I was in meetings most all of last week, so I didn’t get out fishing. It pains me not to be able to get out on the water and I am envious of those who did. I can’t tell you how much I miss being out enjoying the benefits of living here in Central Washington and participating in the great fishing opportunities it offers.

One of the best opportunities this winter is kokanee fishing on Lake Roosevelt. I looked at the lake level graph for Lake Roosevelt and the water level is dropping sharply. This is great news for those who like to fish for the giant kokanee that are showing up in the big reservoir this year. It looks like the kokanee fishing is going to be as good or better than it was four years ago when the last really big fish were being caught with great frequency on Roosevelt.

I checked in with Austin Moser, who has been fishing for kokanee on Roosevelt since December, and he reports that the action has really picked up. He is limiting most days and says that anglers are catching fish now from Keller all the way down to Grand Coulee Dam. The fish are still very shallow, and he is pretty much fishing right on top with the blades from Kokabow without any weight on his side planers. Anglers using downriggers aren’t dropping their gear lower than 10 feet. It looks like we’re in for another great winter for fishing giant kokanee on Lake Roosevelt.

If I was planning a trip to Lake Roosevelt, this is what I would be sure to take along. I have some great 9-foot, soft action rods with Okuma Coldwater line counter reels. These are perfect for side planer fishing on Roosevelt. I would be sure to pack my Sidewinder side planers, that have been modified by my brother Rick, and can be purchased at Hooked on Toys in Wenatchee. These are easy to attach to your line and when a fish is hooked they just slide down your line. You don’t have to remove these planers from your line to land your fish.

Next I would be sure to have a good selection of Kokabow blades, spinners and squidders. There is a lot of really good kokanee gear on the market, but since I was introduced to Kokabow Tackle five years ago, I have been using it exclusively for kokanee and rainbow and have not had a reason to switch. I am excited about their new Copper Series and the first kokanee I caught on Roosevelt this season was on one of them. I favor the pink and orange colors for winter kokanee fishing on Roosevelt. The photo in this week’s column is of a kokanee caught early in the season on a Copper Series blade.

The day before I go I also get my corn ready. I take a can of white shoe peg corn and divide in half between two containers. In one I add salt and Graybills Guide Formula in the Craw/Anise scent. In the other container, I mix the corn with Pro-Cure’s Wizard Kokanee Killer Korn Dye. This will stain the corn a nice deep pink, and anything else it touches, so be careful. I add the Graybills and salt and put the containers in the fridge.

I make sure I have my net with the long extending handle to reach the fish and a cooler to put them in. I know it doesn’t seem necessary in the winter, but I keep my catch on ice. I also throw in my bag of knives and my Fillet Away Fish Mat. I try to fillet my kokanee and rainbow before I get home. It makes my life easier. Happy wife, happy life, you know. So, grab your Kokabow Tackle blades and spinners, get a can of white shoe peg corn and Graybill’s Guide Formula and get up there!

As I mentioned earlier, the fishing for giant kokanee is going great guns on Lake Roosevelt. Trout fishing is fantastic at Billy Clapp and big whitefish are being landed on Banks Lake. Anglers are filling buckets with fat perch on Curlew Lake. These are just a few of the terrific fisheries going on here in Central Washington, but many anglers will be heading to Yakima this weekend. They will be attending the 31st Annual Central Washington Sportsmen’s Show at the Sundome. For over three decades this show has entertained anglers and hunters with the exhibits, displays and seminars. The doors will open at 1:00 p.m. on Friday and at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. New this year will be Nature Nicks Exotic Animal Show. I am sure this will be a big hit. As always one of the most popular attractions is the Lunker Lake Trout Pond, where kids get to actually catch a rainbow trout. There are seminars all three days where you can learn how to be more successful in the field. I have been going to this one for years and always have a great time. I will be there with the folks from Bob Feil Boats and Motors, so be sure to stop by and say hi.

The following weekend is the 7th Annual Wenatchee Valley Sportsmen Show at the Town Toyota Center. It’s hard to believe that Shuyler Productions has been doing this show that many years in Wenatchee. This show doesn’t typically have the number of vendors and exhibits as the other shows, but you can still book some great fishing and hunting trips and see some great products. I think that the seminars are the most popular attraction at this show. People hear from and get to talk to some of the local experts about fishing on our local waters. This year the Nature Nicks Exotic Animal Show will be in Wenatchee, and I know that the seats will be packed for this one. The kids will love the chance to get a fish at Lunker Lake, too. The doors open at noon on Friday, February 21st and you can get into the show at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. There are special giveaways each day for the first 150 people to come in.

I look forward to seeing folks at the two sport shows coming up. I always enjoy that, plus I hope to get out on the water soon. I will tell you all about it if I do!