This is a channel designed to simply teach people how to catch fish. I have been an outdoors writer and professional angler for 25 years. I have 2250 articles published worldwide and have written for Bass Master Magazine, Bass Times, and have owned and published Bass West Magazine. i also wrote the "On Fishing" column for the third largest newspaper in Utah for 21 years. My goal is to show people how to be more successful as anglers with a focus on Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Northeastern Utah and southwestern Wyoming. From rainbows, cutthroats and burbot to Kokanee Salmon, Lake Trout, and Small mouth Bass, this in my way of giving back for all the wonderful things I've learned over the years. It pleases me to be able to share my knowledge with as many as possible. On this channel, you won't see much of me, because I record using a chest cam.
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Love the lund I have the 1875 Crossover great boats. I have similar issues with the Helix 9 if you get it figured out that would be a great video.
All I can do right now with the helix 9 is turn the sensitivity up to 100 percent. Now, it is showing more fish but I actually believe where the transducer is mounted “may” also be the problem. I will continue to experiment and report back in. Thanks for the comment.
It was a pleasure to meet you this morning. Will you do a video on how you target Lake trout with Live bait?
No I won't do that type of video. Unless i am mistaken, you cannot use live bait in Utah. I can't be sure about Wyoming but in my experience, when we are releasing "unharmed" 99 percent of the larger (over 25 inches) lake trout that we catch, I shutter to think how much mortality there would be if we were allowed to use live bait. i have used live bait for pan fish in states that allow it and certainly in the ocean, but not here and never for lake trout.
@@doafish sorry autocorrect got me on that one…. I meant Glide bait.
Don any good areas to fish from shore this time of year? Will be staying in Manila
Lucerne Point is very good this time of year. It is next to the Forest Service boat cove south of the marina. all the way along the point which gradually goes from a few feet to 30 to 50 feet with a good cast can produce pup lake trout and rainbows using a 1/4-ounce tube jig tipped with a piece of nightcrawler.
Thanks Don for making this video. I am buying a 2024 1875 Fisherman, picking it up next week in Nebraska. I subscribed to your channel. I am from the Midwest, just retired and moved to Northern Alabama. Is there a way to contact you for more details on your boat setup, like messenger or email etc.? Again thanks for sharing. I have been researching what new batteries to buy for my new boat to get rid of my 5 heavy weight AGM’s. As far as trolling motors go, I contacted Minkota Tech Support today and if you don’t have a new brushless TM and you employ the new Lithium batteries, you cannot exceed 80% power or you will overload and fry the mother board in your older TM.
Also Minkota Chargers 2020 and newer will charge 12V Lithiums batteries. It will not charge batteries greater than 12v.
Sure. Just call me. 801-358-5583
Awesome video! Jeez! Only a 10 pounder!😂
Thanks
Hey great vid! I searched Flaming Gorge lake trout fishing ...and here I am haha. Nice catch seriously - thats expert level right there. I really appreciate your content, you are very knowledgeable on the species and the specifics of the area. I'm new to the area and am planning on Flaming Gorge / Green River being my main fishing destination. I'm ex Northern California Dept of Fish & Game field biology, though I never worked with lake trout, our main areas (Region 2) was the Middle Fork Eel river (Yolla-Bolly Wilderness) summer steelhead runs, and coastal Coho and Steelhead runs mainly out of Ft Bragg. Targeting huge Mackinaw FROM the shore 'surf casting' style, has become somewhat of an obsession haha. I've been studying lake trout for about 20yrs now and developed successful shore fishing techniques that overlap certain variables you mention in the vid so it caught my attention. Spring time water surface temps at 50 or lower is usually a green light for shore casting where they do hit lures (my go to is large Cleo spoons, but plastics,crankbaits if I need plan B or C - they all can work) at surface down to 50-60ft, and often fairly close to the shoreline....casting distance - at least where I did the majority of my Lake Trout fishing which was Cle Elum lake in East Cascades Washington. My largest was 9-10lb area, I'm sure they have monsters there - but the goal is no boat - rod and reel only. If I could get a 30lber from shore...that would be awesome! This July I have the entire month to explore the area so of course studying maps, watching vids.......but to me, Flaming Gorge is like the U.S Crown Jewel fishery for Lake Trout! What I would like to see in future vids is how people can read lake structure to know where to fish a lake for what fish - and where not to. Also since I'm going this July, I have no boat but very able boots and backpack - is there anywhere you know I can camp out (primitive camping) from Red Canyon to the dam that could be good for shore access? I'm really looking for a sloping shoreline area that turns into a steep rocky dropoff, yet accessible to someone with solid 'mountaineering skills'.... its hard on the ankles but I have had good luck in that transition zone. Thanks for the great channel!
I actually do that very thing on most of my videos. All you have to do is find shallow flats that eventually drop off into deeper water. From the shore it is easy if you can cast at least 50 feet off shore. Once again, find shallow flats that go deep. just get up on a hill behind where you want to fish and look at the water. You will see the drop offs. Good Luck!
@@doafish Thanks Don! Hoping to find some good shore casting spots in a couple weeks. I'm going to try looking for spots around Hideout Boat Camp ,then travel lake shore to Carter Creek. I think I can get access there but not sure if its steep or good enough - I havent been there yet, so working from maps until I get there. I'm hoping to have access where Eagle Creek comes in to the reservoir (Red Canyon) but I'm not sure yet how much access to good water I have until I get there. If I get a good one I'll take some vid and share it...Thanks for the tips!
is that a st croix rod ?
Yes. It is at least 25 years old, has had two broken tips but is still one of my favorites.
Awesome! That is precisely how I fish…but you catch way more than I do! I seem to have a hard time catching kokes though. Mostly pups and bows shallower. I dont have the live scope either. Fun video!
Great video, wish I was taking Livescope up this weekend! Ill have it by next season.
That is a great goal to have,
Great film Don. I’m trying to figure out my livescope. It would probably be helpful to go by myself sometime.
Gary, in the film your gift to me was the star. I got that carbon steel net from Scheels. Thank you! And, i just saw you thought about the foot pedal. I will get back to you via text about that. I can help you with your livescope. Just let me know when you are in town again.
@@doafish I will
Great film Don. I’m sitting in A. Hotel in Arkansas wishing I was there.
I hope you are having fun back in the mid-west. Watch out for tornados
What jig do you like to use for Kokanee?
I saw him using the P Line Kokanators last year
I use a lot of different jigs for kokanee. Just check out my other jigging videos. But, the short list is as follows: 1/2 to 3/4 ounce Kokanators by P-LIne, Lakeshore Tackle's version I call the "Coltonator" available online and in town in Manila, Pout Bombs, once again by Christenson's Tackle. This video was NOT about the jigs but rather how to read my finder. But, if you look on my site, I show everyone of the jigs I use. Thanks for watching.
Love the videos, Don!
That's why I do them. That was one of the toughest ones to make because I needed two hands to jig for the fish. And, the wind was something else entirely. I am glad you stuck with it.
Heading up with my family (including 3 fishing obsessed boys) to Manila on Friday for 3 days. Setup for pretty much any species and method. Any general areas from Manila to hit for good fish numbers? We have always camped in the Dutch John area so Manila will be new territory. Thanks for any advice!
Awesome! I was up there the last 3 days too (buckboard). I would love to see a video on how to attempt to distinguish kokes from Lakers or rainbows on your fish finder. The best I can tell so far is that the pups are grouped up around 40-70’ deep and if I see a much tighter group (red cloud on the graph) come in 20-30’ down I think they are kokes but sometimes they end up being bows too🤷♂️. I would love to learn more about this. (We had a hard time getting spot-locked and getting lures down to them before they disappeared until the last day when we sat on a continuous school of small pups and caught like 20 in 4 hours time. No size but fun!)
i will try to put something together. You are not necessarily incorrect with what you are doing BUT the key to it all is catching fish. Simple as that. You catch a fish and you are almost there. Next, you notice which fish respond to your lures and which do not. Most of the time, no bites means they are kokes.
Whose voice?
Mine but with a few allergies. When are you coming fishing with me?
@@doafish Love to go with you. I have no gear for that kind of fishing though.
@@phillipdickson7065 This is my long-lost Cousin correct? You only need yourself and usually a coat and maybe something to eat and I will handle the rest. Just give me a call. 801-358-5583
Great video! Get well!
Thanks. I already feel better.
Subbed! Great video and commentary! Can't wait to actually try this out at some point i'm just so stuck in my ways trolling and im efficient. Once thing I really like though is that Garmin screen compared to my Lowrance. Sure looks cleaner and easier to read. I can't believe how clear they show up. What kind of transducer are you using with that... it looks like you have it mounted on the side? Thanks!
The transducer for LiveScope is an LVS 34. And, yest, I have it mounted on the side of the gunwale of the boat. When I had my bass boat, i had a turret mounted on the side of my trolling motor which allowed me to use a foot pedal to turn the transducer around. So, it is not the best to have it on the side, but I can't think of anything better right now.
what is the big red blob on the screen near the end, are those schools of fish?
Yup fish on the graphics
That was the bottom. I was fishing a shelf coming out from a cliff. The kokes were holding about 10 feet off the shelf.
thanks for another great video! my biggest question is how you find these schools? do you just slow motor around until you find marks and then spot lock?
I simply look around starting in the main channel. i look for "clouds" on the finder.. Many of them are just immature kokanees or even other types of minnows, but THEY will lead me towards the mouths of coves. Then, i slowly move (on my electric trolling motor) towards the back of the cove looking for fish in the same basic depths as the 'clouds" in the main channel. Believe it or not, that's it. Just this year, I have found kokanees in 20 or more coves from Anvil down to Carter Creek.
@@doafish that’s awesome thank you. I’ll be out there in 2 weeks and will try this.
Great video! I’ll be camping at Mustang Ridge in June. Will be fishing Antelope Flats, Linwood Bay and Mustang Ridge area. Are those areas I could try the glidebaits? I have many of the same glide baits you showed in this video
Yes, but as it gets into June, you must use them in the very early morning (just at dawn) until around 9:00 a.m and then again in the late evening between 7:00 pm and dark. I do not know much about the shallow lake trout in the Mustang area, but Antelope and Linwood are great areas to fish glides. Good Luck!!
@@doafish thank you for the advice
Enjoyed your video! A bit more views of close up of fish finder views and training would be nice. Great job as usual,
I will try to do more close ups. The challenge is that I am usually by myself when filming and the one thing I cannot figure out how to do is jig my rod while staying close with the camera on the screen. But, I will do my best to help out.
What speed are you trolling? We are headed up next weekend, can't wait!
1.4 to 1.7 mph
Thanks for another great Educational video.Happy Fishing
Thanks. i hope it helps people. That's my goal.
Lol lund offers track systems...drilling the gunnel is fine. Dont lie to make yer shit seem better
If you know so much why don' you call Lund and talk to them about it? that's what I did. And don't put up with bad language on this site. There are always a few haters around, but I don't lie about the things I post!
@@doafish lund offers tracks from factory....you said "dont drill into gunnels, lund doesnt want that" that is a lie.
@@robnoxious7637 I are you on drugs? The tract system for the Lund Fisherman 1875 is 9.25 inches wide. NO Cannon mount can span across the gunwale (learn to spell), so guys have been running down the lake with their downriggers bouncing around even though they use the track system as do I. Once again, I do NOT lie. I don't need you to go on about something as stupid as this. If you don't like what I did to better secure my downriggers ... don't use them But, you are talking completely out of your head when you think I was Lying about this. CALL LUND before going off on me.
Are you trolling that bait just off the bottom?
No, I am trolling them right on the surface with no dowriggers. The glide baits only go 1.5 feet deep.
What month does it get to warm for the surface glide bait technique?
The end of June most years.
Thanks done appreciate the awesome videos and info
How can you tell what kind of fish you have on the line?
Great question. When I am using my glide baits, I have a 6 to 6-inch lures running about 1.5 feet under the surface of the water. There are only a very few species in the reservoir i fish that can or will eat such a large lure. In Flaming Gorge, lake trout smallmouth bass, and very large cutthroat, brown trout or rainbows would eat that lure. So, when I get a strike I immediately (after setting the hook) make a judgement as to the size of the fish. I treat ALL lake trout (mackinaw) as if they were big fish. But, the other species, I can tell by how easily or difficult they are to reel in their size. And, when I am fishing will my glide baits, I am usually in 35 feet of water or less, so, once again, there are not too many species of fish that are that shallow and are really big besides lake trout.
What lb test are you using?
I use red braid anywhere between 30 and 50-pound test. Most of the time I use 40. Then my leaders are 30-pound-test Vicious Monofilament.
What lb test are you using?
I use red braid, brand not important in 40-pound- test. i have used up to 50 and down to 30. All has worked well. Then, my leader is Vicious Monofilament in 30-pound- test.
Why'd you switch from a fiberglass bass boat to a deep-V aluminum? I've got a hybrid fish 'n ski (Nitro 189 Sport) that I love, but it seems no one makes anything like that anymore so I have to decide between a full bass boat or a full deep-V, and I'd love to hear your opinion.
I think fiberglass boats are fantastic. And, bass boats in general and Triton specifically, are just really good boats. The ONLY reason i am selling the Triton is that my family wants me to take more or our grandchildren fishing at the same time and the Lund will hold at least 6 people while the Triton will only pack four. the deep V after my Triton is like being stuck in hot asphalt. i hate to be that negative about my new boat because it does a lot of things very well. But, I like to be on top of the waves and the triton does that while the Lund Plows through the waves. Both get the job done, but I still prefer smoothly riding the top of the waves.
@@doafish Interesting. That's my thoughts too after riding in my boat vs a friends Targa 19. I feel the fiberglass boats also buck the wind better when you're trying to sit in place with Spotlock. Thanks for the reply, and thanks for all the great fishing videos
Don, when did they change the regulations on the Wyoming side from only 3 of your 4 can be Kokanee. To a blanket 4 in combo. 2023?
You would have to check with Wyoming but it has been at least two years maybe three. Both Utah and Wyoming got on the same page when they made the change.
25 to 45 feet depending on the schools. I don’t guess. I drop down to the top of the schools. Use your finder.
I would get back to Antelope launch ramp area or even State line Bay. Find shallow flats in less than 30 feet of water. The dam area is too complicated for someone new to the reservoir.
7:36 Hi Don! New to Flamming Gorge. Went up early this may but no big lakers. Any suggestions on areas to start for finding some of these bigger lakers? We launched at sheep creek and went over by carter creek the first day then over at the damn the second day. Thanks
Ryan, did you get ma previous response? If you didn't, just ask again and I will respond. I sent you a fairly detailed response but my dashboard didn't pick it up.
@doafish I didn't get it Don.
@@RyanRoberts-iq4kx I would try the area around Antelope launch ramp and in June, you need to be fishing the glide baits in the very early mornings before 9:00 a.m. If you are in Sheep Creek, the area surrounding the turn from Sheep Creek going towards the Red Cliffs (towards the cut through to Lucerne). Also, the same "low light" times in the evening will work in June as well. I will be back home this evening (Sunday June 2) so I will be fishing some this week. if things change i will respond again.
@doafish Thanks for the info Don. Hopefully I can try to get up there soon. Looking forward to more of your videos!
What depths were you targeting
I was targeting wherever the schools of fish were on my finders. they ranged from 25 to 45 feet that day.
I Wow, those are some nice size Kokanee!! I’m gonna order some of those spinners. Try them here in Connecticut. Thanks,Don
Give me a day or so and I will post the link to the Pink Spinner. Colton Christenson will make sure it is on his website but wants to be certain it is the same one as in the video. The other blue one is a different brand but i don't know where they are manufactured.
lakeshoretackle.com/products/dakota-spinners/silver-pink-colorado-spinner/ The link for the pink spinner.
Congratulations on your new boat. It looks like a dandy. I'm going to be in Manela on May 30. Going to try to remove as many pups from the lake as I can.
The pups are biting well. Are you going to be jigging of trolling for the pups?
@doafish I apologize, I didn't see your reply until right now. I'm planning to do a little of both. I'm also going to fish for kokanees. I was on the gorge two years ago, but I fished mostly around Buckboard. Did well with the Kokanees, but not well with the pups. This year, I'm staying in Manila and plan to fish the Utah side... mostly.
@@thomaswallis3504 Thomas, If you plan on fishing around Buckboard, you should be able to find all the pups you want just down lake around the big bend just before Brinegar Crossing. The pups stack up on the drop offs on the cliff side of the reservoir. There is a 60 to 70-foot deep flat that runs for a couple of miles between the cliffs and the center of the channel. That is where the drop offs are. I hope that helps. (Generally between 50 and 90 feet deep)
@doafish I plan to fish on the Utah side of the lake this weekend, I may go to Buckboard, but I probably will just fish the Utah side.
Ok, for pups, work the mouth of the gorge along the rocks. For kokes start at the Red Cliffs.
I'm going to miss watching you toss the Kokanee across the boat into the livewell.
Unfortunately, I am not in my bass boat now so I don't have far to throw on the Lund. But, I still like to toss them from time to time. Thanks for the comment!
Great video. Thank you for sharing!
My pleasure. Let me know when you get into some. They are really healthy this year.
What pound test are you using?
Also what size/weight downrigger ball?
I use 30 to 40-pound braid with 30-pound Vicious monofilament leader. The leader is 5 to 6-feet long. I tie the leader to the braid with a double uni knot.
I hooked up my Garmin live scope to my Ridgid drill batteries. The Garmin will take 18 volts to run it. It works nice and doesn't draw down your main batteries. two 9 amp batteries that will run the system all day. I have 2 9 amp and two 6 amp for backup.
With all the gear upfront reaching over the bow is almost impossible so I bought the "boat to trailer" auto hookup. Life saver 65 and hard to reach over to wench up the boat from the bow.
It is a great tool. I can load and launch as fast as i need to.
Thanks so much Don! You are an amazing instructor!
Thanks. I thank you too for wanting to learn a thing or two.
Do you have a Jack plate on moter mount and where is it located ?
I do not have a jack plate. I never saw the need. This boat goes 70 mph at sea level and 55 to 60 up here at Flaming Gorge. That was always plenty for me even when I was fishing tournaments.
Ok, Where do you live ? I am rom Northern Utah !
@@austinpaul2170 Austin, I live in Manila Utah at Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Two hours from Ogden. [email protected] for directions
Good day Don.
Gary, thanks. let me know how you guys did this week.
Awesome video as always Don! I’ve been keeping a few lake trout lately, and I would love to hear how you like to cook them Thanks!
I have filmed a couple of videos about cooking lake trout pups. It is very simple: Filet them leaving the skins on but taking out the rib bones. Then, put them skin down on a sheet of tin foil and season the filets like you would normally do fish. Lemon Pepper, steak or fish seasoning. I like Allspaughs but you have to find it online now. Then put the foil and fish on a barbeque for 10 minutes. Don't cover the fish. When you see the white fat coming to the top, it is ready to eat.
Thanks Don!
@@breegangillies5292 My pleasure.
How much are you asking
The price is $21,900 but I am willing to entertain offers.
@doafish well buddy it's a damn look looking boat and I wish I could get it I love your content... very helpful 👌
@@307wyo-outdoors3 If you are serious about the boat, let's at least talk about it. It has been my baby ... for a long time.
@doafish I definitely would not mind looking at it I'm in rocksprings so not that far away
@@307wyo-outdoors3 just let me know when you can come over. i will be tied up for the next two days with grandchildren's graduations but i will be here for the weekend.
Don, It's a bummer your talking down about your local dealership. This boat was spec'd to the original owners wants/needs. As a used boat we all change and make upgrades to our boats and don't forget. COST plays a large role in how all boats are optioned. Otherwise we would all have the latest and greatest top of the line units. I'd recommend stopping in sometime, we can upgrade you to the new Quest series Minnkota Ulterra and get you more efficiency power out of your lithium batteries. Be careful also, your lithium batteries will hurt that Minnkota's motor if run at to high of a speed for too long.
If you actually watched the video you may have noticed that I said several times that Roger;s Marine was a good company that simply didn’t seem to understand how to rig the LUND 1875 FISHERMAN for Flaming Gorge Reservoir.. According to the previous owner of the boat, four Identical boats in different colors were sold brand new in my little town. At least two of the four had enough money to order what they wanted. I cut the company some slack because the FISHERMAN series has only been available for three years now, My intent was to tell the story of what I needed to do to make this boat work in big water, nothing more. If done from the factory, the 36-volt system and the upgrade in shaft and thrust would have been around a thousand dollars (according to dealers near the Great. Lakes). I had direct contact with one of Roger’s Marine stores and when I explained what I wanted the manager (Bailey) said the following: 1. 60 inch shafts are plenty for that boat. 2. 80-pound thrusts are fine because we NEVER recommend people troll with their electric trolling motors. It became obvious to me that he didn’t realize that the vast majority of fishing boats on Flaming Gorge use electric trolling motors to troll for Kokanee and even for giant lake trout. And, in a 15-mph wind they can’t stay on spot lock with that short of shaft and lack of power. I now understand that they are beginning to understand the problem and at least two of my viewers have since purchased LUNDS from Roger’s and they were happy to have them rigged the way I wanted. As for the Quest, I believe that will be a great solution for people in the future. I am NOT an early adopter when it comes to trolling motors. I have owned five trolling motors when they first came out (within 3 years of their debuts). And without exception, I had warranty issues with all five (Motorguide and Minn Kota). Once the bugs were worked out I have LOVED my two MInn Kota Ultrex motors. And, I love the Ulterra on the boat now. But, certainly, when my Elite Series and MLF friends tell me it’s time for an upgrade, I will be ready for the Quest. I do appreciate your comment however, if you were the only LUND dealer in Utah and Wyoming, I do believe you need to be acutely aware of where your boats will be used and you should know how to rig them to be the best they can be. I like Roger’s Marine and I recommend people to them every week.
Great video.