Boy, I hope I'm not spoiling a good thing (I'm planning to go back in a week or two) but boy was Baker fun.
I found myself with an unexpected Sunday off (stupid rain), so I threw the canoe on top of my car and decided to try for the Kokanee I'd always heard so much about up at Baker Lake.
I got to the dam boat launch at 3:00 to find it windy and choppy (lot's fun in a canoe by yourself) but I load up and after a bit of difficulty getting out I get the trolling motor going and were off. I head up wind so I can run downwind through the channell to the dam, get far enough up wind, start trolling my Mack's Kokanee killer and nothing... little deeper... nothing... deeper... nothing. Hmmm, back and forth a couple of times and still nothing (I've been assured by many they are there).
Well, I ran the canoe up into an inlet so I can have a snack and think for a bit. While sitting there I crush up some crackers for the little minnows I see swimming around and watch them dart around. Then I throw in a salmon egg and six of them rush it like linebackers after a fumble. Ahh, red.
I then switched to popgear and a Mack's Double Whammy with Anise flavored marshmallows and Potzki's salmon eggs. Finall, at a 120 cranks out (remember, canoe with trolling motor. downrigger BAD) just as I passed where the channel opens back up by the boat launch WHAM (wait a minute, Kokanee, more like tap). I lifted the rod to set the hook and waited a moment, nothing. Dam, I missed. I stopped the trolling motor and reeled in. I got to 100 cranks befor he let me know he was there. He flashed and splashed and had to be the prettiest brightest eleven inch trout I've ever seen. I brought him into the canoe, admired his shineyness, and sent him on his merry way
I then proceeded to go back and forth throught the same area catching 6 more just like him (letting all go of course) missing many hookups, losing a couple at the boat (one who seemed to thumb his nose at me as he paused just out of reach, before lazily swimming descending away) and one who was so anxious I was only a meer 70 cranks out when he hit. He danced and splashed his across the surface as I reeled him in.
Finally, it was just me and the bats, so I loaded up and went home.

*Editor's Note - nice report, but don't forget - fish caught with bait apply toward the daily limit whether or not they are kept.

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