Big Cariboo Kokanee

Kokanee Eh? Is Presented by:
- Paulina Peak Tackle: paulinapeaktackle.com/
Central British Columbia is home to many lakes that host natural spawning or stocked populations of Kokanee. Most famous is the "Fishing Highway" of the Cariboo where more than a dozen Kokanee lakes can be found within 30 minutes of each other. In this Kokanee Eh? series I venture north of the border to target my favorite fish in foreign waters. After struggling with weather and poor fishing the first few days I ventured out onto Big Deka Lake and after a long pedal from my launch point on Little Deka to the upper end of Big Deka I started finding the big Kokanee I came to the Cariboo to catch!
Tackle used in this video:
- Paulina Peak Tackle Kokanee rod: paulinapeaktackle.com/shop/ol...
- Paulina Peak Performer Nickel Moon Jelly Lite: paulinapeaktackle.com/shop/ol...
- Paulina Peak Pink Microhoochie: paulinapeaktackle.com/shop/ol...
- Paulina Peak Micro Minnow Pink/Purple Spinner: paulinapeaktackle.com/shop/ol...
- Berkley Gulp Maggots White: amzn.to/3Ygrx3a
- Pro Cure Water Soluble Bloody Tuna: amzn.to/3JrdsrV
- Snaps for snap weights: amzn.to/38c2tEz
- Fish Hawk TD Sensor: amzn.to/3OCbXvh
As an Amazon Associate I earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through the Amazon links. I only link products I use and recommend.
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[@FougereFamilyAdventures]

Well done!!! This video was great to watch, because I know the feeling and the journey you went through chasing Cariboo kokanee. They're in there, but sometimes the lake will not give up what you're looking for. I was laughing at your commentary in the "quiet" wilderness we call home here and excited for you watching this video, because I know that feeling of "FINALLY!" This is what it's all about. That smile said it all throughout the whole video. And, it looked like you were shaking with excitement which makes it that much more special. I'm glad our Facebook group members at Kokanee Fishing BC were able to help you out. I look forward to the next video from Bridge Lake and hopefully more videos when you return to BC to explore some of the many kokanee lakes our Province has to offer. Dude! DUDE!!! hahaha. You Rock Tyler.

[@glennwashington2186]

Welcome to Canada. We actually learned how to Kokanee fish off your videos and we slay Kokanee in the cariboo twice a year. Huge success on bridge lake with pink hoochies and garlic bloody tuna corn we dyed pink with the procure dye. 15 ft deep trolling at 1.3 mph with a 60 ft set back. We’ve NEVER been skunked on bridge! Currently smashing 3-4 lbs rainbows on Sheridan

[@gixxx750]

Good to hear your fishing trip up north was a success. Hope you come up again and showcase some of our other north ern lakes. Your videos always educate - inspire - entertain.

[@ncalais09]

You know how many fish it takes to make a fisherman happy? "Just one more..." Haha so great 😂

[@shawnbetancur5847]

Man you couldn’t keep that smile off your face when you got your first one. Great catch.

[@shelleyszulinszky9732]

Fishing eh, the only place to get a private wildlife show and dinner. Best dinner show ever! Nice catch, yes yes❤️✌️👍

[@darrellryan2337]

Man NOW THAT WAS AWSOME Those Kokanee were to die for. great job loved the video.

[@johnscottspencer]

The agony of defeat followed by the thrill of victory!!

[@TheFishingDoctorsAdventures]

Dang... after watching that I want to head up there and try to catch them ice fishing! I tried little DEKA once and was totally skunked. Big Deka is a LONG walk in the winter dragging a slay. Maybe I should head up to the Cariboo next week I have off... will have to think about it!

[@lickitysplitquick]

Great video as usual. Your joy and enthusiasm make your videos a joy to watch.

[@jackchinook]

Fantastic video. Watching you go through the highs and lows of this fishery had great production value!

[@TheFishingDoctorsAdventures]

That Fish Hawk Depth/temperature thing is pretty cool.

[@sprmario123]

Just wanted to drop in and let you know that I got a Salty PDL, the roof rack and roller setup and love em both. Thanks for your videos. Not sure I would have gotten them otherwise.

[@greenvii1407]

Great video as always looking forward to the next one. Nice Deka lake kokanee!

[@collinmc90]

Great video man. makes me wanna get out this evening. I can't agree more about noise. If we are feeling lazy we just go down to deep bay to fish on osoyoos but man. the screaming kids, lawn mowers, jet skis, music. It does take away from the experience, it really makes the difference to go a little further and get some peace and quiet. I used to live on whidbey island, it was CONSTANT air plane noise lol.

[@chriskennedy5726]

Beautiful job Tyler. Great location. Wonderful video

[@robertstewart9859]

Just awesome!!

[@boise2Talay7886]

Great tip on the technique for identifying the depth of the thermocline. Appeared to make a big difference in terms of how successful you were and man those were some beautiful Kokanee of unusual size, thanks for sharing the video with us.

[@casttimefishing]

Great video (as always). Snap weights have been saving my summer. I make sure they're always loaded in the tackle bag for each trip.

[@jerryberg6244]

Dude!! Loved that reaction and spot on, those are HUGE!!

[@wantasandwichfilms1841]

Loved that you have found success in my home province. I just have to get up to hwy 24 but so many options for trout fishing around Kamloops. Safe travels.

[@ColtonWilson3000]

Glad you got into some big bc Kokanee. Looks like you had fun. I bet you will be back now. Haha

[@leshamilton6657]

Beast mode! Great work!

[@deej9367]

So awesome! Nice fish bro👍

[@armytruck08]

Wow , I was considering picking up one of those Fish Hawk temp gauge units until I saw the price !!!!! . Holy geeeeezzzzzz $400 + . I think I’ll pass . Wouldn’t want to lose that to the bottom of the drink lol . Great vid though. We will be hitting up Stump Lake in a few weeks

[@arthurjones9580]

Damn your videos are awesome!

[@codygray7791]

Awesome!

[@philipochoa3365]

Nice catch buddy!

[@Goats22]

awesome video! i am glad BC gave you some good fishing. we actually have a beer up here called Kokanee lol

[@ShenpaiWasTaken]

Those are huge! Really really nice fish!

[@robertadams9409]

Always look forward to watching your videos! Very nice fish for sure!

[@fishwhistle9666]

My favorite dodger as well. Thanks for introducing me to pp tackle! Pain in the butt to get it up here but worth it. Awesome fish

[@johng337]

Great video Tyler! 🙂

[@wayneroberts7852]

Slayed them!!! Great job man, had me getting excited for you!

[@garyroenicke2102]

Incredible fish you go after. Great video and well done

[@returnofsid]

WOW!! what more can I say?

[@ChipDarby13]

Man those are some beautiful kokanee! I might have to try Big Deka soon…

[@Northwestfishingfanatics]

I enjoyed watching that video. Nice limit.

[@NghiaPham-xi5so]

Do you think in your future videos, when using your snap weights, can you show on the video when you snap on your weights and then lettting your line out? Thanks

[@spiltmilt]

This video shows the whole process in detail kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3-0nGCKZcaJpsk

[@NghiaPham-xi5so]

@@spiltmilt Thanks!

[@Phishrman]

That Koke-asouras Rex was huge!!! Right on Tyler! Did you measure it? 22" incher? Thank you for doing what you do.

[@davids7943]

Wow! Some toads!!!! Congrats!!!

[@johnbelcourt1225]

I want to go back to that lake !!!

[@andrewbeach1685]

You look very alone. So peaceful

[@robin8559]

And your very best scented corn. If they allow it. Your the best.

[@samsmith7150]

DUDE DUDE!!

[@alhardie8277]

Great video I have fished all those lakes! Admire your work ethic, your legs must be like tree trunk’s!

[@Sorensenoutdoors]

Nice koke

[@j-hag-Slayminnows]

Not sure if you said anything about length but just got my PB at Wickiup 20'1/4 and totally understand how pumped u can get catching a trophy size kok . I've looked at my pictures of the kok at least 20 times sense I caught him.

[@spiltmilt]

Hell yeah congrats!

[@thyexodus]

I love your production and crisp audio/video on your kayak. Do you mind telling me the microphone you use for great audio?

[@spiltmilt]

I use wireless mics from Rode. Spendy but worth for it for the quality.

[@ronlee597]

Southpaw--caught almost everything on the port side again.

[@mikesauer7775]

I have hit 8 big kokes in a row and lost every one 20ft from the boat in Wickiup resv. 18"-20" heart breaking when you can't get one in the net. 30 years ago. No idea what kokanie are like currently there

[@cask8553]

Glad you made it up to BC to show me which lakes to fish :) I have never been there. Happy Fishing dude!

[@robin8559]

Are you using long leaders up there. Put your best short leader stuff out there. You know what works.

[@KevinSmith-ev8yq]

What an opportunity to catch some big Kokanee and enjoy pristine surroundings. I started using the clip weights you use. My questions is, if I let out 40ft and then clip on, is my depth determined by the line out after I clip on or is it combined?

[@spiltmilt]

Its primarily influenced by how much line you let out after clipping in.

[@KevinSmith-ev8yq]

@@spiltmilt I dug around just now in one of your older videos and finally found a comment thread with more detail. I have a kokanee depth chart that is based upon 12# mono trolled at 1.2mph and then various weights. Granted it does not tell me where/how they gathered the data. but at least I have a reference point to start with. Keep up the great videos.

[@charlescook94]

Dude it's big when you say dude, dude, Dude.

[@somewherefishing382]

I’m new to the PNW been watching a lot of your videos! Do you know the closest lake to catch Kokanee near oak harbor WA? Also which end of Baker lake were you fishing? Thanks !!!

[@spiltmilt]

On Baker Lake I was fishing the north end near Noisy Creek. Cavanaugh or Samish are your best options for Kokanee.

[@somewherefishing382]

@@spiltmilt thanks! I appreciate it!

[@jackhuttinga1776]

I noticed in the video that you have your dodgers stored in a folder like container. Have you made a video about storage of dodgers, hoochies and other tackle? Thanks for a link if you have done so.

[@spiltmilt]

Right here Kokanee Tackle Storage kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpyUhqSendyhftk

[@jameswillson8502]

Awesome video! What scent was working for you?

[@spiltmilt]

Garlic bloody tuna

[@kevinredden7833]

Looks like fun there! What is the watch you are using to tell you how far you've pedaled?

[@spiltmilt]

Garmin Forerunner 265

[@rgrrgrsxndngr1904]

Ima be around Tonasket this weekend. I got a paddle board and fly fishing rod, got any recommendations on some lakes I could catch fish with that setup?

[@spiltmilt]

Pretty hot for trout right now.

[@boise2Talay7886]

Many moons ago I had a close friend with access to staying in a cabin that was in close proximity to Bonaparte Lake. We would use float tubes and the fishing was good on several of the lakes in that vicinity. Usually we had better catch rates on the smaller lakes like Lost, Beth and Beaver than we did on Bonaparte but since it's been 15-20 years since I last fished in them, things could certainly be different now. We were also mostly using our fly rods on those trips.

[@Newtrous]

Awesome!!! What are you using to track your distance?

[@spiltmilt]

Garmin Forerunner 265

[@livinglife2535]

When will you be back to Eastern WA? I would love to connect and fish with you.

[@spiltmilt]

Just got back but headed off to the Westside for some Kokanee and salmon fishing at Buoy 10

[@TigerShark2700]

hi were you using bait on red hoochee or just bare? cheers

[@spiltmilt]

Yes bait

[@johnbradley1466]

Would like to fish the Brewster pool this weekend but hear there is a king tournament . This would be my first trip to the pool . Is it worth trying ? I hear the Kokanee has slowed Thanks John

[@spiltmilt]

No Kokanee in the Brewster pool just Sockeye but I haven't been out lately so I can't say what the fishing has been like.

[@johnbradley1466]

@@spiltmilt Yea I meant to say Sockeye is now a good time for Kokanee in Roosevelt up by the Spokane reach ?

[@spiltmilt]

Kokanee are best targeted on Lake Roosevelt in the Keller's Ferry area this time of year. Some smaller fish up by Lincoln.

[@glenho72]

where were you fishing Kokanees, the north end or south ?

[@spiltmilt]

North

[@allandam9540]

Nice Catch. One question, Do you troll around in a random depth? or in a drop or in a deep flat? Thank you.

[@spiltmilt]

Nope not at random depth I use temperature to help guide me

[@jerillarhen]

Guessing you were asking about depth of water not so much target depth of lure. To me lure depth is much more important that how much water is under the boat, sometimes structure/water depth will play a role in where the fish hang but it is very low on my priority list. If I have riggers set to 60' I may be in 70 or 300 FOW and it generally makes little to no difference.

[@allandam7032]

@@jerillarhen Thank you so much, That was my question. The reason i ask is, it seem fish are holding in certain area of the lake and not anywhere with the same depth. So, i though the structure and depth of the area would hold more fish.

[@spiltmilt]

It varies sometime I will only find Kokanee holding above certain depths other days there are scattered. In general points and shelves seem to concentrate fish.

[@allandam7032]

@@spiltmilt Thank you.

[@jamesthompson6492]

Those were hawgs. Did you weigh or measure any of them?

[@spiltmilt]

Biggest taped out just under 21"

[@jamesthompson6492]

@@spiltmilt I took your advice and went to Fontanelle Reservoir for three days and ended up with 15 kokes . One was 19 and 2.66#.

[@glenho72]

Any Walleyes or Bass there ?

[@spiltmilt]

No

[@fredaw61]

So it appears you stuck with the Old Town PDL.

[@spiltmilt]

For now. We are hoping to move soon. I may change kayaks depending on where we end up

[@fredaw61]

@@spiltmilt have you made a decision on which of the three you were talking about.

[@fredaw61]

@@spiltmilt have you looked at the Bonsfied P127?

[@spiltmilt]

It will almost certainly be the Hobie Revo 13 if I switch

[@fredaw61]

@@spiltmilt didn’t see that coming. Lol

[@Badkharma21]

CKOUS’S

[@spiltmilt]

😂 accurate

[@paulproios3433]

Too bad you’re all twisted up when fighting and netting fish. Wish the seat would just swivel around to fight it head on.

[@spiltmilt]

That would be a stability issue for certain

[@bradfarrahgerwing154]

Got a big kokanee on Bridge lake in the Cariboo saturday night 22.5 to 23 inch, had to be over 6 to close to 7 pounds....was slow last week with the weird weather but we still got a few Normally this time of year it would have been in the 30s Celsius with VERY little rain....been fishing the Cariboo for 25 years with property for 15 years.....tough year......it was like this for a year or 2 around 12 years ago from my sparse journal notes I keep

[@returnofsid]

WOW!! what more can I say?

[@returnofsid]

WOW!! what more can I say?