I fished above Wells Dam. I was on the water and fishing by 0445. I was using 00 dodger followed by orange or pink mini squid on 12'' leader tipped with shrimp.. I had bites anywhere from 5-15' on the wire. First bite came at 0505. First fish at 0515. In the next hour I lost 3 fish! Barbless on these guys is not easy. I then went through a peck fest where I couldn't set a hook. I must have missed a dozen or 15 bites! (I double checked hooks for sharpness.) When I did finally hook one of the little peckers, I didn't bring it in the boat. I was not going to punch my card for a 13'' Sockeye. As I brought it boatside I dropped my rod tip and away he went. (Good side of barbless.) I did this 3 more times. I did boat a second Sockeye around noon. Lots of action. Lots of work running 2 down riggers by yourself. Lots of frustration and lots of fun.
I've come to realize these Okanogan fish will never compare to the Baker Lake fish. Last year these fish consistently averaged 3 LBS.
The big Question that remains for me is, Why all the little guys?? Do Sockeye sometimes return as one salt?

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