Well the weather has been hot last week but now it has cooled off. While on the lake early morning near Emerald bay I could not believe all of the debris floating in the lake, logs tree branches and much more, the lake looked dirty. I am sure this was some material washed into the lake from the run off and some from the fire near fallen leaf lake. Most of the lake is clear. In years pass there were a few good tackle shops, but now I am not sure. I usually take a trip t Reno if I really need any gear. They have Sportmans warehouse and Shields in Sparks Nevada. Both are great stores for tackle.
I have been trolling for the Macks with my down riggers in approximately 200 feet of water. I usually seem to catch the macks with my rig set at 120 feet to 150 feet. This is the depth where I usually catch the macks, some times even shallower. I try to troll near the deep canyons and drop offs. For my set up i will trap some live minnows. I use a dogger with a 3 foot leader and a large treble hook #4. There is a tool which is a small rod that you insert into the minnows mouth and push it out of its rectum then you tie your treble hook on. I have always caught Mack's using this set up while trolling. I have never had any good luck at all on artifactual lures.
Jigging is also another good way to catch macks. I will find an area where the macks are stacked up and I will jig for them. I never had very good luck doing this either. Its fun and I keep trying but just haven't caught one yet. I usually us a 3 0z jig or heavier sometimes. I will put a minnows on the end of the hook and drop it down to the level where the fish are at, by looking at my fish finder and my line counter. I will also put some bait lure attraction on the lure.
Well there you have it, I am not expert, I just enjoy fishing here at the beautiful lake. I mostly come for the Kokanee but for now I will fish for the Macks. Hopefully in a week or more the Kokanee bite will be on. Sometimes you just never know. I
am staying here in the keys myself. Let me know how you do. Good luck.
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