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American Lake Report
Pierce County, WA

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Details

04/09/2013
56° - 60°
Trolling
Kokanee
Maggots
Pink
Cloudy
Flasher
Afternoon
51° - 55°
04/09/2013
5
2436

So today being the calm before the storm, I really wanted to get out today to American lake for a shot at my first Kokanee there in 2 years. Got to the launch at around 4:30 and started my troll across south of the island when WHAM! 1st strike of the day and a nice chunky rainbow! Well that's a good start so back in with some fresh maggots and then trolled over to Bill's boathouse and picked up another just past the dock.

This was looking good with 2 fish in the 1st 15 minutes and the weather cooperating I wanted to try the north end of the lake so trolled along the shoreline and found a point where it shallows so turned my boat west when WHAM! #3 was jumping and splashing and didn't want to come in. This was the biggest rainbow of the day pushing 15"

Picked up one more on the bend at the north end and as I was heading over to the VA my rod with my favorite go-to hootchie just about rips out of the rod holder! I grab it as it is peeling line and I see a silver torpedo leap out of the water 75 feet behind my boat. She does a couple more jumps and as it gets closer realize it is a monster Kokanee! I slowly ease it towards my net not wanted it to go ballistic before I could get her in the net and am relieved when I guide it into the net safely and hoist on board! A beautiful 18" FAT koke!!

What a way to get my limit!! Used both lines with 3/4 lead and sling blade with pink hootchie and gulp pink maggots and Mike's lunker lotion Krill scent. I put a picture again of the one that got the most action but was pretty pleased to finally break the drought for me on American for Kokanees!

See you on the water!!


Comments

Nelly1
4/10/2013 12:50:00 AM
Wow, thats a nice koke! wtg man!
Mike@Bills
4/10/2013 7:32:00 AM
great report! I am ready to hit the lake very soon. I have seen a couple kokes now so time to start hitting the water more and more. Stop by and say hi next time your on American. what a great first koke of the year.
Mike@Bills
4/10/2013 7:35:00 AM
I find it interesting that there is no difference in color from the trout fillet and the kokanee fillet. I remember when the trout used to be a lot lighter and almost white and the kokanee was bright orange.
Toni
4/10/2013 8:02:00 AM
Nice fish for sure! How fast were you trolling?
jd39
4/10/2013 9:20:00 AM
Nice fish! Yeah, I'm with Mike@Bills and a little amazed at the color of the rainbow trout meat! Looks great! That picture popped out first to me and I thought you had a limit of koke fillets on display.
I gut hooked a little stocker last weekend at Swofford Pond and when I cleaned it, it's meat was as white as perch meat :-(...amazing how different the same fish species can be in different water / conditions!
salmonbarry
4/10/2013 12:31:00 PM
Thanks Guys! Actually the picture doesn't do the kokanee justice as the meat was a deep red compared to the trout. Toni, not sure how fast~just as slow as my 4-stroke 8hs motor can go.
Mike@Bills
4/10/2013 1:10:00 PM
I raise trout and have been told that the food that they are being fed is the reason for the color difference.
salmonbarry
4/10/2013 4:01:00 PM
"you are what you eat" as the saying goes! You are right! I have found any trout I have ever caught on American that is over 12" has the nice orange meat to it. I hope to see you out there Mike~ I looked for anyone on the dock as I went by and didn't see anyone out there. I for sure should be out tomorrow afternoon and Friday for the evening bite as my wife is over in E. WA again until Sunday so have some free time! lol
Mike@Bills
4/10/2013 4:42:00 PM
I might go out tomorrow, but will be gone in the afternoon but I will look for you Friday. Good luck!
eenakok
4/10/2013 4:49:00 PM
Very nice report and pic! That koke is very nice!
kokanee_slayer
4/11/2013 6:24:00 AM
Nice Work!!!
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Darrell & Dads Family Guide Service

Phone: (509) 687-0709