Got the kicker’s cooling system working again last weekend and had been waiting for a break in the weather to give it a test run, today's conditions were a welcome change. Started out running north from Newport in search of clear water sans floating debris. The north side of Mercer Island looked to be in good shape and a short while after getting our gear in the water I picked up a 17” cutt 45’ down on a mini cut plug. The next hour proved fruitless with the sun breaking through and the slight breeze shifting from south to north. Headed to the south side of the I-90 bridge and joined a few other boats working over the kokes that had moved into the area. Boated 4 kokanee, 3 on an apex and 1 on a double whammy at depths between 40’ and 60’ down and missed a few more on the initial take. The kokes we did boat all had a serious case of gilllouse infestation, puzzling as they otherwise seemed to be in fairly good condition. To finish the day we headed further north to Groat Point and trolled up to the 520 bridge, working our way through a ton of bait without a takedown before calling it a day. It really looks like the extended algae bloom has been a boost to the lake’s shrimp and kokanee population. I have a feeling that we are going to be tossing back oversized kokes all summer long! Look for the cutt bite to pick up over the next month or so as they filter back downstream after spawning.

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