Hit the lake for the first time this year and it did not let me down once again Caught a bunch of cutts and bows releasing all but 4 total for the fry pan over the two days. Could not wait to get started so as soon as the depth started to drop I let out a 1 ½ inch spoon on the surface. 85 feet of line later I locked the bail and set the pole in the rod holder. Within a minute of trolling the drag starts clicking and my first thought is crap I snagged an underwater log. I stopped the boat and as soon as I picked it up I see a decent sized trout go skydog and I feel it on my line whoo hoo fish on!! Reeled in a nice sized cutthroat that was hooked perfectly in the mouth and even though he was well over the min size limit, I kicked him loose to be caught another day. Next thing was to set the craw fish traps in an area that has been productive over the years. Dropped them in 60 feet of water with rocky bottom and baited with salmon scraps. While moving around I noticed fish on the finder holding at about 65 feet in 150 to 180 feet of water. Switched lures to a size 4 coyote spoon in the "copcar" color (black and white) laid out 40 feet of line and sent the down rigger down 90 feet. I worked the drop offs all around the lake at a moderate trolling speed staying in 130 and 200 feet of water.. Caught several decent rainbows using this method, the largest was 14 inches. Also worked the steep side of the lake at the drops using brass or copper colored spinners, cast into the shallows and work down the slope of drop. Fish were smaller when using this method but they were hitting it like crazy. Surface water temp was 57 to 60 f. depending on the time of day, best lure colors black, black white combo, brass, copper.

A side note to someone planning on going to the lake and fishing. Shore fishing is very difficult if done LEGALLY the water is very shallow anywhere along the accessible shore. I hate to say it but a boat is really needed to productively fish this lake. If you do bring a boat keep in mind that the launch is very shallow and rocky. I cringed as I watched a guy fight to launch a big heavy fully loaded 18 foot fibreglass monster in 2 ½ feet of water. I looked at the rocks on the way back in and could see white paint, fibre shards and black from the out drive on them. Oh yea and not sure why but the overnight soak of the craw fish traps produced zero, zip, nada, absolutely no craw fish which is a first time for me at the lake. Going back at the end of the month for a few days to try again.

---