, but did get to see two nice three point bucks in velvet come down and water at the lake as I trolled by maybe 60 yards from them. Very cool!

Nice relaxing trip this year! Less fishing and more playing, but still had good success fishing!

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