Tell me about Kokanee Salmon...

One of our larger lakes here in the Laramie valley has been stocked with kokanee over the years. They are locked in this lake, in that there is really no outlet for them to go up or down. I have never fished for salmon (fly gear or otherwise). Also, I am limited to fishing from shore and shallow wading. THis lake also has browns, rainbows and lake trout as well as perch (all stocked by game & fish at one time or another).

What approach might one take for the salmon, fishing with fly gear from shore? Is it not doable? Would I go after the salmon the same way I would go after the browns and rainbows?

Do you think the cooler temps would bring the fish closer to shore?

I just ask because I have never caught a salmon before.

My friends here have been <gasp> snagging the shit out of them.

I've caught Land locked Kokes when they're running on bright pink streamers, egg sucking leach type flies and spinners too. But outside of them running, the only other time I caught a Koke was while ice-fishing.

Would they typically hang in deeper water then (if not running)?

Am I right to assume that they would be near the Mackinaw, where as the rainbows and browns may be in the shallower areas?

What time of year would the Kokanee typically try to run? This lake is totally locked, but there is a "shallow" end with a channel through it. Perhaps I should focus there?

Lately we have been in the 70's in the day and 30's at night, and I would probably be fishing either early morning or late evening (towards sunset).

Edit:

Here is the lake, but the water is really low right now...

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...90981&t=h&z=14

or try this:

http://tinyurl.com/54etps

The Kokanee around us run right about now. I've used basic streamer patterns...bright colors seem to be the trick. Sleadhead flies/colors have worked well but you rarely pick up a trout around here on a pink and purple fly! So, I prefer fall colored trout patterns to mix it up a little.

Wish I could offer more than the obvious but I don't fish them too much.

Well, I get to "babysit" my dad's 8wt Zero G rod next week until my mom comes through town to pick it up next weekend to take it back to him, so I am going to give it a shot and check it out on this lake. An 8wt is a bit overkill, but I want to check this rod out and see how far I can shoot some line. :D

8wts are never overkill. :D

I'd reccomend fishing for the things that eat the kokanee...



You may look for gravely areas because I'm sure they will be trying to spawn, also any trickle flowing into the lake will probably have fish around.

Do the kokanee spawn if there's no outlet? I don't know--that may be why they keep re-stocking. If you see a bunch of them around spawning beds throw an egg pattern behind the redds. Should be some big trout laying in wait for the huevos.