Hey Don good to see you back at it. Looks like an amazing day on the Gorge and some amazing fish caught. Not sure how the other viewers feel but I would love a tour of your new boat and maybe a little insight on how and why you chose to outfit it the way you have. From what I could see of it in the video it looks like a real beauty.
It has been a crazy winter for me BUT I am finally able to get out and do some exploring. I would have put a kokanee video together but a sheet of ice showed up a couple of days ago right where we have been seeing some good schools of kokes. I hope you and your family wintered well.
It has been really good up here. But this week for some weird reason, the lake turned over the the bite went away for a few days. It's coming back now but I blanked on Tuesday!
Hey great vid! I searched Flaming Gorge lake trout fishing ...and here I am haha. Nice catch seriously - thats expert level right there. I really appreciate your content, you are very knowledgeable on the species and the specifics of the area. I'm new to the area and am planning on Flaming Gorge / Green River being my main fishing destination. I'm ex Northern California Dept of Fish & Game field biology, though I never worked with lake trout, our main areas (Region 2) was the Middle Fork Eel river (Yolla-Bolly Wilderness) summer steelhead runs, and coastal Coho and Steelhead runs mainly out of Ft Bragg. Targeting huge Mackinaw FROM the shore 'surf casting' style, has become somewhat of an obsession haha. I've been studying lake trout for about 20yrs now and developed successful shore fishing techniques that overlap certain variables you mention in the vid so it caught my attention. Spring time water surface temps at 50 or lower is usually a green light for shore casting where they do hit lures (my go to is large Cleo spoons, but plastics,crankbaits if I need plan B or C - they all can work) at surface down to 50-60ft, and often fairly close to the shoreline....casting distance - at least where I did the majority of my Lake Trout fishing which was Cle Elum lake in East Cascades Washington. My largest was 9-10lb area, I'm sure they have monsters there - but the goal is no boat - rod and reel only. If I could get a 30lber from shore...that would be awesome! This July I have the entire month to explore the area so of course studying maps, watching vids.......but to me, Flaming Gorge is like the U.S Crown Jewel fishery for Lake Trout! What I would like to see in future vids is how people can read lake structure to know where to fish a lake for what fish - and where not to. Also since I'm going this July, I have no boat but very able boots and backpack - is there anywhere you know I can camp out (primitive camping) from Red Canyon to the dam that could be good for shore access? I'm really looking for a sloping shoreline area that turns into a steep rocky dropoff, yet accessible to someone with solid 'mountaineering skills'.... its hard on the ankles but I have had good luck in that transition zone. Thanks for the great channel!
I actually do that very thing on most of my videos. All you have to do is find shallow flats that eventually drop off into deeper water. From the shore it is easy if you can cast at least 50 feet off shore. Once again, find shallow flats that go deep. just get up on a hill behind where you want to fish and look at the water. You will see the drop offs. Good Luck!
@@doafish Thanks Don! Hoping to find some good shore casting spots in a couple weeks. I'm going to try looking for spots around Hideout Boat Camp ,then travel lake shore to Carter Creek. I think I can get access there but not sure if its steep or good enough - I havent been there yet, so working from maps until I get there. I'm hoping to have access where Eagle Creek comes in to the reservoir (Red Canyon) but I'm not sure yet how much access to good water I have until I get there. If I get a good one I'll take some vid and share it...Thanks for the tips!
7:36 Hi Don! New to Flamming Gorge. Went up early this may but no big lakers. Any suggestions on areas to start for finding some of these bigger lakers? We launched at sheep creek and went over by carter creek the first day then over at the damn the second day. Thanks
Ryan, did you get ma previous response? If you didn't, just ask again and I will respond. I sent you a fairly detailed response but my dashboard didn't pick it up.
@@RyanRoberts-iq4kx I would try the area around Antelope launch ramp and in June, you need to be fishing the glide baits in the very early mornings before 9:00 a.m. If you are in Sheep Creek, the area surrounding the turn from Sheep Creek going towards the Red Cliffs (towards the cut through to Lucerne). Also, the same "low light" times in the evening will work in June as well. I will be back home this evening (Sunday June 2) so I will be fishing some this week. if things change i will respond again.
Hi Don, Enjoyed the video. My son and I are planning to head to UT to fish a few of the lakes including Flaming Gorge. Any recommendations, tips on where to stay and launch on the Utah side? Appreciate your help!
Five places to launch on FG, Utah side. Lucerne Marina, Sheep Creek, Antelope, Cedar Springs, and Mustang. If you are staying in Manila (recommended) either Lucerne or Sheep Creek would be the best spots to launch. There are Air B&Bs in Manila and several motels. Villa motel, Browning Motel, Flaming Gorge motel (formerly R-Hideout) are all good places to stay. i hope that helps.
Hey I've really enjoyed your videos on both Lakers & kokanee, looking to come up next week and was wondering if you have a preference of mono compared to braid and why? Trying to see which will work best for us. Thanks!
Good Question. For slow trolling glide baits I use at least 30-ib braid and 30-lb monofilament leader. I don't have to worry about breaking off regardless of the size. I actually have some 40 and 50-pound braid that I have used and even might have some tied on one of my rods now. But, that is overkill for this application
@@doafish thanks for the reply, I'll take that into consideration when my 13 yr old & I come up next Wed, if you see a blue Lund around sheep creek or hideout we'll try and scare some fish your way. 😎👍
One rod is a St. Croix 6 foot 6 medium action and the other is a custom made rod that i won in a bass tournament for the largest fish. It was made by Hell's Canyon rods in idaho. The reels are Okuma Magda reels with line counters on them. This rod is also a 6 foot six incher. The line is Power Pro Red, I believe 50-pound, and 30-pound Vicious Monofilament. The key is you need a strong backbone in the rod and the braid is strong and so are the leaders BUT monofilament stretches and makes up for the no stretch in the braid which helps your hookset better. Thanks for the question.
Remember, my glide baits run only 1 to 2 feet deep so the fish I am catching are very near the surface. I don't like to get deeper than 35 to 40 feet of water and I try to average around 25 feet. i hope that helps.
Apparently, guys "say" they'v'e been doing that for years. I guess the "secret" the nobody wanted to share is that they work on the surface. Personally, I really can't stand downriggers when compared with the feel of the hookset and the incredible time playing the fish. Maybe "can't stand" is a little harsh, but i would much rather catch them the way I do.
I have had a pretty weird winter. usually ice fish and travel in the winter but this winter we only traveled. i didn't ice fish once. Also, I was putting my new boat together which is still a work in progress.
Hey I would love to bring my boat down to come fish with you! I love Lakers! I make lake trout gear and fish flathead lake. My wife's birthday is the end of this month and it would be a dream come true to fish flaming gorge and catch her pb laker.
The fishing should be good by then. April is generally one of the best months to be on the water, though we are learning that any month on Flaming Gorge is a very good time to be fishing. Let me know when you are planning to come down.
I would get back to Antelope launch ramp area or even State line Bay. Find shallow flats in less than 30 feet of water. The dam area is too complicated for someone new to the reservoir.
It was a family decision. My kids and grandkids want more folks on my boat than the bass boat will allow. Soooo, I gave in and put my bass boat up for sale. I will shoot a video about how I am rigging the new Lund, but truthfully, i am having SERIOUS withdrawal pains after fishing for 25 years out of the best bass boats in the business. It's okay if you shed a tear or two for me.
@@doafish I feel ya! The deep V I bought was the closest thing I could get to a bass boat=like layout. Not sure how I will recognize you out on the Gorge now, though.
I am open to suggestions. I have owned 20 nets over the years and have found that if i am by myself (which i am a lot) any rubber coated net the size that I use, is too heavy for me to use. if you would notice, I have a smaller rubber covered net that I use for kokanees and pups. No lake trout was harmed in this video.
Nice fish you would think that you would invest in some reels for right handed guys those reels are set up for left-handed people it's really hard to reel stuff in like that.
I own 75,000 dollars in rods, reels, and tackle. And, i am NOT a guide. So, I choose to have right-handed level winds in my boat because for "most" of my friends I take fishing would rather have right-handed reels. IF a person wants a left-handed reel, I have nine spin cast reels that with in 20 seconds they can be switched form right hand to left. or vice versa, "Investing" in fishing tackle is not new to me and I challenge you to let me know how many rod and reel combination you own. Those who know me understand they are welcome to bring their own tackle should they not care to use mine.
Thanks. It was great to meet you!
Hi Don: You met me today at American Lake, WA. Thanks for sharing your UA-cam channel. I will pass on to my buddy in Montana. These are great videos.
Hey Don good to see you back at it. Looks like an amazing day on the Gorge and some amazing fish caught. Not sure how the other viewers feel but I would love a tour of your new boat and maybe a little insight on how and why you chose to outfit it the way you have. From what I could see of it in the video it looks like a real beauty.
I did not get it Don.
Great video Don. I’m sure Dad and I will see you on the water soon.
Looking forward to another year on the Gorge! Thanks for the info Don. See you soon hopefully!
It has been a crazy winter for me BUT I am finally able to get out and do some exploring. I would have put a kokanee video together but a sheet of ice showed up a couple of days ago right where we have been seeing some good schools of kokes. I hope you and your family wintered well.
Great video don thanks for sharing that was awesome.
Nice vid. Thank you Don
This was a great video! Thanks for the entertainment and education.
My pleasure.
great fish looking forward to the koke video thumbs up
Yes. We woke up this morning to 10 inches of snow so it won't be until next week at the earliest.
nice work...thanks for the post!!!
My pleasure. Stay tuned for more next week, weather permitting
Nice video, thanks. Boat looks great too.
Thanks, it is a work in progress
Freaking amazing Don
It has been really good up here. But this week for some weird reason, the lake turned over the the bite went away for a few days. It's coming back now but I blanked on Tuesday!
Very nice catches and boat Don!
Thanks, the boat is coming together but is not quite there yeat.
Been looking forward to a spring fishing update!
Thank you Don
Hey great vid! I searched Flaming Gorge lake trout fishing ...and here I am haha. Nice catch seriously - thats expert level right there. I really appreciate your content, you are very knowledgeable on the species and the specifics of the area. I'm new to the area and am planning on Flaming Gorge / Green River being my main fishing destination. I'm ex Northern California Dept of Fish & Game field biology, though I never worked with lake trout, our main areas (Region 2) was the Middle Fork Eel river (Yolla-Bolly Wilderness) summer steelhead runs, and coastal Coho and Steelhead runs mainly out of Ft Bragg. Targeting huge Mackinaw FROM the shore 'surf casting' style, has become somewhat of an obsession haha. I've been studying lake trout for about 20yrs now and developed successful shore fishing techniques that overlap certain variables you mention in the vid so it caught my attention. Spring time water surface temps at 50 or lower is usually a green light for shore casting where they do hit lures (my go to is large Cleo spoons, but plastics,crankbaits if I need plan B or C - they all can work) at surface down to 50-60ft, and often fairly close to the shoreline....casting distance - at least where I did the majority of my Lake Trout fishing which was Cle Elum lake in East Cascades Washington. My largest was 9-10lb area, I'm sure they have monsters there - but the goal is no boat - rod and reel only. If I could get a 30lber from shore...that would be awesome! This July I have the entire month to explore the area so of course studying maps, watching vids.......but to me, Flaming Gorge is like the U.S Crown Jewel fishery for Lake Trout! What I would like to see in future vids is how people can read lake structure to know where to fish a lake for what fish - and where not to. Also since I'm going this July, I have no boat but very able boots and backpack - is there anywhere you know I can camp out (primitive camping) from Red Canyon to the dam that could be good for shore access? I'm really looking for a sloping shoreline area that turns into a steep rocky dropoff, yet accessible to someone with solid 'mountaineering skills'.... its hard on the ankles but I have had good luck in that transition zone. Thanks for the great channel!
I actually do that very thing on most of my videos. All you have to do is find shallow flats that eventually drop off into deeper water. From the shore it is easy if you can cast at least 50 feet off shore. Once again, find shallow flats that go deep. just get up on a hill behind where you want to fish and look at the water. You will see the drop offs. Good Luck!
@@doafish Thanks Don! Hoping to find some good shore casting spots in a couple weeks. I'm going to try looking for spots around Hideout Boat Camp ,then travel lake shore to Carter Creek. I think I can get access there but not sure if its steep or good enough - I havent been there yet, so working from maps until I get there. I'm hoping to have access where Eagle Creek comes in to the reservoir (Red Canyon) but I'm not sure yet how much access to good water I have until I get there. If I get a good one I'll take some vid and share it...Thanks for the tips!
Wow amazing fish Don!! Great job!!👍🎣
Thanks 👍
7:36 Hi Don! New to Flamming Gorge. Went up early this may but no big lakers. Any suggestions on areas to start for finding some of these bigger lakers? We launched at sheep creek and went over by carter creek the first day then over at the damn the second day. Thanks
Ryan, did you get ma previous response? If you didn't, just ask again and I will respond. I sent you a fairly detailed response but my dashboard didn't pick it up.
@doafish I didn't get it Don.
@@RyanRoberts-iq4kx I would try the area around Antelope launch ramp and in June, you need to be fishing the glide baits in the very early mornings before 9:00 a.m. If you are in Sheep Creek, the area surrounding the turn from Sheep Creek going towards the Red Cliffs (towards the cut through to Lucerne). Also, the same "low light" times in the evening will work in June as well. I will be back home this evening (Sunday June 2) so I will be fishing some this week. if things change i will respond again.
@doafish Thanks for the info Don. Hopefully I can try to get up there soon. Looking forward to more of your videos!
Hi Don, Enjoyed the video. My son and I are planning to head to UT to fish a few of the lakes including Flaming Gorge. Any recommendations, tips on where to stay and launch on the Utah side? Appreciate your help!
Five places to launch on FG, Utah side. Lucerne Marina, Sheep Creek, Antelope, Cedar Springs, and Mustang. If you are staying in Manila (recommended) either Lucerne or Sheep Creek would be the best spots to launch. There are Air B&Bs in Manila and several motels. Villa motel, Browning Motel, Flaming Gorge motel (formerly R-Hideout) are all good places to stay. i hope that helps.
Hey I've really enjoyed your videos on both Lakers & kokanee, looking to come up next week and was wondering if you have a preference of mono compared to braid and why? Trying to see which will work best for us. Thanks!
Good Question. For slow trolling glide baits I use at least 30-ib braid and 30-lb monofilament leader. I don't have to worry about breaking off regardless of the size. I actually have some 40 and 50-pound braid that I have used and even might have some tied on one of my rods now. But, that is overkill for this application
@@doafish thanks for the reply, I'll take that into consideration when my 13 yr old & I come up next Wed, if you see a blue Lund around sheep creek or hideout we'll try and scare some fish your way. 😎👍
Hey Don, great video, how fast are you going with this presentation?
Sorry rewatched the video and you answered my question. How much line do you let out?
As little as 60 and as much as 120.
What rod and reel combo are you using and lb test line ?
One rod is a St. Croix 6 foot 6 medium action and the other is a custom made rod that i won in a bass tournament for the largest fish. It was made by Hell's Canyon rods in idaho. The reels are Okuma Magda reels with line counters on them. This rod is also a 6 foot six incher. The line is Power Pro Red, I believe 50-pound, and 30-pound Vicious Monofilament. The key is you need a strong backbone in the rod and the braid is strong and so are the leaders BUT monofilament stretches and makes up for the no stretch in the braid which helps your hookset better. Thanks for the question.
Ty for the info keep the lines tight!!!
what length baits are you using?
Six to eight inches
How deep of water were you fishing in this video?
Remember, my glide baits run only 1 to 2 feet deep so the fish I am catching are very near the surface. I don't like to get deeper than 35 to 40 feet of water and I try to average around 25 feet. i hope that helps.
Awesome video! Have you ever thought of trolling with the glide baits on a downrigger?
Apparently, guys "say" they'v'e been doing that for years. I guess the "secret" the nobody wanted to share is that they work on the surface. Personally, I really can't stand downriggers when compared with the feel of the hookset and the incredible time playing the fish. Maybe "can't stand" is a little harsh, but i would much rather catch them the way I do.
@@doafish I feel you on that. I was kinda thinking when it’s hot and they are deep.
great looking boat, moved away from the bass boat?
I have had a pretty weird winter. usually ice fish and travel in the winter but this winter we only traveled. i didn't ice fish once. Also, I was putting my new boat together which is still a work in progress.
Hey I would love to bring my boat down to come fish with you! I love Lakers! I make lake trout gear and fish flathead lake. My wife's birthday is the end of this month and it would be a dream come true to fish flaming gorge and catch her pb laker.
The fishing should be good by then. April is generally one of the best months to be on the water, though we are learning that any month on Flaming Gorge is a very good time to be fishing. Let me know when you are planning to come down.
I would get back to Antelope launch ramp area or even State line Bay. Find shallow flats in less than 30 feet of water. The dam area is too complicated for someone new to the reservoir.
You splurged on a new boat, Don?
It was a family decision. My kids and grandkids want more folks on my boat than the bass boat will allow. Soooo, I gave in and put my bass boat up for sale. I will shoot a video about how I am rigging the new Lund, but truthfully, i am having SERIOUS withdrawal pains after fishing for 25 years out of the best bass boats in the business. It's okay if you shed a tear or two for me.
@@doafish I feel ya! The deep V I bought was the closest thing I could get to a bass boat=like layout. Not sure how I will recognize you out on the Gorge now, though.
Please buy a good rubber coated net.
I am open to suggestions. I have owned 20 nets over the years and have found that if i am by myself (which i am a lot) any rubber coated net the size that I use, is too heavy for me to use. if you would notice, I have a smaller rubber covered net that I use for kokanees and pups. No lake trout was harmed in this video.
Nice fish you would think that you would invest in some reels for right handed guys those reels are set up for left-handed people it's really hard to reel stuff in like that.
I own 75,000 dollars in rods, reels, and tackle. And, i am NOT a guide. So, I choose to have right-handed level winds in my boat because for "most" of my friends I take fishing would rather have right-handed reels. IF a person wants a left-handed reel, I have nine spin cast reels that with in 20 seconds they can be switched form right hand to left. or vice versa, "Investing" in fishing tackle is not new to me and I challenge you to let me know how many rod and reel combination you own. Those who know me understand they are welcome to bring their own tackle should they not care to use mine.