04_2025_REELLIFE_digital - Flipbook - Page 24
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So, you want to become a
better kokanee fisherman?
Yes, we all do. I assure
you that you can be, but
it takes some effort. It is
not just getting out on the
water, but it is using solid
knowledge about kokanee
that will make you more
effective when you are on
the water.
A while back I put together
a wheel showing the interrelated concepts that occur
in successful kokanee
fishing. For a starting
point of this paper, please
consider:
The idea is that if you get
all of these factors right
in your presentation, then
you are fishing with 100%
efficiency. There is some
truth that IF you are in the
right temperature zone,
using a correct dodger at
the right speed, then you
are hovering around 5055% effectiveness. Even a
blind sow gets an acorn
occasionally. But you will
be at 0% effectiveness if
you are not in the correct
temperature and using the
wrong presentation setup.
As a fisherman, you already
know that from practical
experience. Taking the time
to learn about all of these
related factors will most
likely help you become a
better overall fisherman for
kokanee and other species
as well.
The single best predictor
of kokanee location is
temperature. I am not
talking about surface water
temperature, but rather
the correct temperature
down in the water
column, or temperature
at depth. For kokanee, the
preferred temperature is
close to 54 degrees. They
can indeed be found at
temperatures between 44
and 59 degrees. Below 54
degrees the kokanee are
less active. Much above
54°, any extended stay will
have detrimental or even
lethal effects. Kokanee
biology functions best at 54
degrees, and they will seek
it out if it is available.
That temperature provides
the most efficient growth
from feeding. That
temperature also allows
for the least amount of
energy consumed for
swimming and generally
being in the business of
