Alright, let’s talk about this kokanee fishin’ stuff. You know, catchin’ them little silver fish. Folks call ’em kokanee, I just call ’em good eatin’. But you gotta have the right gear, or you’ll be sittin’ there all day with nothin’ to show for it but a sunburn.
First off, you need a good fishin’ pole. Now, don’t go spendin’ a fortune, but don’t get a piece of junk neither. Them fellas at the fishin’ store, they’ll try to sell you all sorts of fancy things, but you don’t need all that. You want somethin’ bendy, you know? Somethin’ that’ll let that little fish fight a bit without breakin’ your line. They call ’em “light action” or somethin’. And not too long, you ain’t tryin’ to catch a whale.
- About the length, somethin’ around seven foot, maybe seven and a half, that’s about right. You don’t need some monster pole, these ain’t big fish.
- And make sure it’s got them little rings, whatchamacallits, guides, yeah guides, all the way up. That’s so your line goes out smooth and don’t get all tangled up.
Then there’s the reel. Now, I ain’t talkin’ ’bout them big ol’ reels they use for salmon. You want somethin’ smaller, somethin’ that fits in your hand nice. Some folks like them fancy ones with all the gears, but I just use a regular one, you know, the kind you just spin. Just make sure it holds enough line, ’cause sometimes them kokanee, they like to run. They say somethin’ about “smooth drag”, but honest to goodness, I just make sure it ain’t too tight, ain’t too loose.
Line, that’s important too. You don’t want no thick rope, them fish will see it a mile away. You want somethin’ thin, but strong. Them fellas at the store, they call it “fluorocarbon” or somethin’. Sounds fancy, but it just means it’s hard for the fish to see. I usually get the stuff that’s about, oh, I don’t know, eight to twelve pound test. That’s plenty strong enough for them little kokanee. And don’t go fillin’ your reel all the way up, you’ll just get a bird’s nest, they call it.
Now, for the lures. This is where it gets tricky. Them kokanee, they can be picky. Sometimes they like pink, sometimes they like green, sometimes they don’t like nothin’ at all. I always keep a bunch of different colors and sizes in my tackle box. Little shiny ones work good, and them ones that wiggle and wobble, them too. Them “dodgers”, they call ’em, they help too. They’re like little flashin’ things that attract the fish. I tie them in front of my lure. Just remember, keep tryin’ different things ’til you find what they’re bitin’ on.
Downriggers, well, some folks use ’em, some folks don’t. If you’re fishin’ deep, they help get your lure down to where the fish are. They’re kind of a pain to set up, but they do work. But if you’re fishin’ shallow, you don’t need ‘em. Just let your line out a ways and troll around slow.
And don’t forget a good net. You don’t want to lose that fish right when you get it to the boat. A net with a long handle is good, so you can reach out and scoop ’em up. And a pair of pliers to get the hook out, and a bucket to put your fish in. Oh, and somethin’ to keep the sun off your head, and somethin’ to drink, ’cause fishin’ can be thirsty work.
So, that’s about it. You got your pole, your reel, your line, your lures, maybe a downrigger, and your net. Now all you need is some luck and a little bit of patience. And remember, fishin’ ain’t just about catchin’ fish. It’s about gettin’ out in the fresh air, enjoyin’ the sunshine, and maybe havin’ a cold beer or two. Now get out there and go fishin’!
Brands? Well, I ain’t too picky. Daiwa, Shimano, they’re both good. Just find somethin’ that feels good in your hand and don’t break the bank. Remember, it’s the fishin’ that matters, not the fancy name on your pole.
One last thing. Don’t forget your fishin’ license! Them game wardens, they don’t take kindly to folks fishin’ without one. And always be respectful of the water and the fish. We gotta take care of it, so our grandkids can enjoy it too.
Tags: [Kokanee Fishing, Kokanee Rods, Kokanee Reels, Kokanee Lures, Fishing Gear, Trolling, Light Action Rods, Fluorocarbon Line, Downriggers, Fishing Tips]
