I wasn't sure if I would be fishing the SU Opener and sort of last minute got a crew together. I couldn't pre-fish and information was limited except very few kings being taken. Thus it seemed fishing for Lake Trout our best option. It was a little choppy from the SE so headed to 38.5 north just off the third hill and planned to skirt the 100' depth bouncing bottom for LT at 1.4-1.6 on the Depth Raider with 42 down 60’ and 48.5 on the surface.
The kicker motor lift wouldn't go down so started trolling with the 200hp 2 stroke wondering how long before I would foul a plug. We didn't have all the lines out and the center rigger on the bottom with white dodger/Brad's Spotted Cow screamed out like I hadn't heard in a longtime. It was a long run and work to get the line back but in the net she went and the biggest I've boated in about 4 yrs at 19#. Craig said might be a winning weight! I was just letting out the line to reset it and the corner rigger with exactly the same set up also on the bottom started bouncing. I turned to get the net and theew was a fish splashing on the surface and totally surprised that a coho took the dodger/Spotted Cow sliding on the surface 10' behind the boat. Off to a great start!!
The kicker lift worked when I tried it again so must have a dead spot in the motor. We trolled through pod after pod on the bottom from 38.5 to 45.0 north with the waves in around 100fow and one coho and one more LT to show for and they both came on a weapon with white dodger/Brad's Bloody Nose skipping the bottom. Missed a dandy bow on 5 color on the Purple Octopus spoon that would eventually get hit 2 more times.
I maybe should have abandoned the 100' Laker journey sooner but started out well and tons of bait and marks. Turned west at 45.0 north and took a SW heading and picked up to 1.8-2 on the Depth Raider and put out some coho stuff. Had a coho on Cerise ThinFish on mono back 25'. 1 for 2 Coho down 30 Trash Can dodger/Brad's NBK. Put the same setup on 8 color and took a nice LT. 60 down yellow/green/glo dodger/Brad's MT Doo nice LT. Missed a big fish on 5 color Purple Octopus that we couldn't move and came unbuttoned and figured not hooked in the mouth. 45’ down missed a really big fish on MT Dew/Orange Inticer and fly that came unglued. UGH! 60' rigger went again and another LT. Go figure 3 LT suspended in a little over an hour vs 7 mi troll and 2.
The good news in the 19# king took the big fish prize of $1000. Scott Decore donated the prize and as luck would have it he was right beside us when we hooked up the king. He was kind enough to turn out to give us room to do our work. A double thanks to Scott. We took 7th place with 76#. Sea Mate won for the second year in a row and found I believe 5 kings and three tipped the scales around 50#! Scott's boat, Hawg Gone took second in the 333 South West Series contest with 3 LT at 47#.
Too bad more of you didn't show for a fun event. One of the best parts was the fish fry afterwards for $10/boat. Deep fried salmon nuggets, cole slaw, French fries etc. The line was always long as most went back for seconds on that great salmon. Thanks to the chefs and to all those who worked very hard to give the rest of us an opportunity to have a great time.
Grey Beard
