Kerry Reed
Kootenay Lake Report Dec 12
Kerry Reed
November was another good month for big fish. Not as consistent as usual, but quality fish have prevailed. Our spring seemed to be a month late. Our summer showed up a month late. And maybe this is our fall/winter season showing up a month late. As predicted, the big fish have been coming in. But, still waiting for the consistency.
November and December have always been my favorite fall months. On our good days, we are catching between 10 – 15 fish. And the tougher days seem to bring in between 3 – 6 fish. The good news is we are catching quality fish. Maybe not as many, but always seem to get a big one each day.
It has been hit and miss. But one of our latest trips saw my group landing 13 fish one day. Mostly between 8 - 15 Lbs. That’s a good day. We've also landed some big boys as of late. We landed a nice 21 Lb male last week, and have had quite a few in the teens. I did also hear of a beautiful 25 Lb Rainbow that was caught in the South Arm, so you never know. That's fishing....
Our water temperature is in the perfect range. These fish should be feeding on the surface heavily by now. Hopefully it's all going to break open in the next week or so.
In summary: Rainbows up to 25 Lbs and Dolly Varden (Bull Trout) up to 18 Lbs have been caught lately. I'm looking forward to the rest of December and January to be our big months this year. Stay tuned............
What are they biting on???
Well, it's been a mixed bag. Usually by now, the fish are all on the surface. However, right now it seems that they are scattered throughout the water column. We have been catching a lot fish down deep still. 75ft - 140ft seems to be pretty consistent. My favorite lures have been the good old flasher/hoochie or some lyman plugs down deep.
There have also been some good feeding frenzies on the surface. But they only seem to last a short period. We have been lucky enough to know when they're happening, and are prepared with the right gear.
Bucktail flies have been producing big fish when the bite is on. My favorites have been the common colors lately. The November special, the gray ghost, the bleeding gill. Magic numbers: 203, 210, 215, 228. Both the regular flies and the skull patterns have been working.
Some guys are even pulling the Bill Normans already. Catching a few good ones on those also.
The water temperature is perfect, so the fishing should just get better and better.