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Shout out to NWFR member Salmonbarry for sharing some on the water tips and motivation to give Lake Washington a try for kokanee. After a 60+ mile day fishing the San Juans I needed something a little lower key and this was perfect. My wife JoAnn and our dogs Duke and Kenji came along for a morning of fishing. Nice, moderate breezes that were very manageable and temps in the low 60s made for a pleasant morning.

We launched out of Newport Marina and headed to the south end of Mercer Island. Slowed down off shore in 110 feet of water and started running our downriggers, set at 25 and 45 feet to start. I varied throughout the morning following meter marks. Standard kokanee rigs – well, my new “go-to” rigs -small dodgers and Old Goats. One the plug style rigger for kokanee, and one the new tandem double spinner. I have to say, the tandem rig got most of the fish today and has put a lot of fish in the boat both here and in Montana - it's definitely a winner. I tipped each set of hooks with corn and trolled around 1.3 to 1.8. The fish were happiest with 1.5-1.8.

Within ten minutes we had our biggest and best kokanee, a 15.5” brute that hit at 45 feet. As you can see from the picture, this was a great fish! Shortly after that fish, Duke decided the water was too inviting and jumped in for a swim! Our previous dogs Diesel and Rudy were strictly lay on the dog bed and sleep dogs when we went fishing, so this was new for us. I had a life jacket on him and as we trolled by I grabbed the handles and pulled him back in the boat. Non-the-worse for wear we continued our trolled and shortly after caught and released a sockeye at 45 feet down.

As the morning progressed we turned north and trolled up the west side of Mercer Island, calling it a day after fishing briefly on the north end of the island. The bite had died and it was time to go. Final talley for the day was 6 keepers, 1 small guy released, and 1 sockeye. Not a bad way to unwind and spend the morning. It wasn’t red hot, but it was steady enough.

salmonbarry

7/4/2020 9:49:21 PM

Glad you and Joanne and doggies were able to get out and relax for a day of catching on the big lake! That one is a piggy for sure!

oldgoatlures

7/4/2020 10:36:39 PM

Mike: Thanks for putting the new spinner to work and reporting the results! Appreciate both!

bob johansen

7/5/2020 9:23:25 AM

Good report Mike. The dog story reminded of one time my wife and I were on Lake Washington fishing for perch. The ducks were swimming around the boat looking for a handout. Our big Cocker Spaniel finally could not stand it anymore. He jumped into the water in an attempt to catch a duck. At the time he had lots of long hair and weighed over 35 pounds. He had no life jacket and it was a real challenge to lift him back into the boat. Oh, yes, he didn't even come close to catching a duck.

Mike Carey

7/5/2020 9:27:45 AM

That's a big cocker spaniel!

Fisheries24

7/5/2020 9:33:12 AM

Not a bad time to reflect on our good fortune here in the Northwest. I’m an east side guy and avoid the masses of Seattle whenever possible. I am pretty amazed that a Seattle resident can drive a few miles and get great fishing. Lake Washington seems like it has great Cutthroat, Kokanee and several kinds of warm water fish. Sammamish seems like it’s similar. Turn west and Area 10 with its coho, chinook and pink salmon fisheries. Not bad for big city fishing opportunity. Then if you want some sun you can head East a couple hours for Walleye, Sockeye and lots more. Happy 4th! Thanks for the reports.

herefishy

7/5/2020 6:05:11 PM

Great job on the kokanee. Love your boat dogs!

hewesfisher

7/6/2020 6:42:49 AM

Chunky kokes!

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