06_2025_REELLIFE_digital - Flipbook - Page 33
hook fairly well at kokanee
trolling speeds. My research
has revealed another
interesting characteristic
of white shoepeg corn: it
stays white down the entire
water column without any
fade. As such, it presents
a clearly defined target
for the fish to attack. (For
doubters, take a kernel of
white shoepeg corn into
a dark closet and shine a
black light on it.)
Over the years, it has
become popular to add
additional scent to the
corn by brining it first.
Such scents have included
anise, garlic, vanilla, and
a host of others. Savvy
kokanee fishermen would
have more than one type
of scented corn to entice
the kokanee; in case the
first one didn't seem to
work, they would have
a backup. I know that
making up different scent
combinations is part of the
wonderful pre-fishing ritual.
Some even dye the corn
different colors. More ritual.
In the past, I endorsed
using two kernels of corn
on each of the tandem
hooks in the lure. I have
changed my philosophy a
bit over the years. I found
out that putting corn only
on the leading hook helped
prevent that dreaded
"short" bite.
