The Cariboo weather is always something that will keep you guessing.
We prepared for the worst (minus umbrellas) and decided to go kokanee fishing on Ten Mile Lake.
I feel fortunate to live close to a productive lake like Ten Mile and I owe many thanks to those in the past and present who invest(ed) in stocking this lake with kokanee.
I continue to wish I owned an ice maker, because I find that ice is the best way to cool fish down (in my current opinion). I’ve used ice packs in the past and they still work, but I’m constantly impressed at different types of cubed ice and how it melts as it sucks up warm temperatures from the fish. The ice I’ve come to appreciate is the cylinder style of ice that I’ve found at a few stores here in Quesnel. I bought my ice at the South Hill Shell, Quesnel along with some great garlic fishing corn that they sell there. Normally I make my own corn, but I’ve been busy with other family activities.
After hooking a couple kokanee on our tried and true Paulina Peak Tackle micro hoochies, we decided to switch it up and see if we could find another dodger and lure combination that worked just as well. Finding what the fish want is something I’ve always strived to achieved. I’m always trying to learn something new and see if patterns can be found during the time of year, time of day and during different weather patterns.
We started fishing in the afternoon after lunch and the weather seemed uncertain at the start. The wind was slowly blowing so we decided to use our gas motor to push us into the headwind. Our MotorGuide trolling motor worked well with the wind at our backs and the throttle did not move (slowing the boat down) as it did on me last year.
Productive speeds seemed to be between 1.4 and 1.8mph. The most productive depth was 30ft, but we also caught fish at 35ft off the downrigger with a 75ft set back.
My Gibbs Fishing moon jelly dog tail dodger and Gibbs bling blade proved to be the most successful combination on the boat after we took off our micro hoochies. The garlic corn helped with many missed strikes and many hits where the kokanee had swallowed our trailer hook.
It was a great Father’s day to be on the water. I was sad that my whole family was not able to make it out with us (our “shrinking” boat makes it tough and we feel like sardines in a tin can at times). I was also happy to be able to spend some one on one time with Austin. His love of the outdoors and willingness to learn inspires me. It’s great to be able to sit back and watch how much attention to detail and learning Austin has achieved after many trips to the lake.
While part of me wished for a boat cover (and maybe a heated cab), I was happy to experience the feeling Austin got when he was able to test out a new rain/wind breaker jacket that kept him warm when the storm pushed in. He was amazed at how much warmer it was after he put it on. It made me wonder if the other jackets he has had in the past were not of great quality (which made me sad).
It was definitely a day of emotions. Do we stay or do we go? As the storm pushed in, it brought wind, rain and waves. We continued to fish under warm protective clothing and then after fifteen minutes, the skies opened slightly above us, the wind died down and the lake went flat calm. As many boats had retreated, we were left in solitude as the bite picked back up as if nothing happened. We watched (and listened) to a thunderous storm cloud drift along in the distance. We chose to stay and catch a limit of kokanee.
After arriving at the boat launch, we met an angler who was looking at installing downriggers on his boat. I always enjoy talking fishing and what is working and not working. We also saw some familiar faces which enhanced the experience of being outside and doing something that we love. Until next time, I will remember this moment as another day of learning and the excitement of doing what I love the most.
Here’s the video from this trip. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel Fougere Family Adventures to learn more about fishing.