This report submitted by Dan Straitwood. Odell Lake Reports
August 16-18, 1996
I fished Odell 8-16, 8-17, 8-18. We tried trolling the first morning out. Had several strikes in the 6:00am to 7:00am range but could not get any hookups. Saw many fish on the fishfinder. By the next day we had figured out that jigging was the way to go. We joined the 20 boats anchored in 100 feet of water off of Princess Creek and jigged on the bottom with pink and white nordic jigs tipped with corn and sprayed with WD-40. We talked with a couple who were using no corn and fished with Baitfish Formula 2 attractant ( I bought some this week at Shopko). They caught their limits both days we were there. The three of us managed to catch 15 on the last day out. Great place. I have never seen so many fish on the screen anywhere.
Quite a challenge to anchor in 100 feet of water. I couldn't hold my boat with anything more than a gentle breeze.
I'm going to try this bottom jigging at Green Peter this weekend so will let you know if I can get anything to work.
I fished Green Peter on 8-10-96. Trolled most of a day there and
caught 7 fish for the four of us in the boat. Most were small. Seems to be an
off year up there.
This report submitted by Dan Straitwood.
July 29, 1996
Odell again re-affirmed it's reputation as the best Kokanee lake in the state of Oregon for me. I arrived around 10:30 am. the 29th and quickly set up camp. The lake was like glass! Surely this condition would not last long. But for the next three hours I fished, the conditions were perfect. First I tried a little West of Princess Creek like the campground host had suggested. I marked fish everywhere I fished. Then I went straight across the lake and tried the point there. I managed to catch a half dozen fish before the heat wore me out and the fish seemed to quit biting around 1:30. That night I was treated to some severe thunder storms. Have to admit I was impressed. (that's a nice way of saying scared :-)
In the morning the day broke calm and clear. While I was preparing
the boat I saw a boat headed toward the West end of the lake, toward Trapper
Creek and the slide. Seemed like he knew exactly where to go. So I headed in
that direction and stopped about half way where I had seen good concentrations
of fish the day before. After some time with no hits I noticed on the binoculars
there was a large concentration of boats at the far end. So off I headed and
trolled right down the middle of them. Most people were using Buzz Bombs and
appeared to catch an occasional fish. I started at 65 feet trolling a red Wedding
ring, Potski egg, and kernel of corn. No luck so I dropped it down to 73 feet.
I started catching an occasional fish. The bottom was 108 feet to 101 feet.
I noticed on the finder quite a few fish near the bottom so I lowered it to
104 feet and immediately caught a fish. I then proceeded to catch my limit while
onlookers kept asking me what I was using, how many you got, the limits 20,
etc. etc. After my bad luck at Green Peter this really felt good. I believe
I could have kept catching fish all day, barring wind. Trolling at 104 feet
makes it difficult to tell when you're getting bites, the calmer the better.
I was through for the day at 9:30. Another great trip for Kokanee. Word of note.
I was using RED, size 6, Gamakatsu single hooks. Only lost three fish the whole
time. That article in the Salmon Trout Steelheader paid off good (the corn was
flavored with Anise).
This report submitted by Robert J. Nolan.
April 4, 1996
Opening week-end was very cold at Odell. The campgrounds were
closed although the resort at Shelter Cove was open and wet and muddy! Kokanee
fishing was very hot as usual, I ran into good am & pm bites, but using
popular jigging techniques I caught kokes all day while I did see some getting
skunked. I didn't get any Mac's (last year I hooked and netted a 16 lb Mac using
a 5' 3" rod and 6 lb test) and I will never forget that thrill. I could
sure use some info on what are the best jigs to use for Macs at Odell. I refuse
to troll. I also would like to know where the Macs hang out. I have a great
fishfinder and I can see my jig on the screen most of the time. Only thing is
I see millions of fish at all depths in all depths of water but don't know which
are kokes or trout or Macs. Does anyone? Thanks again!
This report submitted by Dan MacNeil, THE "HAZEL DELL HOOKER".
Visit Fishing the Northwest
with Dan.