Sockeyes

[cohoho]

Since Lake Washington probably won't be open this season for my lacking fix of Reds.  (This used to be my prime week in AK for dip netting and having withdrawals).  Last year, I can't find it but there was alot of disscussions about a lake on the other side that had a good run of Reds?  Where was that and when is timing best?  Thanks

[dbllunger]

Lake Wenatchee....Hit the Brewster Pool...Tons of Sockeye.  The Colvilles just scooped over 400 in one set with their "Research" seiner yesterday.  Not uncommon to catch several a trip.  Plus you can catch Kings in the same location.  Troll the same gear and they hit them just fine,  hering, superbaits (red), plugs (red).  Sockeye will also hit other stuff just fine. Caught several the other day on a black superbait. 

[huntnphool]

The same setup that works in Lake Washington works in Lake Wenatchee Cohoho, if you need more info call me.

[Hoytstaffshooter83]

The columbia always ha a good run of sockeye

[cohoho]

The lake fishing for sockeyes, is almost hard to believe.  After ten years of slaying them out of Rivers in AK, literally slaying.  400-500+  a year on rod and hook, not counting those we got by dip netting.  Anyhow I am very proficient "liner" aka "legal snagger", but actually fishing when you got to work for them is new to me.  Rob -I got the lake stuff you sent me from last year all dialed in and looking forward to seeing how the Les Dodgers work , but what methods do you guys use for the Big C?  When is prime at Lake Wenatchee?  Anyone want to set up a few boat trip over the pass here soon?

[jackelope]

unless things have changed i think you have to wait and see if lk wenatchee opens for sockeye...i might be wrong, i haven't paid it much attention in the past.

[cohoho]

Your right for sure Jack, Aug at the earliest if they open it....  Here what I found..

Lake Wenatchee Sockeye

Recreational fishing opportunity for sockeye in Lake Wenatchee is dependent on having harvestable runs. Recreational fisheries for sockeye occurred in Lake Wenatchee during the 1980s and early 1990s, and most recently during the 2001, 2004, and 2008 seasons. The fishery would typically open in early August and remain open until the harvestable surplus is taken.

The escapement goal at Priest Rapids Dam is 65,000 sockeye. Turn-off into Lake Wenatchee is measured by subtracting the Rocky Reach Dam count from the Rock Island Dam count. On average 50% of the sockeye run has crossed Rock Island Dam by about July 13 and Rocky Reach Dam by July 17. Although no escapement goal is formally established for the Wenatchee system, the past objectives were to have 23,000 fish reach the spawning grounds after fisheries.

Based on harvest estimates of prior years, it is expected that a fishery in Lake Wenatchee would harvest about 16% of the Wenatchee River run. Therefore, a return of about 27,000 sockeye in the Wenatchee component would be required before opening a sport fishery. The preseason forecast is for 18,380 Wenatchee River origin fish to return to the Columbia River in 2009.

[klickman]

Since Lake Washington probably won't be open this season for my lacking fix of Reds.  (This used to be my prime week in AK for dip netting and having withdrawals).  Last year, I can't find it but there was alot of disscussions about a lake on the other side that had a good run of Reds?  Where was that and when is timing best?  Thanks

Not to rub it in but......


These were early run fish.  Goin dippin in in the morning. 

[boneaddict]

Lake Chelan but don't know the regs. 

[cohoho]

Sorry Klick, but I will state it..... YOU SUCK...  Man those look like some good eats..   I would always dip net on the 17th of July, why, don't know just did and it always was good.  Have you dipped out of the Copper yet, super fun for sure.  Kenai river- Like an assembly line between three guys able to get 155 fish in a bit over 4 hours, two on nets, one in the front and one opposite side in the rear, the other well he trys to drive and wack fish as the other two pile them up in the middle and clip the tail fins......  Then begins the real assembly, pull off on the Kenai somewhere and one filleting, one rinsing and cleaning the other making sure fish are lined up....  You learn to fillet a salmon really well and quick that way for sure......  Man I want to go back right stinking now!  Did I say you suck Klick.....  I mean it this time....  Do you send out "Care Packages???"

[jackelope]

somebody explain dip netting.

[cohoho]

You take big loop ring made from alum, steel, re-bar, all thread in around a five foot loop attach it to a long 20 foot pole with a gill net with a closed back to it, then you stick it in the water and catch fish....  Sockeyes mostly, occasionally you get a king or two.    When your net start shaking from the first fish you keep it in the water for the second, third, fourth.  I once had seven in the same net...  It is a meat run for AK residents only, non-residents aren't allowed.    Some walk the shore in a loop pattern with everyone in snyc with each other when you get fish you simply back up the shore and throw out your fish to your buddy who thumps them and cleans them while you get back in line.  Out of a boat same thing just don't have the mess.  Run up river, drift straight down river and net away...  A super fun weekend, lots of beer, lots of interesting people for sure with all sorts of net configuration, some walking and few crazy folks wearing full dry suits floating out in the water.  Bad pic, but you can see type of net.  I had a custom made one from an Military air craft welder.  It was perfect...  If you look across the river (Kenai Mouth) you can see how many people were on the other side doing it.  A great family fun event....  Ahhhh one commerical guy here on the site might not agree with me on this was a good thing for AK residents.  Problem was everyone got way greedy and took way too many fish.  First couple years I took my limits of 55, 25 for the head of the household and 10 for each member.  Then after almost swamping a my old smaller jon boat, it had 150+ 5-7 lb sockeyes on the floor , I got wise and took only 25 for canning etc....  This didn't count against your rod and reel limits nor other rivers that supported dip netting like the Copper...

[klickman]

Sorry Klick, but I will state it..... YOU SUCK...  Man those look like some good eats..   I would always dip net on the 17th of July, why, don't know just did and it always was good.  Have you dipped out of the Copper yet, super fun for sure.  Kenai river- Like an assembly line between three guys able to get 155 fish in a bit over 4 hours, two on nets, one in the front and one opposite side in the rear, the other well he trys to drive and wack fish as the other two pile them up in the middle and clip the tail fins......  Then begins the real assembly, pull off on the Kenai somewhere and one filleting, one rinsing and cleaning the other making sure fish are lined up....  You learn to fillet a salmon really well and quick that way for sure......  Man I want to go back right stinking now!  Did I say you suck Klick.....  I mean it this time....  Do you send out "Care Packages???"

Well here ya go to pile it on

[BLKBEARKLR]

DANG I wish I was back in Alaska when I see pics like that.

Jack - Dipnetting is just a fun time by everyone. It is awesome unless you get a couple of reds in there and then one big ole king slams into the net and you get a lil wet.



Joe

[tmike]

Ahhhh one commerical guy here on the site might not agree with me on this was a good thing for AK residents.  chuckle chuckle

Frickin Dipnetters       Actually before you guys refined it into an art it was called dipnetting because you just took a regular net and stuck it in the water. Or just trolled with it attached to your boat. I helped a few locals fill their quota a few times back in my day. It's a lot of fun! But just like the 60 razor clam limit you soon learn that more isn't necessarily better when your filleting and vaccum sealing all night.