Slow year, for sure
I'm not a kokanee expert by anybody's standards, but manage to put a few in the boat every trip. I've never been skunked om kokanee at the Gorge. Can't say that about Strawberry or Jordanelle. I've been there 4 times so far this year and have two more trips planned this month (Aug 2020). We have not limited more times than we did limit on kokanee. Last day up there we caught our 6 kokanee in 70 minutes with one 7 to 8 inch released early. I have definitely seen less fish on the sonar and in the livewell this year than I did in the last 2 years. So for me, this year's production of kokanee is down. I, along with many others that I talk to, are of the same opinion; a major factor in the lower numbers is PROBABLY due to the huge increase in the number of folks fishing the Gorge this year and the huge increase in number of boats on the water this year. Full parking lots during the week is the norm this year and I can't remember any previous year where that was the case. I think it's way too early to know if this is the start of a long term trend. I'll be back to the Gorge next year for at least 6 trips and hope for better success and less people.
Bob Hicks, from Utah - I’m 80 years young and going as hard as I can for as long as I can.
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