Northwest Reel Life April 2023 Volume 2 Issue 10 - Flipbook - Page 22
We have had success using the
kokanee size Brad’s Cut Plug lures,
Coho Killers with an extra bend in
them, kokanee/sockeye flies, and
Brad’s Wee Warts. Start with the
basics, a “0” dodger and a bare 3/0
red hook, and then be prepared
to make changes until you are
consistently catching fish.
Downriggers are the way to go
with this fishery, but dropper
rigs rack up many of the fish
caught at Baker Lake. When
running downriggers, beware,
the lake is uncharted and there
are many stumps, old structures
and who knows what else to
snag you downrigger ball on. If
using downriggers, be alert and
be prepared to part company
with your downrigger ball (does
your pre-trip planning include an
extra downrigger ball?). Safety
first, especially if fishing out of a
shallow freeboard skiff, kayak, or
inflatable. A 10-pound hunk of lead
is not worth losing your boat or
giving your boat mate unexpected
swim lessons. Try to maintain your
trolling speed at .8-1.2 MPH, and we
have found that 5-10’ setbacks from
your downrigger clip are all that are
required.
22 | NWFISHING.net
Another thought and in my mind
a gem of an opportunity. Late in
the season these fish form tight
schools and cruise around on the
flats where the Baker River flows
into Baker Lake. There are several
underwater springs in the area
and the fish seem to be staging
for the spawn. With caution you
can slowly motor (or row) into the
area, find a pocket of fish and drop
a dead weight anchor. There will
be a ton of logs and woody debris
so don’t use any kind of pronged
or claw anchor. An old pile of chain
or bucket of cement is perfect.
Caution: do not come into this
area of the lake on plane or even
any faster than at idle. Depending
on lake level there are numerous
stumps and trees just waiting to
meet your prop. Why go to all this
effort? Glad that you asked…
With a little luck and an
adventurous spirit, you can set
yourself up to sight fish sockeye
with a fly rod. Let me tell you it is an
absolute hoot, and once you have it
dialed in, you’ll be a serf to the great
sockeye gods. You’ll go to sleep
dreaming about watching your
line snap tight as the water seems
to boil around it and wake up in a
sweat still dreaming about your
airborne quarry.
I’ve said this before; Baker Lake
sockeye are the best eating fish
in the state. To preserve their
quality, bleed and ice your catch
immediately. If you’re camping,
gut the fish and pack the body
cavity with ice, layer the fish in ice
with a handful of rock salt evenly
scattered around on top of the ice.
It is best to use an ice chest that
is dedicated to your prize catch.
Leave the ice chest drain plugs out.
This will prevent your catch from
sitting in an ice chest ½ full of cold,
very slimy sockeye sludge.
So, those are the late season basics;
I wish you luck and an enjoyable
trip to Baker Lake. Please be
respectful of the opportunity to fish
Baker System sockeye. This fishery
is closely monitored and there
will be multiple game wardens,
WDFW, and Sheriff Department
personnel conducting on the
water checks. If there is widespread
abuse, they will close the fishery. Be
courteous, know the regulations,
limits, and gently release any Dolly
Varden trout caught.