Lake Merwin Reports 2001
September
15, 2001
I was on the lake at about 7:30 am and we had 2 limits at 1:00 pm including a
nice bright 4 lb male I had on a 5 blade lake troll (silver) and a mepps green
body spinner with three balls o fire eggs.
My father in law got all females with a green wedding ring no lake troll and
orange eggs we were fishing in about 50 feet of water trolling at 25 foot depth.
We were up at the mouth of Baker(?) creek under the bridge and right at the buoys
and we were watching the kokes spawn quite an interesting site.
This report submitted by
Paul
September
2, 2001
We decided to get up at the crack of dawn (4:00 am) and head for the lake
again. We figured if we got on the lake early enough we would get a few
hours of fishing in before the Labor day "Zoo" began. We were
fishing by 6:30 and had our 10 fish limit by 9.30. All
the fish were at least 14" with the largest at about 16-1/2".
Again, a couple were beginning to turn, but were still nice and firm and fought
like crazy! Were were the first rig in the parking
lot and the only boat on the lake for about 1/'2 hour
(see sunrise picture). I finally had the opportunity of the year to get a
good picture of an Eagle "snatching a squaw fish" from no more than 30
feet behind the boat and, I missed the "real shot" because of a
somewhat "delayed" shutter release on my digital camera. I
don't know if I'll ever have a better opportunity! Again, if this
was our last trip to Merwin for the year, it couldn't have been better. We
used the same set ups as before. Shirley again caught 3 nice ones on
the silver Apex Trout Killer before having a big one break the leader next to
the boat, and losing the lure. I think we'll get a couple more before the
next trip.
This report submitted by
Scott & Shirley
August
30, 2001
Took what may be our last trip of the year to Lake Merwin yesterday
(Thursday). Took along another couple for the first time this year. We had
to work a little harder than usual, but had our 20 fish limit by 1:45 pm; just
in time to elude the early Labor Day Weekend water skiers and jet skiers!
All but one fish were at least 13 inches with most in the 14" to
15-1/2" range, and one pushing 17" (see attached photo). A
couple of the larger fish were beginning to show significant color, although the
meat was a nice brilliant orange when we cleaned them. We used pretty much the
same gear as we have detailed in past reports, with the exception that my wife
caught 3 or 4 nice ones on a silver Apex Trout Killer lure, trolled behind her 2
bladed Ford Fenders. As usual, 2 pieces of scented white corn on the hook.
Most fish were hooked at 55 - 60 feet deep. Looks like the spawn can't be too
far off and, with that, the fishing will probably slow down considerably.
I guess we can't complain; since we've caught more than 120 kokanee in our 10,
or so, trips this year. The call of the Lake is pretty strong however, so
I wouldn't be surprised if we sandwiched in another trip or two before we're
through. If not, you can bet we'll be counting the days until they start
hitting in the spring (the lake is open year around). It's been a great
year and I've enjoyed sharing our fishing experiences with you. Hope to
give Green Peter a try next year also.
This report submitted by
Scott & Shirley
August
25, 2001
Since my last report we have fished Merwin twice. Both
times have resulted in 10 fish limits on beautiful Kokes from 13 to 17 inches.
I don't know how much longer this fishery will last but the locals tell me it
should go through Sept. Hope they are right! We were on the lake yesterday
(Friday) at 7:00 am and could have had our limit by 9:00 am if we were keeping
anything under 13". We did have our limit by 11:15 with all but
one fish at least 13-1/2". The weather was perfect
with a slight chop
out of the East. Most of the larger fish were caught at 59 ft. on the
downriggers. We used the same gear as we have reported previously and
continue to do very well on the single Gamakatsu red hook, with bead (red, glow
or green) on about a 24" leader, with 2 pieces of scented white corn
trolled behind either a double bladed Ford Fender or a double bladed "Jack
of Diamonds" flasher rig. A couple of locals seemed to be doing
pretty well trolling the Apex trout killer lure behind a dodger. They were
also using scented corn. Although some of the fish are beginning to show imbedded scales,
they are still nice and bright and fat as can be. On the 15" and
longer fish, I can not get my fingers around their belly (about 2" left
between my middle finger and thumb). I've attached a few more photos of
the lake, launch ramp and a nice fish taken yesterday. Still unsuccessful
in getting a shot of the Eagles or Ospreys, but will keep trying.
This report submitted by
Scott & Shirley
August
10, 2001
Shirley and I just returned from a quick trip to Merwin this morning. On the lake at 6:45 and limited (10 fish) by 11:00am. We lost quite a few today and had to keep a couple "smaller fish" because they were hooked too deep. I am attaching photographs which should give you a better idea of the size of these fish. The largest was nearly 17" and the smallest 12". The cooler in one of the pictures has an inside dimension of 18". I hoped to get more photos of the Lake itself, and the Eagles, but the sun was always in our face which makes for lousy pictures! Maybe next time. Still using the single hook with one bead above it, and trolling at between 60 and 70 feet.
This report submitted by
Scott & Shirley
August
5, 2001
Took our 9 year old grandson on his first Kokanee trip to Lake Merwin
yesterday. Halfway there I remembered I had forgotten to take my camera.
Almost returned home to get it since I said I would
include pictures with my next report, but it was just too many additional miles!
Arrived on the lake at 8:00 am and had our grandson reeling in his first Kokanee
at 8:10. This was a smaller fish (about 11 inches) and was well hooked, so
his inexperience was not much of a factor. However, from that point on the
inexperience really took hold! Out of the next 6 fish hooked, he was only
able to land one ( a nice 14 incher ). We fished until 1pm (finally chased
off the lake by skiers and jet skis) and kept 9 fish, ranging from 11" to
15". Not a bad day considering the circumstances. Our "new
Kokanee enthusiast" had a ball! Most fish were caught at 55 - 70 feet
on the downriggers. Same tackle as previously reported.
We only caught 3 squawfish so had very few opportunities to "feed the
Eagles". The Seagulls were "quicker to the meals" on this
day. I promise I won't forget my camera on our next trip.
Good Fishing
This report submitted by
Scott & Shirley
July 27, 2001
My Wife and I fished Merwin again yesterday (Friday) arriving at the Lake at
7:30am. The first 1-1/2 hours provided only a couple Squawfish, which,
when dispatched, and thrown back, provide one of the most spectacular sights a
fisherman can witness....a bald eagle snatching the fish from the water no more
than
50 feet behind the boat! It's really interesting to watch the competition
between the Eagles, Ospreys and Seagulls for these discarded Squawfish (which,
incidentally, you will catch about every third strike). The Seagulls will
try to swoop in quick and swallow the fish before the Eagles or Ospreys can get
there. If the Seagull sees an Eagle or Osprey coming, they take off
like a scalded dog! The Osprey will give way to the Eagle but will swoop
at him, and "pester the devil" out of him, until the Eagle lands in a
tree. Quite a show!
About 9:30 in the morning the Kokanee bite took off and, by 11:30 we had hooked,
and landed 18 fish, keeping our limit of 5 each, ranging from 14" to
16-1/2". At first, while the sky was still cloudy, and the water
quite choppy, the fish seemed to be running about 40 feet deep. When the
skies cleared, and the lake calmed down, we had to go to 65 to 75 feet deep. We
caught most of the fish at that depth, and, they were larger fish. We
were both fishing with a single #2 red Gamakatsu, Octopus style, hook with a
single "glow", or "deep red" bead above the hook. To the
hook we applied 2 pieces of white corn, soaked in Crawfish Anise sticky liquid
scent. We use 4 lb test for leader at about 24" to 30" long.
My wife uses a 2-bladed Ford Fender and I use a 2-bladed "Jack of
Diamonds" troll. One additional thing we do is dip the end of our
hook (not covered by corn) into a jar of Smelly Jelly Crawfish Anise scent to
get a sort of "small gob" in the crook of the hook
between the corn and the barb. This method has been working great all year
now at Merwin and other lakes.
This report submitted by
Scott & Shirley
July 14, 2001
My wife and I have fished Lake Merwin 5 times this year, with the last trip
Saturday, July 14. We have limited out every time with Kokanee ranging
between 14" and 17-1/2". It's primarily a downrigger show, with
the fish running deep at 60 to 70 feet. I have been experimenting with
"bare hook" fishing, using a #2 red Gamakatsu hook on an approximate
24" leader, trolled behind a 2 bladed willow leaf or ford fender
flasher set-up. A dodger should also work. I put 1 bead (varying color)
above the hook. We use 2 pieces of white corn, marinated in Smelly Jelly's
Crawfish Anise liquid, and have been doing great! I used the same
technique at Odell Lake this past weekend and had the same results. Caught
85 Kokanee over a 3 day period. For early morning (before good light)
fishing at Odell, I put a couple of "glow in the dark" beads above the
hook and charged them with a flashlight before letting out. We no more
than got them out and we would have a fish on. Most of our time was spent
re-applying new corn and putting the downriggers back at 45 to 50 feet.
After it got light, a red, or chartreuse bead seemed to work best.
The Odell Koke's are bigger this year, ranging between 12" and 14".
This report submitted by
Scott & Shirley
The Kokanee Page is proudly hosted by the Coast Angler Group
including:
Fishing B.C. :: Fishing
in Canada :: Sturgeon Fishing
:: Salmon Recipes
