Giant Kokanee of Central Montana

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Central Montana's Holter Lake is home to some of the largest Kokanee in the lower 48. With little intel to go on Sidra and I ventured off to this reservoir on the upper Missouri River in hopes of finding giant Kokanee. By applying the Kokanee formula I quickly dialed in on these giant Kokanee and after losing a few took and afternoon break before returning in the evening to finish off my limit.
Tackle featured in this video:
- FishHawk Temp Depth Data Logger: amzn.to/4c7OxHy
- Paulina Peak Performer Dodger Moon Jelly Pink/Purple: paulinapeaktac...
- Paulina Peak 50/50 Gold/Nickel 5.5" Dodger: paulinapeaktac...
- Paulina Peak Pink and Nickel Moon Jelly Spinner: paulinapeaktac...
- Paulina Peak UV Orange and Chartreuse Spinner: paulinapeaktac...
- Depth Table: spilt-milt-sto...
- Snaps: amzn.to/38c2tEz
- Assortment of Lead Free Weights are Great!: amzn.to/3MXmH3L
- Columbia PFG Catch Bag: amzn.to/3W93LHc
- Frabil Ultralite net: amzn.to/3UJaruF
- Nordstrom Fish Fillet Mat: amzn.to/3VsnI9V
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[@samsmith7150]

When Tyler's voice gets super high you know it's a good fish!!!

[@reecebuckles4468]

Thanks for talking through your thought process of why you changed where you snapped in the weight. Really helps us less experienced Kokanee fisherman

[@fishon111]

Really appreciate your channel. After 30+ years of fishing salmon and steelhead I have recently started fishing kokanee and am obsessed with it. I'm having more fun fishing than I have in years. Your content has helped my success rate a ton.

[@MontanaWalleyeAngler]

Land of the giants! Lower and upper Holter are amazing fisheries! Thanks for the content Tyler!

[@Teambeam11]

what made you think naming the actual fishery was a good idea? dumb

[@geryang9641]

I've found the cheat code for kokanee, always catching a full limit of kokanees every outing while everyone else skunked. Thanks to you I've mastered kokanee fishing on my 3 kokanee trip & have been catching full limits of kokanees ever since. Love your videos.

[@christianbenedict5136]

I never knew Kokanee got that big

[@ncalais09]

6:53... Me every single time I catch a fish. Never gets old!!!

[@anglersnw]

Congratulations on the "Giant Kokanee". Your personal motto of; "Fish Smarter, Not Harder" came through without a hitch. As always, a very well put together video, one that inspires, and educates others in their own fishing excursions. Thank you for continuing your Kokanee quests. It's what I subscribed to your channel for and look forward to each video.

[@jessetharp6319]

Man my heart skips a beat every time I watch you taking a snap weight off with a fish on 🤣

[@youraveragefishkeeper]

6:55 is my absolute favorite moment. 😂 I’ve been waiting for this video to drop.

[@PhilipIverson-x3p]

So glad you fished it! It’s by far my favorite lake. I miss living in Montana so much!

[@G_marvelous85]

May I ask what lake that is?

[@normdeshon665]

If you listen closely at the start and end of the video, Tyler said Holter Reservoir.

[@jeffhuff5961]

Giants ! We chatted briefly about this lake , glad you made it over . You did great ! Thanks for the video !!!!

[@TwoStageTrigger]

I've lost lots of fish because of surgeons loops. I started tying all my rigs to barrel swivels to attach them to the dodger.

[@395glen]

That was awesome. Seeing your excitement made the whole video. Similar to my excitement when I catch a particular species in new water

[@chadthiem8371]

was thinking and going of hitting it this weekend. glad you guys were able to get out

[@douglasfaloon5340]

The shore lunch = fabulous

[@mikejameson4545]

I don't think I have never heard you so excited!!

[@justingillette7167]

So fantastic watching you catch some absolute monsters! Congrats!

[@Phishrman]

Wow that was exciting watching you catch those tanks! Like you said just because someone tells you how the fishing is, it doesn't mean they have tried the different techniques or gear. Go find out yourself how the lake is fishing.

[@JJ-tf2qs]

Nice job on the Giants!! You are dialed in!!!

[@smthcrmnal26]

Epic day! The formula works!

[@Badkharma21]

KOUS's again. nice!

[@Mr.GregJr]

Awesome video. A lot of what you say about the downrigger ball and snap weight setback I can verify that I’ve seen many times via livescope. Great job! Love it

[@BlakeMarshallPiscesOutdoors]

That must have felt great! Amazing fishing!

[@ChipDarby13]

Holy crap those are some big kokanee!! 🎉 I’d be excited too!

[@normdeshon665]

Looked like a Brewster video, with the other boats Photoshopped out.

[@andyhiebert1674]

What a super fun trip.

[@ahhdat]

Nothing but giants. So awesome😉😎

[@fishon111]

Thanks!

[@spiltmilt]

Welcome!

[@morgankruse4666]

Unbelievable, those are the size of the fish in Roosevelt, hell, they're as big as most of the sockeye ya catch at Brewster

[@squamishfish]

Nice !The world record Kokanee caught was in Arrow Lake British Columbia Canada at 12.1 pounds in 2015, That looked pretty close to it

[@shawnclements14]

Weird I have always heard the world record is 9 pound 10 ounce from wallowa lake in 2010

[@boise2Talay7886]

Great content that's enjoyable to watch, thanks for sharing!

[@StevenG1955]

WOW!! Massive koks!

[@jerryberg6244]

Incredible kokanee!! Way to get it done and show us some amazing salmon. Those are up there with ocean run fish.

[@MrAcuta73]

Yer killing me....yet another place I drive by twice a week...I REALLY need to take some time to enjoy Montana, not just work my way through it!! At least you missed the snow...it was snowing over Homestake, through the Gates, and a bit through Glacier on US-2 Monday night/Tuesday morning.

[@mikebond2874]

Great job.

[@dragonflyaura31]

Montana is a beautiful place for a reason. Please remember to get your fishing license, its a must! And please respect the people and place. You would be surprised at the number of people who don't get a license and are disrespectful to the people and place. There are multiple friendly fly shops and tackle places, all of which have rules and regulation booklets for free. They tell you where, what, and when you can fish legally. 👍 (Love your videos, btw!)😊

[@salmon4ever]

Yessir that's giant!!!!

[@jayrobertson232]

And I had to fish the Kenai to catch Sockeye that big!!

[@davids7943]

Those are some freaks!!!!

[@NateDieterich-v1m]

Good job. Put a plug in for AIS prevention here in Montana please. More boaters increases risk.

[@shawnclements14]

I was just curious if the video talking about holter was still in the works or if you decided not to do it. I was really looking forward to your assessment and was hoping to send it to Montana FWP so we can fix our kokanee fisheries over here from over stocking 🤣

[@spiltmilt]

It’s coming

[@Xtinnoker]

Damn son, Now that is a toad Kokanee... Wow

[@budman1964]

Congrats! I have finished there hundreds of times. I’ve never tried for kokes but, this is going to change! Hope you enjoyed our beautiful state.

[@danpatterson791]

The fish at Roosevelt have been comparable if not bigger than those this year. Must just be a good koke size year in the NW. Awesome trip there. congrats.

[@spiltmilt]

Length wise yes but not as thick

[@montanaoutdoors6217]

Been planning to get to this spot all year....when I chatted with ya i was stoked to hear you were heading there also. After seeing thos video im even more excited than i was before! Pretty exciting to have a world class kokanee fishery just a few hours from home! Thanks for the content, was EPIC seeing this

[@G_marvelous85]

May I ask what lake this is?

[@tylerranes9391]

Right on man. I grew up in great falls. Holter is my home water. Let me know if you want advice on other spots or where else to go

[@PROFISHERMAN26]

Just!!!!! Wow !!! 😮 👍

[@dougsparks66]

Cohokanee!!! WOW

[@WhereFishLive]

I know my next Montana destination. Thanks for the content!

[@KirkLoders]

Are you still using corn, or have you switched to gulp maggots?

[@spiltmilt]

100% maggots for the last few years

[@wannafishalure]

Beautiful fish! I do disagree about trolling under fish. I troll with cameras and have seen them go down after lures. What has to be remembered is that they go forward and down in a lake. They also are attracted by sound not just sight. If the lure is below maybe 5 feet they will go after it.

[@spiltmilt]

Sure 5' is one thing but 20' is another

[@dennisschneider7848]

Great Video!! Im going to be going to holter on the 5th of September, i would love to catch one of these big kokanees! Is their any videos how you set up the non downrigger rod? i dont have a downrigger at the moment. Thank you!

[@spiltmilt]

This should help kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppC4qoaBhruZeLM

[@dennisschneider7848]

@@spiltmilt thank you sir!

[@dennielinch4284]

Hey buddy I bought some Paulina tackle moon jelly spinners. I did notice that the spinners was installed backwards was that on purpose? Kinda makes me wonder I fish a lot of lakes in Utah Wyoming! With the spinner backwards I didn’t catch as many cuts rainbows! I usually re-tie with better line and hooks anyways was just Curious if you noticed that?

[@dennielinch4284]

If you answer I have one more question? What’s the best reel you own for smooth drag? We catch 4# plus Kokanee around here they definitely check your drag. It’s a factor when you are retrieving Kokanee if you land or loose one! Thanks

[@pancakeface5717]

Wow, incredible kokanee. A question: I just watched your video on leader length. Spinners have added flash but they don't have as much inherent action as, say, a Flutter bug or Apex. What length leader do you run behind your dodger for spinners?

[@spiltmilt]

6-8" for spinners

[@pancakeface5717]

@@spiltmilt Excellent. Thank you!

[@nothwac]

Monsters.

[@CustomCompost]

Got a link for the monjelly spinners?

[@spiltmilt]

In the description

[@bryanschipske7963]

What a trip! When fishing only snap weights with 2 rods do you use different set backs like 40' on one and 50' on the other?

[@spiltmilt]

Sometimes if I am working to dial things in.

[@bryanschipske7963]

@@spiltmilt really appreciate all the information you put out there for us! I have my PB 19" Kokanee thanks to your formula! Putting it to work 4th of July week Fish Lake, UT!

[@timross7046]

Great video . Are you using a smilly blade or a regular colorado spiner blade ? Look like you're back about 2ft also ? I wish Holter wasn't so close to a larger town . Weekends are impossible . Ski boats and such .

[@spiltmilt]

Its an Indiana blade. Leader length from the dodger is 6" to 8"

[@williamsawyer6607]

Another great video. Amazing Kokanee destination. This is on my bucket list! Which tandem kayak do you recommend?

[@spiltmilt]

I prefer the Hobie Oasis because its on of the few tandem pedal drives where both anglers can pedal and steer.

[@fishmojo865]

An epic day you will never forget. Congratulations

[@timross7046]

Hi again . Is this at the upper or lower lake

[@spiltmilt]

Lower

[@daveintheburg]

Whoa! Dude! I'm running out of gas money!! Another trip for my bucket list....;-)

[@FamilyNick]

Wow, amazing fish!!! What are your thoughts on why they get so big and a lake like Lake Stevens their tiny? I know it has something to do with the quality of their food supply, just wondering what would make it better

[@spiltmilt]

It’s pretty simple. Stevens, as most Washington lakes are, is over stocked.

[@FamilyNick]

@spiltmilt yeah, was wondering that too. Thanks!

[@shawnclements14]

​@FamilyNick this lake is not stocked, a few thousand just spilled through hauser (the dam right above holter) which is being stocked. so the few that survived in holter just had an unlimited food supply and grew to massive size in 4 years. I also think the fish that made it through the damn were bigger so they were less susceptible to predation. when kokanee are planted they are 2 to 3 inches. perfect trout food

[@saltywalrusfishingcompany]

Did you try anything other than those spinners? Same spinner as you had luck at whiskeytown? I don't have those but want to stop on my drive back to Wisconsin and debating if i should order them...

[@spiltmilt]

Tried flutterbugs and hoochies nada. Sidra ran hoocheis more than me and didn't get any till she flipped to spinners

[@saltywalrusfishingcompany]

@@spiltmilt I have a few spinners but nothing that's close to what worked for you... Guess Paulina peak is getting another order from me lol

[@boba-mg5md]

Tyler how long are your leaders on the spinner setups.

[@spiltmilt]

6-8"

[@roryholscher8423]

Since you’re here in Montana you should check out Georgetown lake. Have big Kokanee and rainbow’s

[@rylancass9903]

I am actually headed up to Montana tomorrow. Was gonna go for pike. From what I can find online is one day of fishing around 50 dollars?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes it is stupid expensive

[@conk8636]

He fish working, We watching, get to fish working,. Talking to my self.,

[@DrDanTDC]

I’m heading there next month! Did you fish for walleye at all? What speed for koke’s?

[@spiltmilt]

No time for Walleye but folks were doing well for them. 1.5 mph for Kokanee

[@ronlee597]

Tyler, you seem to be moving to spinners more frequently… true?

[@spiltmilt]

This year they've been far more successful than plain hoochies for some reason.

[@ronlee597]

@@spiltmilt Me too, I've been re-tying my hootchies and adding a blade, propeller, smile, etc.

[@theprahphet2697]

Soooo, you're sure that's Kokanee salmon? either way good catch

[@spiltmilt]

No its a Bluefin Tuna....

[@theprahphet2697]

@@spiltmilt mmm tuna.. I'm just used to seeing them red in lake Tahoe... thanks for sharing your adventures and catches

[@VictorHammond]

I used to like this channel until he wanted to start a pay for view..no different the Netflix and all the rest Greed is taking over I AM UNSUBSCRIBING AND WILL NO LONGER FOLLOW.

[@spiltmilt]

LOL what are you talking about?

[@shawnclements14]

🤣 Tyler gives out so much for free, all he asks for is a view. You are crazy bro

[@395glen]

That was awesome. Seeing your excitement made the whole video. Similar to my excitement when I catch a particular species in new water

[@Poontz208]

Wow those are massive

[@IdahoOutdoorDad]

Man loved the catch and cook. Def do more of these !

[@salmonkiller2545]

You target 54 degrees water temp for Kokanee ? Would you say it’s the same for sockeye ? Nice fish!!

[@spiltmilt]

Yes 54 is the magic number

[@mtn-endeavors67]

Damn you really know what you’re doing! Nice work. Does that hurt your back on the kayak?

[@WadeRalston-uu7hs]

Everyone wants to say "wow look at how many fish we have, let's raise the limits." How dumb, a 4 fish limit is awesome. Let's not get greedy and ensure fish for future runs. Yes, the numbers are great, but let's protect this incredible fishery.

[@spiltmilt]

It’s a 5 mixed trout/kokanee limit which I think is fine especially considering the size of the fish

[@fishmojo865]

I’ll bet you never had a limit of that weight before. Awesome!

[@collinmc90]

right on! nice video. That kokanee at 7:27 is amazing man. congratulations. Nothing tops that feeling.

[@HungryH1951]

Whoah! Those are beautiful Kokanee. Your personal best you say. Terrific. Well worth the trip to Montana. Great video.

[@AliseL22]

Those Koke are monsters - what a blast you had. We're just coming up to our next Kokanee time here in Southern BC and your videos always get me all fire up.

[@scottkennedy1089]

Tyler, yet again an excellent video. Just watching you land those beast put a huge smile on my face. Great job and safe travels.

[@victorfort4250]

Oh my goodness! I've caught Sockeye way smaller than those monsters 😁

[@Hiker2024]

Great video! Glad Montana treated you well . . .

[@Stittsy1963]

Congratulations on the PB! That was cool watching you bring in those tanks. I wish we had more like that here in Washington.

[@kevinbarney6820]

Giants really nice work you have been pro were did you get your dodger binder ?

[@spiltmilt]

Lure Safe

[@ryangregory3094]

I have the exact same emotions when I land giants! Awsome video!

[@jackhuttinga1776]

Great video! Were you fishing on June 7 and 8? I fished there on June 6 and boated 4 kokanee, but the wind was still a pain and it contributed to loosing 3 more kokanee hook ups. Holter has relatively few days with almost flat water like you had. I thought maybe they still had pretty soft mouths. The rainbows seldom come undone.

[@spiltmilt]

We were there a week later or so.,

[@idaho2ndgens240]

What beautiful fish!! Thanks a bunch for taking us there!

[@nickvennetti892]

Holy smokes those are some hogs! Noted 🫡

[@asully70]

This video made me hungry.

[@joeladams338]

When you say you use maggots to fish with. Do you use real maggots ? Or fake ones like gulp maggots. Thank you for your time. Also. Any good locations for sockeye salmon fishing for a first timer with a boat. I am in portland.

[@spiltmilt]

Gulp Maggots. You can troll for Sockeye along the Washington shore from the barges to I-5 bridge

[@joeladams338]

@@spiltmilt thank you!!

[@returnofsid]

Gigantic Silver Bullets!

[@yengvue7266]

Wow.. All giants Awesome

[@johnweinacker6619]

Great trip. Were you guys staying at holter lake campground?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes

[@dognzo893]

Good work Tyler

[@robin8559]

Looks like a day you will never forget. Just for this day a digital fish scale would have been nice to check the weights of those Kokezillas. Just a thought for the others, I use the Surgeons Loop knot for Redtail surfperch, loop leaders. It is best to go through 2-4 times. I do 3. If you go through just once the knot breaks easily. That knot always makes me nervous when I'm in Trophy waters.

[@spiltmilt]

It didn't break at the knot but below it which is what usually happens to me

[@spinfish-4355]

Locals are definitely telling you the fishing sucks to keep tourists away. 😊

[@spiltmilt]

He wasn't local

[@shawnclements14]

The people who fish it just don't watch Tyler's videos so they don't catch them 😂 I caught 4 yesterday and everyone was talking about how slow and bad the bite was

[@spiltmilt]

@@shawnclements14 this exactly. They don't have a clue. Everybody is out there running lake trolls and wedding rings near surface at 2.0 mph. Catching Kokanee is a fluke on those rigs.

[@normdeshon665]

They will probably tell you there are lots of rattlesnakes too. 🐍 Definitely wouldn't recommend it.

[@davidaguilar2151]

Nice Video! Will a tandem kayak will be carrying just 2 rods? or how will you manage 4 lines? :O Im from Canada, here you can only have 1 rod out per person on the boat, or 2 if you are alone

[@spiltmilt]

I use varying rod lengths and weights to make 4 rods work.

[@blaineparker8733]

Thanks to the wind for the great water temps, lots of mixing

[@spiltmilt]

Nah I don’t think so. It’s been a cold spring and summer

[@boba-mg5md]

Do you run longer leaders when using spinners, if so how long?

[@spiltmilt]

No short. 6-8"