Anglinarcher
5/16/2013 6:49:00 PMLOL - Did the gas smell like swamp or sewer gas? I have seen it twice at Elokia and the people at the launch mentioned they have seen it before as well. This place has a couple of strange things going on. First is that the lake is shallow and full of weeds. This produces a lot of methane over time as the bottom decomposes. There is a second funny thing that also is going on that I cannot confirm, just report second hand. I was once talking to the owners of Jerry's Landing and he told me about a time he went out in the middle of the lake and drove a pipe or rod into the bottom. As I recall, at first it was soft weeds and debris, then it was like sand or fine gravel, then the rod acted like it hit a void, noting, nota, nothing. If I am remembering correctly, it is quite possible that there is a huge gas pocket just under a layer of sand and gravel. I expect the gas to rise again - LOL.
OK, next, the Koi is not alone. I remember that someone caught one while ice fishing, I think last year or the year before. I have seen it, them a couple of times myself. I swear I am going to take my bow out there and nail that sucker........I mean gold fish.
Last, sometimes tobacco makes no difference to fish. I remember one time when I dipped my lure in gas and the fish hit. Other days even a little scent that does not belong will make a huge difference and turn them off. Over the last 50 years of fishing, I have discovered that day in and day out, he who does not smoke and he who keeps strong chemicals off his hands, will out fish the guy who uses tobacco and or has gas on his hands. Still, on some days, fish just don't take the time to worry about scents or taste.
OK, next, the Koi is not alone. I remember that someone caught one while ice fishing, I think last year or the year before. I have seen it, them a couple of times myself. I swear I am going to take my bow out there and nail that sucker........I mean gold fish.
Last, sometimes tobacco makes no difference to fish. I remember one time when I dipped my lure in gas and the fish hit. Other days even a little scent that does not belong will make a huge difference and turn them off. Over the last 50 years of fishing, I have discovered that day in and day out, he who does not smoke and he who keeps strong chemicals off his hands, will out fish the guy who uses tobacco and or has gas on his hands. Still, on some days, fish just don't take the time to worry about scents or taste.
bluegrouse bill
5/17/2013 7:30:00 AMYep, I saw the same thing last weekend. I've noticed the bubbles dozens of times though, & the awful stench that comes along with em *especially after your prop hits bottom*...Phew! The Crappie are definitely in full spawn, I saw em all over the north end. Nice work on the Bass too, I didn't do that well out there Saturday. The Largemouth are also bedding. My bro Tj caught a solid 3 lber off a bed, aggressive sucker too. We were right above him, casting a shadow & he still caught him on the first cast . I see those damn Koi here at Eloika & at several other lakes I fish- Loon, Silver, Newman, Sacheen, Clear & they're probably in every other body of water in the Spokane area. Stupid people plant stupid fish.
YJ Guide Service
5/18/2013 9:51:00 AMThe bubbles coming up this time of year have been happening every year when the lake warms. I have lived out there and fished this lake since the mid 80's and it happens every year. The koi or gold fish are most likely the white and gold colored tinch, they too have been there as long as i can remember. Jerry did drive the pipe in the middle of the lake into what felt like a void, who knows what it was it just pounded easier is all, hes one of my best friends so i know this to be true. People have dumped gold fish in there along time ago so the koi you saw could have been one of them as well. The reason this lake keeps getting shallower and shallower is its at the end of a chain of lakes and collects all the sediment as well. The weed problem has gotten worse over years as the lake is slowly filling with milfoil.