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Cavanaugh Lake Report
Skagit County, WA

Photos

Details

11/18/2017
46° - 50°
Trolling W/Downriggers
Cutthroat Trout
None
Silver-Gold
Cloudy
Spoons
Morning
46° - 50°
11/18/2017
5
2883

Another lake I haven't fished since I was young. I have a picture of me fishing there, bit no actual recollection of doing so. Time to change that!

A somewhat late start, maybe about 9am before I got my lines in the water. I trolled al the way to the west end of the lake, zig-zagging my way as I went looking for fish. As it happens, I found the largest concentration of fish as the very west end. On 1 line I ran and Elgin Fishing God's Tooth Spoon in 50/50 brass/nickel. I played around with shallower depths with this line, and found 7 feet to be money. I caught maybe 15 fish, and I think all but 3 came on this set up, ran straight out of the package on fast action, with about 4-5 feet of leader. On the other line I messed around a lot. Tried a Elgin Fishing God's tooth in a perch pattern rigged up Kokanee style, another 50/50 set up ran kokanee style, and for a bit I put a bit of corn and dipped everything in dipping sauce and did look for some kokes (nada), ran a Woolly Bugger with a 50/50 God's Tooth in front like a spinner blade (got 1 fish) also ran a black f4 flatfish behind some micro pop gear (nada), and ended with a Frog Pattern God's tooth set on fast action, 5 foot leader, no dodger etc. This got my last fish. I also messed around with depth a lot chasing meter marks. The last fish on the frog patter I caught at 6 feet (where the other line had been most of the day) but otherwise I was 6 feet down to 45 feet. Really just messing around with that line. Would have liked to have found some Kokanee, but I honestly put little effort into my search for them.

It was a little windy in the morning, but it calmed down a little later and actually cleared up a bit. The mountains came out and were spectacular. Nice to have a dry non 50mph weekend day to fish! No big fish today, largest was maybe 13-14 inches, other were probably 11-12 inches. I did have 1 fish surface and spit the hook before I even knew it was on, it made a very loud splash and I got just a peak at it out of the corner of my eye. Looked like it might have been a nice fish. Either that or it's just the story I am telling myself :) Oh, and no skinny snake head looking fish. A few could stand a few more meals, but all the fish looked healthy.

Video shows most of the action today.


Comments

The Quadfather
11/19/2017 10:02:24 AM
Nice report/video. Glad to hear the cutts. seemed better fed. (-:
JoshH
11/19/2017 2:19:22 PM
I was expecting some to be like some of the pictures from reports here, but I didn't find any that looked malnourished. It's a long trip from the far west end back to the launch pedaling a kayak. I need to go back ijn the spring and put an honest effort in for kokanee.
ElginFishing
11/19/2017 2:06:53 PM
Excellent report and video! Glad to see the cutts are active and hungry for the 50/50 gold and frog. Thinking the red/white prototype might work too:)....i like your gloves, where did you get those?
JoshH
11/19/2017 2:24:50 PM
Ooh yeah........ we need to try Sammamish with that prototype! Maybe a test run on Cavanaugh prior :) Gloves are Simms I got at Holiday Sports. Thumb has a tip cover that folds back and is held in by a strap. Fingers have a mitten cover that folds back and snaps to the top of the glove. My hands stayed warm without feeling any type of restriction wearing them.
JoshH
11/19/2017 2:45:06 PM
Ooh yeah........ we need to try Sammamish with that prototype! Maybe a test run on Cavanaugh prior :) Gloves are Simms I got at Holiday Sports. Thumb has a tip cover that folds back and is held in by a strap. Fingers have a mitten cover that folds back and snaps to the top of the glove. My hands stayed warm without feeling any type of restriction wearing them.
ElginFishing
11/19/2017 2:53:04 PM
An initial test at Cavanaugh would be good:) Thanks for the glove info, those look warmer than mine!
FishingTenor
11/20/2017 9:05:45 AM
Thanks Joshh for another fine report on the cutthroat hotline. I was thinking about Cavanaugh, since in the vicinity of Big. Nice lake, with a great view of the mountains when clear.
I caught a nice Kokabow there last year. All rainbow outside characteristics with nice color, but bright, red meat like a Kokanee.
Fun to see Gods tooth, bringing in fish and a smile again.
JoshH
11/20/2017 1:41:31 PM
Definitely a beautiful lake to fish.
Salmon King
11/20/2017 12:43:15 PM
Great report...nice video.
Kind of gets me wanting to brave the temps and get out there.
But....I’m hoping to get an invite with another pontoon fisher to go after done Kokanee....
I’m still a Kokanee virgin...but I now have at least some gear and my pontoon set up.
Salmon King
11/20/2017 12:43:22 PM
Great report...nice video.
Kind of gets me wanting to brave the temps and get out there.
But....I’m hoping to get an invite with another pontoon fisher to go after done Kokanee....
I’m still a Kokanee virgin...but I now have at least some gear and my pontoon set up.
JoshH
11/20/2017 1:40:38 PM
Proper gear and the weather/cold isn't bad. Kokanee fishing is an addiction, be careful! :)
FastActionGS
11/21/2017 2:02:53 PM
great report!
JoshH
11/21/2017 11:11:12 PM
Thanks!
Ben Eggertsen
3/9/2018 10:21:20 AM
Good report. Thanks.

I am not sure you'll get this question since it is several months after the trip but I am hoping it reaches you. Since you were only fishing 6 or so feet deep, did you need to use the downriggers? Did you try top lining without them?
JoshH
3/9/2018 10:35:58 AM
Hi Ben. Funny thing, I plan to hit Cavanaugh tomorrow. I'll be Kokanee scouting with 1 line and going after cutts on the other. I didn't try flatlining at all. I mainly use the downriggers all of time time, mostly for the ease and speed of moving the line up and down and knowing the exact depth I am at.
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Available Guide

Available Fishing Guide:
Website: Washington Guide Services

Phone: (509) 881-9052