Kokanee of Unusual Size Return: Giant Wyoming Kokanee

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On last year's Kokanee Across America tour one of my favorite stops was Fontanelle Reservoir in southwest Wyoming. This highly isolated reservoir is home to some really big Kokanee. On a recent trip to Flaming Gorge I couldn't pass up another opportunity to fish this lake and this time I brought Sidra along. The locals were complaining about how slow the fishing was but we found the fishing to be stellar with a nice diversity of age classes and of course some true Kokanee of unusual size were caught. Enjoy!
Tackle featured in this video:
- Berkley Gulp Maggots: amzn.to/43alJsO
- PPT Wickiup Sinrise Microhoochie: paulinapeaktackle.com/shop/ol...
- PPT Wickiup Crush Gold Plated Big I Dodger: paulinapeaktackle.com/shop/ol...
- Snaps: amzn.to/38c2tEz
- Assortment of Lead Free Weights are Great!: amzn.to/3MXmH3L
- Humminbird Helix MSI G4: amzn.to/44mp8pk
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[@chrisb.3722]

20 years ago I never would have guessed that some day my preferred home entertainment would be watching somebody fish for Kokanee from a kayak on my phone.

[@spiltmilt]

Better than a cable bill though right?

[@ypww748]

you getting old

[@chrisb.3722]

@@ypww748 That's a fact, Jack!

[@brandonjelinek8963]

I like to swear every time he catches one. (Jealous)

[@Pianosa77]

Ain't that the truth

[@jessetharp6319]

I watch pretty much everything Tyler puts out and I have never heard him giggle like he did at 15:14 🤣

[@returnofsid]

Beautiful Kokanee!! The footage of your wife catching her football was awesome! You need to pay attention to her netting technique! Haha!

[@harryjayne5306]

My wife and I were there last week. Fishing was slow but we still managed a couple KOUS two days in a row in our Hobies before high winds blew us off the lake. I also had a 24 in brown tow me around for a while. We plan on going back earlier next year. Thanks for the video info. It has greatly improved our kayak fishing.

[@adventuringandy945]

Thanks for the inspiration. Loading up and heading for Fontenelle tomorrow.

[@kobetakemura5179]

That's bigger than the sockeye I just caught at Brewster lol. What a tank!

[@2012prormk]

I love to watch your videos. I live in Utah and have been fishing Fontenelle since 1972 probably 30 to 40 days every year. You do very good. I fish up your way also. I've fished the Columbia River from Hanford Reach, Drano, below Bonneville to Buoy 10 and Oregon coast Nehalem, Tillamook, Siletz, Alsea, etc.

[@bruceparker1945]

Good to see you two back at Fontanelle, and appreciate the exposure regarding Wyoming Kokanee fishing. With the exception of the Gorge, Kokanee fishing is just starting to get a following in the state. Fished Alcova Reservoir a couple of days ago and all my koks (17” to 21”) were also caught on the dropper?!?

[@spiltmilt]

Wyoming appears to have a good grasp on Kokanee management.

[@brendonnguyen4435]

Just can't get enough of your videos been few years now

[@zacharypedersen4090]

I have been dying to go up there since your last video of fontanelle! The biggest kokanee I caught was 18". It was out of strawberry reservoir. He was not as big as the ones up in fontanelle. But I'll take an 18" Kokanee any day.

[@scottappley2626]

Lots of good Kokanee water in Wy and like stated fish over 20” on the other side of the state as well. GF just stock 100,000 Kokanee in Boysen and it’s going to be awesome! Soon! Other lakes are just taking off and almost no one is fishing for them !

[@stephenjensen93]

This deserves millions of views

[@Redneckkratos]

“What about the KOUS’s???” “Kokanee of unusual size??? I don’t think they exist….” *one leaps straight into kayak with killer intent*

[@jonlobello7151]

Vey Exciting Episode!

[@dwayneivie3350]

looks like you had a great time in Wy this time and glade to see that the wife is doing great to.

[@joncalvo3591]

Look better than some of the Sockeyes I got outta Brewster. Nice Tyler !

[@ryanbarton6739]

Nice fish👍👍

[@cashotpb]

When the fish are shallow I always have better luck on droppers and planer boards. Some days 2 rods will out fish the 4 downriggers. Once the fish reach about 30ft+ the downriggers start to fish better generally and I shorten setbacks. My guess would be your dr is running deeper than the dropper rod in this situation. Fish are likely feeding just below the surface.

[@robbysmusic8507]

I am speechless I can't believe how huge they are I mean huge and girthy excellent video.

[@Xtinnoker]

My Milk Man, Beautiful Kokes.

[@fishwhistle9666]

Nice fish. Couple Heartbreakers haha but thats how she goes.

[@samsmith7150]

Happy accidents!!!

[@davidbrazell3866]

That kokanee on the cover photo is a better fish than those sockeye from Brewster.

[@spiltmilt]

Straight up!

[@Andrew-zp6yq]

KOUS!

[@DavidGibson-hn8eh]

Thanks for all your videos. I have heard of kokanee for years but never fished for them, no boat. But last year I got a kayak for the workout. I thought fishing would be a motivator . Now thanks to you in part I am addicted. To Koke Heading to Wyoming in the next week or so. Is it getting too late in the year for KOUS wanted to get there earlyer but it just hasn't worked out. Here around Boise meaning Anderson Ranch and Arrowrock the large fish have vanished. We were catching 16 to 18 inch fish the last 3 weeks i can't find anything over 12 inch. Thanks again.

[@spiltmilt]

Yes it’s getting late. The fish will be moving up into their spawning areas

[@rustycompassadventures]

I enjoy watching these videos. Your videos got me from bass fishing on my kayak to having a full trolling setup. I’ve learned so much. I do have a question. Have you gone over what a diseased Kokanee/trout looks like or what to look out for on those fish? I think I came across one rainbow that was diseased at one point. I wasn’t 100% sure so I tossed it back (alive) since I was fishing for sustenance.

[@spiltmilt]

The most commonly encountered disease is copepod parasites. I have a video on this topic here kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ_Co4KknNh2aqc

[@desertson6323]

I watched your corn scent video. Great information. What ended up being the scent for this trip to Fontenelle? Did corn work better or maggots? I saw you using both. Thanks!

[@spiltmilt]

Don't recall but I never see much difference.

[@johnholman9313]

Great KOUS! Are your rods from Paulina Peak? I have two and have landed 10 + lbs Lahontan Cutthroat Trout on them. I really love them

[@spiltmilt]

Yes I use the Paulina rods

[@blakearnold6549]

Slugs ❤

[@johnturkovich6768]

Beautiful fish! Love watching you guys! I am assuming your wife is feeling better?! How far back was your hoochie for Wyoming?

[@spiltmilt]

Leader length was 8”

[@spiltmilt]

Yes Sidra's health has improved a lot since her surgery last fall. Still some physical therapy to work thru and other things that will be with her for life but much improved.

[@kellylambert4527]

If that was Washington State there would 800 boats fishing.

[@spiltmilt]

Right? And people were bitching about the 30 boats out there 😂

[@NghiaPham-xi5so]

Wow, you are the man of travels. Do you normally use a 1 once weight? Do you ever use a 4 once weight when catching kokanee? How much leader is from your flasher to the hoochie? Thanks!

[@spiltmilt]

I use 1 oz all the way up to 5 oz depending on the depths I am targeting. My leaders are typically 6-8”

[@blakegipson8136]

Didn't see you out there, must have been different days than I was fishing late June. I've been struggling to put up the numbers I did the last few years. Odd year for me for sure since they haven't touched dodger/lure combos that have never failed to produce but have keyed in on stuff that never worked before. I'll have to hit you up and see what your take was.

[@forrestmichnevich7371]

Care to elaborate? Haven’t caught one in at least 6 times going this year…

[@blakegipson8136]

@@forrestmichnevich7371 I've been fishing the reservoir for a few years and most of the time I can dial in with a few combos I have found and have limits for the boat by 1pm. This year my best day was 14 and it was a grind from sun-up to 4pm. Most days have been in single digits with similar effort. Fish have been scattered and inconsistent. I've tried everything from

[@paulproios3433]

What do you do with all of your catch? How do you process in harvest? Where do you store it? And also I would like to know how do you trailer your kayak?

[@spiltmilt]

I have many videos covering all these topics specifically. Be sure and check them out here kzbin.info

[@ronlee597]

In mid-June I spoke with a Wyoming fisheries biologist the day after they had done netting surveys at Fontenelle. He said that Kokanee population were way below expectations. Trout numbers were good.

[@spiltmilt]

Thankfully my experience did not reflect that

[@ronlee597]

@@spiltmilt That's for sure. He said they went out fishing the weekend before and caught a bunch of trout but only 4 kokes.

[@spiltmilt]

Probably trolling too fast or too deep.

[@Steady_Stick]

👏 👏 👏

[@kevinhadley8802]

Headed up there tomorrow, any general advice?

[@spiltmilt]

It’s been almost a month since I’ve been there but don’t be afraid to troll near shore and once you catch a fish give that same area a few passes

[@steharmon]

What size weight you using on your dropper and how many feet do you put out before you clip the weight on? I've seen the same thing this season... they are higher.

[@spiltmilt]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6arpaRonKySrKM

[@NghiaPham-xi5so]

Those weights that you have in your link, they are currently not available on amazon, do you have any other recommendations? Thanks!

[@spiltmilt]

Just grab a variety of 1 to 4 oz cannonballs at your local tackle shop. All the lead cannonballs on Amazon are overpriced

[@NghiaPham-xi5so]

@@spiltmilt Gotcha Thanks!

[@robnyb9623]

What scents were working for you? I was there last year and garlic seemed to rule.

[@spiltmilt]

Anise and shrimp worked for us

[@kurtcummings269]

Did you use the campground there? Also is the limit 6 Kokanee of any size and is there a possession limit?

[@spiltmilt]

No we did not camp there. Its up to you to understand the rules and regulations. I don't give legal advice.

[@kurtcummings269]

@@spiltmilt what was the limit for you and what size were your biggest fish?

[@mikec9453]

I’m planning on going in august and was wondering which ramp you think is best.

[@spiltmilt]

Either ramp is fine but the Fontanelle creek road is all paved

[@mikec9453]

Thanks

[@toddclarke3132]

This has probably been asked before… based on a trolling speed of 1.25mph, is there a rough chart that would show depth based on weight, distance of weight from lure, and distance of weight from rod?

[@spiltmilt]

There are several online I’ve seen but I’m not sure of their accuracy

[@toddclarke3132]

@@spiltmilt If the thermocline was at 50' as an example, what size weight and how much line would you put out to reach that depth with a dodger + hoochie setup going between 1.2 and 1.5mhps. I'm new to kayak gear fishing (been fly fishing for decades), so this is all foreign to me. Really appreciate your awesome videos, they have been super helpful. Looking forward to coming down to WA & OR to do some kokanee fishing. 🇨🇦

[@spiltmilt]

For 50' I am going to go 4 oz at 80'

[@timross7046]

Nice fish . When were you down there ? I spoke to fwp and they said it was real..... slow .

[@spiltmilt]

Yes we heard the same from all the anglers at the boat ramp. One even suggested that my video from last year had ruined the fishery and I probably wouldn't catch anything because all the big fish were gone. 😂 I think people just don't know how to fish them. Saw lots of people trolling far too fast and getting bit and not turning back to cover the same area.

[@spiltmilt]

We fished it in late June

[@timross7046]

Do you think it will still be worth the trip or is it to hot down there now ? I have over an 8hr trip each way .

[@spiltmilt]

Not sure I haven't checked the weather there.

[@jarretc6497]

May I ask, what are you adjusting on your lower left side?

[@spiltmilt]

Rudder control

[@jarretc6497]

@@spiltmilt Thanks!

[@thomaswallis3504]

Is that Buckboard behind you in the opener?

[@spiltmilt]

Wrong lake

[@thomaswallis3504]

@@spiltmilt guessing I wasn't paying attention...

[@rogermezenen6505]

3 days ago...? I haven’t seen or heard of anything good there this year.

[@spiltmilt]

Must be doing something wrong

[@nolebrady8256]

Dude missed you on brewester last weekend got spanked can't find dodgers. Only had flashers bro,. Were the hell can I buy dodgers driving me crazy..

[@spiltmilt]

Most local stores stock them, even some gas stations have them!

[@nolebrady8256]

@@spiltmilt not over here in the Spokane area can't find anything dodger style over 6 inch. Sucks

[@briancrabtree7088]

Try elephant boys in Spokane, big selection and cheap. Same owner as the old white elephant store.

[@nolebrady8256]

@@briancrabtree7088 I was driving down there road yesterday thinking that I buy all my boat stuff there just want sure if he had dodgers.

[@bankerliu1366]

why are they all on the surface? the first 2 fish can both be seen jumping right after the hookset...

[@spiltmilt]

No thermocline and fish are feeding shallow. They tend to get the zoomies when you stab them in the face

[@bankerliu1366]

@@spiltmilt cool, good to know. where i am when trolling for trouts, they're in 60-ish feet of water.

[@Bykerboy26]

Tyler im out here now struggling to locate them. Can you point me in the right direction Please?

[@spiltmilt]

I don't have any later summer experience on that lake but I would bet they are moving up lake by now.

[@Bykerboy26]

@@spiltmilt thank you

[@ronlee597]

Late June?

[@spiltmilt]

Yes

[@erichunter14]

I don’t understand the size difference in kokes between places like this and say Stateline or Lost creek where they spawn at only 15”. If their life cycle is limited to 4 years, how so much of a difference? Do some bodies of water somehow create an extra year before they spawn making that larger class of 3 lb fish? Hard to believe nutrients in a lake can cause a fish to grow 2.5 lbs bigger in the same amount of time.

[@spiltmilt]

It all food and competition and very little to do with genetics

[@MrAcuta73]

Thinking I'm going to buy a Yak finally. My Dad selling his boat because he's too old and fat (and refuses to take care of himself) to take care of it and I can't commit the time to help him as much as I'd like. Thinking about buying one of Robert Fields' Yaks as I want something saltwater capable and the price:performance seems quite good. That and RIGHT after I bought a commuter car, my truck was totaled in a rear-end accident....so now I'm stuck with just a station wagon til I get this POS paid off. 😪

[@bradfarrahgerwing154]

When are you up for your Cariboo trip bud? My boy and I are going to Bridge lake Monday for 5 days

[@spiltmilt]

Nice! Yeah I'll be up there next week. Looks to be cold and wet.

[@gyffgffggggh1778]

What was that dog in the video?

[@spiltmilt]

There is no dog in this video.