Retirement Destinations for Kokanee Anglers

[@Goats22]

as one of the 5% of your viewers from BC, i appreciate that you have recognized us and even come up here to fish a bunch of the lakes! Vancouver Island just got 2 new kokanee lakes as well.

[@galentorneby2480]

Thanks Tyler, I appreciate what you put together here. We're currently living in the Calistoga CA area, I am 65 years of age and would love to retire soon. As you know we also have some excellent kokanee fisheries and other fisheries in Northern California, we are excited to see the Kalama River come back to its glory now that the dams are being removed. Same for the Elwha River, in WA, where we hope to see the kokanee from Lake Sutherland re-establish a sockeye run in the Elwha. I have my sights on Kamloops, not sure I can take those winters though and there is the citizenship aspect too.

[@rja62b]

im 27 and im already thinking about retiring

[@gwenfreeman7022]

I'm one of your 5% of Canadian followers. I'm retired so many of the factors that you addressed are very familiar to me. I don't dispute that Kamloops is in the center of some good kokanee fishing. But.... I have a couple of alternatives that will give you access to the best of the Caribou lakes and a much cheaper lifestyle. 100 Mile House is right in the midst of more fishable lakes within an 1.5 hour drive than you can possibly fish in a year. There is a smaller hospital there, but if they can't handle whatever you have goin on, you have good access to the specialty medicine in a larger center like Kamloops or Williams Lake. Another alternative that fits your criteria is Clearwater. Its a smaller municipality but has a good hospital and other facilities. It also has the advantage of having one of the main Kokanee/trout hatcheries right in town. We also have a nice lake just across the highway from the hatchery with decent kokanee and trout fishing. You are less than the 1.5 hour drive to many of the Caribou lakes. Another advantage to Clearwater is that it is at the bottom of the North Thompson River valley where the weather is less extreme than it is in the Caribou. We do have enough cold weather that most of the lakes in the area except the really big ones (Adams, Shuswap, Kamloops) do freeze up and let us have a great time ice fishing the same lakes we fish for Kokanee in the summer.... Just putting that out there... Tight Lines to all regardless of where you choose to base your fishing adventures from.

[@donelder2788]

That's another great post, Tyler! Since I live semi-retired in a semi-rural area between La Pine and Sunriver Oregon, I appreciated your choice for #1 and can attest to some great fishing for kokanee and much more right here. Alas, right after my best May ever (especially good since Wickiup is back and Crane Prairie was smoking hot for kokanee), and just before my annual shift to Paulina and Odell, family considerations suddenly required us to to leave my dream fishing locale soon and head back to the Portland area. Our house here will be on the market in two weeks...but I'll be back often. On the bright side, I'll probably get to central Washington now to fish some of the other areas you highlighted.

[@chrismelton67]

Great video and timely. I'm nearing my retirement in a few months and will be headed to visit family in Washington. I grew up on both sides of the Cascades in Washington and will gravitate there in retirement. It seems no matter what you fish for, PNW has something for everone. Thanks for all of the great videos that remind me of the fishing I did decades ago.

[@daveintheburg]

Outstanding Tyler! What a great piece of information for retirees. I'm in your upper retirement block and currently live in Ellensburg. Originally from Spokane so I'm familiar with those opportunities. Most recently my wife and I traveled to the Tonasket area, and your absolutely right about the beauty and opportunities there. Got a trip next week to Wallowa and hopefully we can capitalize on some decent Kokanee fishing. I've been retired now for a couple of years and spend a lot of time hitting the circuit and your recommendations never fail to disappoint. Again great job on helping the retired guys and gals. Hope to run into you one of these days.

[@dayinthelife4110]

Don’t go any farther north than Tonasket, not worth it! Lol!

[@GaryRoenickr]

Great info and interesting points. FYI, even in California they don’t tax Social Security, just the fed does. Also Heber City has terrific fly fishing and golf. Thanks for the tips. 😊

[@chubbrock659]

hey hey, nice to see Heber on the list. it is definitely a great city, but you're right.... it is RODANKULOUSLY expensive. It's growing a lot too so Jordanelle, Strawberry, and Deer Creek get so crowded in summer when the lake lice come out to play.

[@samsmith7150]

Hey Tyler great info! Can't wait for Brewster I will be there mid July

[@robbysmusic8507]

Thank you Thank you Thank you.

[@peterhendrickson9610]

Tyler-thanks for this video! Great info. Have you ever thought about doing one that discusses the best all-around places to live for anglers in general? I.e. places with access to the most diverse range of fisheries, quality and size of fish, ability to get away from the crowds, etc? I realize that’s a big topic but it would be fun to hear your thoughts on the best overall fishing meccas especially here in the Northwest.

[@mattprosser2705]

As a resident of northern BC I’m right where I want to be in terms of Kokanee fishing

[@alsellers5657]

Is there a Fontenelle trip on the agenda this summer? It's been a windy, cold spring so far. Just started to warm up this week. Thanks as always !

[@spiltmilt]

No exploring new areas this year

[@BC-ue3ku]

When I retire I’m going to get in the RV and go to all these places!

[@Spencer_Plant_Projects]

Pinedale... great trout fishing. Trophies. Could never live in that town long term, it seems very bleak in the winter.

[@boba-mg5md]

Tyler thx for the great information, I think I will stay in colville but would luv to spend some summers in bc

[@spiltmilt]

Coville is a really nice town

[@squamishfish]

Not sure if you have been to the Okanagon valley in British Columbia, the Kelowna , Penticton , Vernon areas great Kokanee fishing with fairly large cities with all the Amenities

[@chubbrock659]

Side note… just saw a post that a 20 1/4 Kokanee was caught at Jordanelle today. Looks like a beast

[@spiltmilt]

😳

[@chubbrock659]

I will likely retire to Manila or Dutch John Utah where I can be on flaming gorge every week, but I need to be near a golf course so maybe Vernal will be a better option.

[@spiltmilt]

Vernal is an interesting town. A little hot for me and run down but well positioned for the outdoorsman

[@daltonstetz6809]

In the .3% let’s gooo. What lake is hot right now? I went to Merwin last Saturday and it was completely dead.

[@spiltmilt]

Chelan is kicking out some amazing fish this year. Most of the Kokanee fisheries west of the Cascades are dead or dinks

[@daltonstetz6809]

@@spiltmilt yeah we have a cabin up in Republic/Curlew area. Went up there during Memorial Day weekend and hit up Bonapart. Limited before 11 both days I fished, plus my first Tiger and PB Bow & Koke. Crazy fishing, went to Merwin and was the exact opposite. Gonna try Chelan in the next few weeks, would be my first time there! Any tips or areas would be great!! Thank you!

[@spiltmilt]

They are in the lower basin around the red roofs. This video should help. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHXTgmmZm6l8p80

[@daltonstetz6809]

@@spiltmilt thank you so much! Watching now!!

[@estric3246]

That thumbnail got me very confused 🤣. Nice grey beard, seems like you'll age well!

[@daveengstrom9250]

Kokanee fishing is fun, but walleyes are king with me. Wherever one fishes, bring doughnuts and hot coffee!!

[@J33J1]

You can figure the age of future Spilt Milt by counting its neck rings.

[@jessetharp6319]

I think all I got from this was I need to retire early 🤣

[@waynewithers5529]

You mentioned a hatch that affects the kokanee around Boise. I couldn't understand what you called it. Where can I get some information on that?

[@spiltmilt]

Bikini hatch 😂

[@waynewithers5529]

@@spiltmilt 🤣I did see multiple full moons the other day.

[@squamishfish]

Arrow lakes in British Columbia holds the record largest Kokanee at 12.1 pounds

[@spiltmilt]

That was a one off fluke and it was even caught. It was scooped off the surface and eaten 😂

[@squamishfish]

@@spiltmilt 🤭That’s ok ,, yes I saw some other videos of Arrow lake Kokanee fishing and more often than not they were much smaller

[@Newtrous]

Where’s the Spilt Milt Getting Old Sucks gear?!

[@spiltmilt]

😂

[@xinwang4013]

I am curious how you handle so many states' or Canada's fishing license/regulations while you are going around places to chase Kokanee's. :D

[@spiltmilt]

It’s not hard. I just read

[@boba-mg5md]

All the licensing fees, vehicles, hunt and fishing ,getting out of hand in Washington

[@spiltmilt]

To be honest Montana, Idaho, and Oregon aren’t any better

[@davidholmer6099]

No tax on groceries in Washington State. Idaho doesn’t tax SS, but they do tax pensions.

[@spiltmilt]

Not true I have a receipt right in front of me. $2.31 on $31.77 in groceries

[@davidholmer6099]

Washington differentiates between food that requires preparation and ready to eat items. Non food items like dish soap, paper towels are taxed. Pop and alcohol are taxed.

[@dayinthelife4110]

@@spiltmilt Washington law exempts most grocery type food from retail sales tax. However, the law does not exempt “prepared food,” “soft drinks,” or “dietary supplements.” Businesses that sell these “foods” must collect sales tax. In addition, all alcoholic items are subject to retail sales tax.

[@TiredAmerican247]

California is prime fishing. Politics and real estate are ridiculous.

[@spiltmilt]

100% I’d live there if I could afford to

[@TiredAmerican247]

@@spiltmilt you could always live around Redding. It’s not as expensive and you’re around the most prime lakes and rivers in California. Employment is the only issue.

[@spiltmilt]

Yeah with only 1 viable Kokanee fishery nearby though its gives me pause.

[@TiredAmerican247]

@@spiltmilt there’s Shasta for Kokanee. Land locked kings in Trinity (largest land locked kings), Shasta, Oroville, and Almanor. A little further is Berryessa, Stampede, Boca, French Meadows, Melones, Shaver, etc. You can focus on big browns at Mcloud, Shasta, Almanor, mostly any lake in the foothills or sierras that have Kokanee. All these lakes have rainbows or if you fish East sierras they stock them with Lohantan cutthroat now.

[@TiredAmerican247]

@@spiltmilt tons of options. There’s a huge void for videos about fishing for trout/salmon species in California’s lakes.

[@fishwhistle9666]

BC sucks! Don't fish there! It's terrible and the cost of living is waaaaayyy too high. Tiny fish! Plus who wants to ice fish anyways?

[@slacktide_angler]

BC stands for "Bring Cash"

[@fishwhistle9666]

😂😂

[@codygray7791]

Lol