Our Day Two Conconully Adventure took us to the Upper Lake. Once again, JoAnn slept in while I awoke with the birds and ran down to the lake. Yes, all of two miles or so and I had my boat launched and on the water, gear down by 6am. Within seconds of lowering the downrigger to 31 feet deep the rod did the kokanee dance and I was in to my first Upper Conconully lake kokanee.

I ran my standard gear. The hottest rig was a small dodger in rainbow colors, 10” leader, and pearl hoochie with a Colorado blade. Add to that a couple pieces of corn (thank you rseas for the soon to be released to NWFR readers recipe). The action was almost too easy. I mean, running two rods seemed not fair. These fish are plump, feisty 12-15” kokanee, full of piss and vinegar. In 45 minutes I was done and relaxing, but not for long.

I returned to our cabin at Liar’s Cove Resort and got JoAnn and our dogs. Back to the lake we went. Lines in the water by 8am, it was JoAnn’s turn since I had already caught my five fish. Once again, different verse, same as the first. Five fish in under an hour and we were done fishing by 9am.

Word to the wise, drop your gear down below the rainbows, which are thick in the top 20 feet or so. We stayed at 28-33 feet deep and only caught kokanee. For a change I’m not going to give a specific location. I will say, the second the boat was in the water I was marking kokanee. I don’t think it would even matter where you started.

Another thing – the town of Conconully could really use some tourism support. They had a tough year last year with the fires. There are plenty of fish to be had. Gene, owner at Liar’s Cove Resort told me beside the state planting 25-35,00 kokanee and trout each year, the Chamber of Commerce planted lots of trophy and marked fish as well. So if you’re looking for a new adventure to check out, please consider the town of Conconully.