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Home , Ice fishing

March 2017

Ice for Kokanee By Lance Merz The Pacific Northwest has a Northwest Outdoorsman), and Pro lays a lake called “Lake Alleyne”. that is gaining popularity in Staff Danny Coyne (BCFishin. The drive itself was inspiring. We a hurry - it’s called Kokanee fishing. com). Just a few short hours to the even saw two Moose on an adjacent These landlocked Sockeye Salmon north, we made the trek into British lake that was froze over. The sun are feisty and finicky to say the least. Columbia where Danny lives and he was just starting to rise and the There are so many variables that began to tell us that he and a friend majestic presence of this beautiful must be taken into consideration had went out earlier in the day and creature was worth the trip in and when it comes to fishing this species caught their limit of five kokanee of itself. Danny had told us of his of fish, also called “silvers”, or each. The anxiety started to build; I success in days prior and we were “blue backs”. speed, was excited to catch some kokanee! ready to get on the lake. Once we clarity, water temperature, colors of This was going to be my first time. arrived and prior to walking on the lures, baits and scents, are just a few , Danny gave us a safety briefing, things an angler must align. Here’s After talking about kokanee explaining how it would feel when a challenge, try fishing for them fishing as well as stocking reports you first got on to the lake. The past through the ice! provided by the Province until bed week brought a slough of rain to the area, which turned the top ice layer into when the day slowly gets warmer, and the ice re-freezes again over night. An awkward feeling at best, Danny re-assured us that the ice was plenty thick and we would have no problems.

Creating a slight bend in the Sling I was afforded the opportunity to ice time, I tried to go to sleep, which Blade™ will add flutter on the drop fish for Kokanee with Bob Loomis failed miserably. About an hour west to get fish to strike. Photo courtesy (Mack’s Lure), Richy Harrod (The of Peachland, British Columbia, of Danny Coyne.

Continued on Page 2 Page 1 Continued from Page 1 We set up in a location on the one day, might not necessarily work series Glo® Hook did the trick, yet lake that Danny had success the day the next day. I got the impression that again. On this day however, the prior, each of us toting a sled with ice fishing for Kokanee was going bait was changed from maggots to all of the equipment with items like to be of an equal challenge that went white shoepeg corn, tipped with Pro ice tents, auger, rods, chairs, depth from a horizontal presentation, to a Cure’s Bloody Tuna and Anise. The finder, bait, and lures. vertical one. The Sling Blade™ had entire time we were fishing, Richy a slight bend in the dodger, which was shooting a TV show for the allowed for a more dramatic drop. Northwest Outdoorsman, which can Nestled between the Glo Hook and be seen later this year. the Sling Blade™ was a size five split shot weight, which allowed the presentation to remain in a more vertical position. Otherwise, the Glo® Hook could get tangled into the dodger.

Danny Coyne has been very successful with Sling Blade™ dodgers and the Sonic BaitFish™. Photo courtesy of Danny Coyne.

We were in the middle of the lake, which was around 80ft deep. As Marina Coyne with her catch of Kokanee. Photo courtesy of Danny Danny drilled holes, Bobby, Richy Coyne. and I helped set up the tents. Once everything was set up, Danny gave Ice fishing for Kokanee is not us a seminar right in the middle of only another humbling experience, the lake. He said that the Kokanee but it tests your patience as well. during the winter months can be As this fish continues to grow with found in the middle part of the lake, Inserting a split shot weight popularity among anglers, try ice completely away from the trout. between the dodger and the Glo® fishing for them; it’s well worth it. These fish would be suspended Hook helps to keep the presentation between 10’ to 60’ in the water vertical. Photo courtesy of Danny column. The best way to jig for Coyne. these fish would be the same way The fish finder wasn’t marking any a person would use a Yo-Yo, small, fish in the ice tents, so Danny drilled consistent jigs about a foot in length. some more holes not far from where we started. Fish after fish started The riggings to fish for these tasty coming through the hole, yet the morsels was really quite simple. A day was slow. In all after the first Mack’s Lure products are excellent Mack’s Lure Sling Blade™, with a day, 11 fish were caught. As the sun for ice fishing. This picture shows started to set and the temperature a hooked kokanee, getting ready 14” leader and a Glo® Hook was to come through the ice. Photo all that was needed. Tipped with dropped, we headed back to Danny’s courtesy of Richy Harrod. a live pink maggot, the charge of house where Richy made deep fried the Glo Hook really does the trick Kokanee, and his wife Marina made Danny Coyne with BCFishin.com (the charge actually keeps the hook a delicious salad, with potatoes and is awesome and not only is he a great glowing for about 20 minutes). As an excellent dessert. A meal fit for angler, but a huge advocate of the Danny was showing us exactly how kings (and queens) to be sure. conservation of this type of fishing to jig for these fish, the rod tip bend; for many years to come. British fish on! We really started getting The next day brought us to the Columbia is un-tapped in many of excited then. same lake, which provided ten fish the lakes for Kokanee. Make a trip; by 9:30am. The same rigging was you’ll be glad you did. Fishing for Kokanee is always a used with the Nickel/Pink 4” Sling humbling experience; what works Blade and a size four red hook Page 2 that day at Montgomery Lake down Stan’s Space in Georgia. It weighed 22 pounds, 4 ounces. Will It Ever Be Broken That record has been threatened a By Hall-of-Fame Angler few times but never been officially Stan Fagerstrom topped. You may remember the Part 1 excitement and publicity attached to the catching of a huge largemouth It seems like there is a lot of truth in Japan a couple of years ago. As about that old business you’ve I recall, that one was said to have undoubtedly heard a good many weighed 22-pounds, 5-ounces. I times. What is it? It’s simply this: think the decision that was finally made was that a new record would These whoppers came out of “All records are made to be broken.” Mexico’s Lake El Salto. The one have to top the old one by at least When you’ve been around as the angler is holding in his right long as I have, you’ve undoubtedly 2-ounces to get official recognition. hand weighed 11-pounds, 2-ounces. actually seen this happen time after Years ago you could pretty well That’s a 9-pounder he has in his time. I remember, for example, pinpoint where record size bass left hand. The angler is Les Melton, when the first four minute mile were most likely to show up. Those of West Virginia. went into the record books, when a locations were where Florida strain I’ve caught salmon that were quarterback threw a record number largemouth were to be found and at crowding 50-pounds. I’ll always of touchdown passes, somebody hit one time. There have been major remember their tremendous strength the most home runs and the list goes changes in this regard. as they fought for their freedom. I on and on. Today, Florida strain tackle never did manage to break that 50- These busted records also apply busters have been introduced all size in the many years I lived and to the various species of sports fish over the place. In addition, there fished in the Pacific Northwest. found all around the world. Keep an are spots around the country that Be assured I’ll never forget the eye peeled and sooner or later you’ll when especially big bass are caught chinook I hooked one morning on see this happening. Like they say, they are put into specially operated Southwest Washington’s Cowlitz records are made to be broken. That laboratories in efforts to use their River. The Cowlitz is a major may be, but there’s one record in future spawning procedures to the tributary of the lower Columbia the world of sports fishing that has utmost advantage. about 50 miles downriver from stood for a long, long time. I have visited some of these labs Portland, Oregon. The Cowlitz and myself. Just eyeballing some of certain areas of its tributaries also those big hawgs in their captive provide prime spawning areas for environment brings a mixture of the variety of sports fish that feed emotions. and grow in the oceans and then I’ve heard it said a bass that tops return to spawn. the present world record will be Why do I remember that chinook worth a million dollars to the lucky salmon I mentioned? It sure as heck angler who catches it. It might be, wasn’t because I ever got to eyeball but only if the angler who hooks it that thing up close and careful. As Anytime you see me holding a bass doesn’t have a heart attack when the soon as that fish grabbed the bait of this size you can bet I’ll bet I’ll be fish is finally up close to the boat. fish eggs I’d just cast and let bounce smiling. Look closely and you’ll see I don’t care how many big fish along the bottom---it took off! this beauty smacked a Mack’s Lure you’ve caught - and I’ve caught And when I say took off that really Stan’s Spin . The Stan’s my share - I swear nothing looks doesn’t tell the story. Spin is one of the few lures that has as monstrous up close as a big I might just as well have not been put a bass of more than 10-pounds largemouth bass. Maybe it’s that big standing on the bank with a rod in in the boat for me. mouth that does it. Or perhaps it’s my hands. My level wind leader The record I have in mind is the because they come along so seldom. was loaded with 30-pound line and one for largemouth bass. The all Maybe only someone who has spent 20-pound leader. When that monster time record for bigmouth dates way much of a lifetime trying to catch had stripped all but a few yards of back to June 2, 1932. An angler them fully appreciates it when a big line so far down I could almost see named George Perry caught one one does show up. a bare spool, I finally clamped both Continued on Page 4 Page 3 Continued from Page 3 thumbs down on the spool just as bare fire tiger-colored 1/2 oz SBF hard as I could and held on. When To Add Scent hooked up on its first cast. For the The result? S-N-A-P! If I hadn’t To The Sonic BaitFish next hour, the SBF out-fished live been holding onto my rod as hard (SBF) By Captain Pete Rosko bait. Since the SBF is especially as I was I’d of probably lost it too. By Captain Pete Rosko effective on a slow or dead tide, I I’ve also had my hands plumb full was waiting for the tide to slow beaching a couple of steelhead that so I could show how much more were both very close to 20-pounds. effective the SBF could be (that’s I mention these fish to provide when the line remains straight proof that I know what some good down, without off, while fish look like up close to the boat. vertical ). Big mistake! It was a full moon tide and the tide would be ripping the entire day. At tide change, if there was any slow down in the current, I never saw it. Instead of slowing down, it increased and In the “Sonic BaitFish (SBF) Tech killed my jig bite. In the old days, Guide”, there is a short segment as an offshore guide, I would have discussing the adding of scent to been better prepared and would have the SBF. In Washington State, I known to change tactics. Instead, never had the need to incorporate I kept jigging and watched my scent whether fishing in fresh or boat mates out-fish me. If I would salt water. However, in other parts have listened to my own teaching, of the country, adding scent can as explained in the Sonic BaitFish immediately change a dead bite into Tech Guide, I would tip my jig in This largemouth bass weighed a an active one. whopping 14.8-pounds. Big as this times like this. By adding scent, On a recent Gulf of Mexico trip, fish is it doesn’t come anywhere a dead bite can become an active off Destin Florida, I joined three near the current world size record bite. I finally gave up the purist friends for a flounder trip. Before that has stood for decades. approach and tipped my SBF with heading offshore, the captain made a one inch piece of cut bait. It was a quick stop in the pass to buy about I once had opportunity on to share like immediately turning night into four dozen 4-inch mud minnows a hotel room with Ray Easley, of day. Literally, every drop thereafter which resemble a chub with its Fullerton, California. For some produced a fish. Combining scent, large head. time, Ray had the distinction of with lure vibration, produced an Our destination was a low profile having caught the second biggest unbeatable combination. I was back artificial structure in 70 feet of water. largemouth ever taken on hook and to out-fishing the live bait with two It was a cloudy, calm day which I line. I’ll share what he had to tell me very noticeable results. Unlike the always prefer. The only variable about it in my next Stan’s Corner subtle nibbling bites that resulted working against us was a strong tide column. from fishing with live , all that never slowed down the entire my strikes on the SBF were hard day. Once we reached our fishing strikes. Secondly, the live bait fish spot, the skipper never anchored. only produced flounder whereas the Instead, his GPS-controlled bow- SBF produced five other species mounted electric motor kept the Mack’s Lure besides flounder. boat over our spot. Most boats, My experience of that day can Sonic BaitFish™ under 25 feet, use this alternative serve as an example of adapting to form of positioning off the Destin conditions that can affect us across region. North America. For example, many Because of the strong tide, casting Mack Attack readers fish up-current was necessary to reach in the Columbia River. Most of bottom where the flounder were my fishing was on Lake positioned. While the rest of my Erie’s western basin and inland fishing buddies were baiting their Ohio reservoirs. In either case, sinker rigs with mud minnows, my Continued on Page 5 Page 4 Continued from Page 4 tipping with a night crawler piece Fishing is a great stress reliever. dramatically increased my walleye Gary’s Fishing Corner Being outdoors away from the catches with the SBF. Whether for hassles of everyday life gives you walleyes, or yellow perch, a worm- The Benefits of Fishing the opportunity to unwind and tipped SBF is hard to beat! regain your mental capacities. It Boat control is another important By is good for your heart and soul. It consideration when metal jig fishing Gary Miralles teaches you to be more patient so with a SBF. a) On a slow drift, I will you can handle the stresses of life bottom-bounce a tipped SBF on better at home and at work. the up-current side to prevent my presentation from going under the Fishing is also great for family boat. Many times on , bonding. It gives us an opportunity with about a one foot chop, bottom- to spend some good solid time bouncing a glow chartreuse SBF outdoors with our children and gives from a rod holder (positioned parallel them an opportunity to experience to the water) produced exceptional all the wonderful things that nature catches of large walleyes. The provides us. rhythm of a fluttering SBF, produced from the rod holder, out- Finally, you will bring home fished my hand-held rod approach. dinner and yes, an opportunity for NOTE…Many rod holders are of you to cook the family dinner. I the fixed angled type that is useless recommend a good barbecue for for this technique as the rod must be While I was at a Sportsman’s this job. parallel to the water’s surface to be show this year, I talked with a fellow effective. Only an adjustable rod about a situation with I do need to add one final thing holder can accomplish this along him and his wife. The discussion that I discovered at the end of our with a medium action rod. b) On a was about him fishing too much conversation. His fishing buddy fast drift, or snaggy structure, I like and his wife having a problem with eagerly shared some things that he to cast directly into the direction it. So we discussed in length the felt I should know about his fishing that the boat is headed. Especially benefits of fishing and how best to partner. Apparently, this guy’s boat for deeper water, this enables my jig explain it to his wife so she could was very nice and worth more than to reach bottom faster and allow for understand. So I thought I would both their vehicles combined. His more time in the strike zone. For a share this today, with any of you lawn had not been mowed in weeks snaggy bottom, I can work my jig that may have a similar situation at and his yard was a mess with broken through the structure longer. In case home. limbs from the winter storms. His of a snag, the lure can be freed as gutters were full of leaves and the boat passes on the down-current By spending time outdoors in the the rain water was spilling over side of the snag. For any type of sun you gain the very important the sides. His wife’s car had a fish especially positioned near Vitamin D. It helps your body to broken headlight and needed new bottom, the action produced from absorb calcium and phosphorus, windshield wipers. He had not the flash of a fluttering & vibrating two minerals that help your immune taken his kids with him fishing in SBF on the fall is the deadliest form system fight disease, which helps months. Plus he had no clue about of action to cause a fish to strike! keep you healthy so you can better date night. Thank you for being a subscriber provide for your family. to the Mack Attack. It is my pleasure My last and final recommendation to share my tips with you that have Fishing is great for your health in for this fellow was. Find a good resulted in plenty of memorable other ways. Casting your rod and family therapist! catches over the years. In February, fighting fish with a constant motion I reached my 80th birthday and I’m help burns calories. If you’re hiking Good Fishing y’all. shooting for another twenty years of into a fishing hole or paddling a talking fishing with you. kayak you are gaining a lot on the Gary Miralles Best wishes for good health & exercise aspect the fishing. excellent catches.

Page 5 Trolling Lead Core Line some great action that predacious Wiggle Hoochie 4.5" From A Kayak fish can’t resist. I like to maintain an average trolling speed of 1.5 mph By while letting out one to four colors Brad Hole of lead core. Each color puts your One of the challenges with kayak lure down roughly five to six feet in fishing can be trying to target fish the water column but the depth can that are deep in the water column. vary based on current, speed and There’s nothing more frustrating water conditions. than seeing a fish on your fish finder Placing your rod in a forward at 10 to 25 feet below the surface… rod holder will help you focus on And knowing your top water the tip of your rod and knowing trolling presentation will never be when to respond to the fish strike. seen by that fish. Getting your lure Practice making gradual S-turns deeper and in front of that fish will and reducing and increasing your only increase your odds of getting trolling speed will help to trigger that fish to strike. that next bite and hopefully land When it comes to you that next trophy fish. less is more. Skip the . Trolling lead core line from a kayak is an easy and effective way of trolling for fish at deeper depths. Lead core line is a thin gauge of wire protected by a braided outer sleeve. The line is color coated every 50 feet easily allowing anglers to count the number of colors they are Years ago I remember The Wiggle Hoochie is pre-rigged with a two laser sharp 4/0 stainless letting out, each getting your line experimenting with lead core line further down into the water column. hooks with a 1/2 in. gap. Tied for the first time. I was so afraid that on 40 lb. line for extra strength, For targeting trout in local lakes I this sinking line was going to snag the Wiggle Hoochie’s unique bill use 18-pound lead core line with a the bottom. My line was roughly 15 design gives it a quick, erratic 50-foot mono leader. The long 10 to feet down and 150 feet behind me. vibrating action that drives salmon, 12 pound mono leader helps to not For several minutes I was so fixated trout and most all game fish crazy. spook the fish while giving your lure on watching the tip of my rod for a natural presentation in the water. any action that I failed to notice that I was now in 18 feet of water. I turned abruptly and that’s when my rod bent over. I thought for sure I was snagged until I heard the splash of a fish going aerial behind me. As I reeled in the slack of the line, the fish leaped a couple more times and made several runs under the kayak before I netted my first 20-inch cutthroat trout. Kayak fishing with lead core line eliminates the need for down riggers for fish at deeper depths. Photo courtesy of Brad Hole.

I’ve been a long time fan of www.MacksLure.com Mack’s Wiggle Hoochies® tipped with a small worm which produces

Page 6 variety of colors and series such as HOT DEAL OF Question of the Month bronze, glo fly, red, and treble hook. THE MONTH Have a question? We’d love to answer Video of the Month Wedding Ring® it! Contact us at MacksLure@Mack- UV Spinner sLure.com if you have a question you would like to see featured! Two hooks are better than one! Click Here to watch the Q: What are the uses for Glo® video of the products that have Hooks? two hooks to help with a better . A: Glo Hooks provide a If you have video’s to share, luminescent glow in the water we’d love to see them!! Send that attracts fish. Mack’s Lure has your video links to: MacksLure@ Get ready for this fishing season perfected these hooks which are MacksLure.com. by purchasing the Wedding light weight and hold their glow for Ring® UV Spinner! During 20-30 minutes. They can be used the month of March, enter the in a variety of ways and most of The staff at Mack’s Lure is always code “UVWRUV” and receive the time, is usually tied as a trailer committed to providing a quality 10% on all Wedding Ring UV hook, whether you’re fishing an product. We want your input! If spinners. in-line spinner or hoochie. The you know of anyone who would glow material is a hard, plastic type like to be on the mailing list to Enter code: construction that not only provides receive the Mack Attack, please extra attraction, but durability as forward their email address to Al@ UVWRUV well. The Glo Hooks come in a MacksLure.com. Photos, stories, and comments are welcomed and encouraged. Please forward Photo of the Month all content materials to Lance@ MacksLure.com THANK YOU!

Check out this under water shot of a kokanee caught on a Glo Hook while ice fishing in British Columbia! Photo courtesy of Richy Harrod of the Northwest Outdoorsmen.

Send your photo’s to [email protected] for consideration to be included in a future Mack Attack edition or on Facebook. See more pictures by clicking here: Mack’s Photo Gallery

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