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For a change of pace, we decided to head for Lake Cavanaugh. We figured the calm unpopulated waters would be an excellent escape from today realities. Well, that and the fact that I wouldn’t have to do the whole wash-down thing when we got home. After an uneventful drive up the hill we were the first to launch and we were floating by 7:00. Leaving the launch area in pea soup fog we slowly worked our way up the lake. About the time the fog lifted we dropped the kicker and started our hunt.

Being our first Cavanaugh trip of the year, we started with four completely different rigs. Although I can run 4 downriggers, we opted for two downrigger rods and two lead-line setups. All four were sporting a variety of Arrow Flash dodgers. We cycled through many gear combinations and all of them saw some action. The hot setup of the day was a green lace Arrow Flash dodger followed by one of my chartreuse custom kokanee flies. The fly was tied on about 10” of 12# fluorocarbon with a UV Smile Blade and tipped with tuna corn.

Our trolling speed was around 1.0 mph and we typically chased meter marks. All our fish today were hooked off of meter marks. An interesting observation; all our kokanee action was off the downriggers running between 46’ and 54’. Very strange for this time of the year. Also, very strange was that one of the kokanee and 2 of the cutts had full size eggs.

I would say that we did just OK today, we had to work for our fish. The meter marks were few and far between but when we did locate one, we always pulled fish out of it. It was a great day on the water and we went home with 6 kokanee to 13” and 4 cutthroat to about 14”. We also released a bunch of smaller kokanee, cutts and a 13-14” juvenile chinook. The presence of chinook in the lake is interesting and we catch a few every spring. I don’t know if they are landlocked or if they hold in the lake for a year before venturing out to sea.

It turns out that we were not the only ones on the lake today, the place was packed. When we pulled out just before 2:00 we were fourth in line just to get to the beach. Crowd or no crowd Cavanaugh is one of our favorites. Our good friend Andy and a pal of his were also out on Andy’s boat and Jeff from the website and his boys were also enjoying a bit of Lake Cavanaugh sunshine. While assuring that we kept 6’ apart we made Tacos al Pastor for the gang to close out an already perfect Sunday.

rseas

3/23/2020 12:51:55 PM

Correction:
"...and 4 cutthroat to about 15”

reynoldsj

3/23/2020 6:01:45 PM

Nice report! Yes we had fun too. Thanks for adding us in your report. My boys had alot fun. Good day!

jcorgatelli

3/24/2020 1:09:22 AM

Thanks for your share i love pinnaple terriaki smoked kokkanee that i do.Nice looking fish.

Mr. Golfball

3/24/2020 6:19:22 AM

No doubt the word is out. I was beginning to think certain fisherman had a Lake Cavanaugh silver spoon up their after Jeff's report I went up for three hours and not a wink. There was only two of us on the lake that day. I've been back up several times since not to be denied. I just kept throwing different combos at em, all of which caught fish last year. I wouldn't say the action was setting my pants on fite but it sure was enough to keep me interested. The average in four hours(which is about all my back can handle) was about a half dozen fish. Your exactly right RSEAS. chartuese seemed to be their favorite color. I don't think I marked any fish less than 40' down and most are almost hugging the bottom. Well team as I said the word is out. Sunday the parking was full and I too had to wait a couple boats before I could pull the boat out so the earlier getting their the better. With all that's going on right now, I can't think of a better activity that we all love that keeps us 6' apart. To finish, less than 40 minutes from home, a very pleasent drive, and for sure one of the prettiest spot I know. Five stars, fish or no fish

Ben Eggertsen

3/24/2020 1:20:26 PM

As usual, a really interesting, fun and informative report.

I am a bit puzzled about the fully developed eggs. I wonder whats going on with that development.

rseas

3/24/2020 1:32:05 PM

The egg thing has me frosted also. I've been researching this but nothing so far.

buc

3/24/2020 9:32:32 PM

wacos ......ummmmmmmmmmm

JoshH

4/3/2020 10:41:57 PM

I was out there on March 21st, day before you. I found chartreuse to be the most effective as well. I got my 10 kokanee and 5 cuts, but I put work in for them, fishing from 7:30am - 2pm. Worth the grind though!

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