Trolling for fish

[kmclemore]

Nice job, Chinook! I see PhotoBucket worked out for you just fine!

Now just add a carrier-return (enter key) after that last line ("portage system.") and before the pictures... then it will look great! (just use the 'edit' button to make the changes).

[Frank C]

.... very remote, where you have to portage your boat across an isthmus, using their handcar rail portage system.

You jest ....
surely, you jest!

[Chinook]

Thanks for the tip. That helps the spacing. Any suggestions for creating spacing between the photos? I tried the space bar between the two photo image codes, but in the preview, the second picture disappeared. I'm really getting fussy now.

[Chinook]

This place is the real deal. About 500 miles north of the border, interior BC, on the east side of the coastal mountains. We trailered up to Prince George, turned west toward Prince Rupert, then south to Burns Lake, BC. Ootsa Lake is near there, and the start of the cruise. It's a huge lake, now impounded by a dam, and nearly 100 miles long. The Canadians were in a hurry when they built the dam, and didn't bother logging the shoreline, so it's a very hazardous drowned forest.

We motored uplake about 35 miles to the portage, which is about 1/3 mile in length, and about 30 feet above lake level at the high point. Crossing into Eutsuk Lake is done via the hand car portage. They've built a narrow guage rail line between the two lakes, with rails extending out into the water at both ends. Conventional floating docks are positioned alongside the submerged rails. They've got a flatbed trailer on rail wheels, with a riser and brake lever on the dock side of the trailer. The parks guy runs the trailer out into the lake while standing on the little brakeman's platform, and you slide your boat over the platform. You then have the option of handcranking your boat out of the water and up the grade, at a rate of 21 cranks per foot, or paying the concensionaire $50 each way. He then hooks a cable to the trailer and pulls you across with his 6 wheeler ATV. First method takes about 5 hours, second takes about 15 minutes. I'm cheap, and sometimes cranky, but this choice was easy. It's really cool seeing a fully rigged Mac cruising through the forest between lakes.

Eutsuk Lake is a natural lake, about 35 miles long, with three major side arms that go way back into the mountains. Beautiful area, and we only saw 2 other private boats during the 12 days we spent there. And for those of you who are tired of being the smallest boat on the water, cruising Eutsuk Lake assures you of being like the Queen Mary. At 26 feet, the Mac is just about the biggest boat they can haul on their 12 foot trailer.

I'll do some digging, and try to post some pics with my new found skill.

[kmclemore]

Thanks for the tip. That helps the spacing. Any suggestions for creating spacing between the photos? I tried the space bar between the two photo image codes, but in the preview, the second picture disappeared. I'm really getting fussy now.

Well, as for the spacing, this forum's editor will only allow one space - it strips out any extra ones. So, right after the first image's [/img] code, but before the next image's

[beene]

Hi

I took these hoodlums out for the day. With my 7.5 on the back, it was able to maintain a perfect trolling speed to give them the right "action" from their lures. They were able to catch about 55 fish in 6 hours trolling back and forth along the shelf. There is drop from about 15 to 55 feet where the fish always hang out on our lake.


G

[Chinook]

Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a try on these pics of Chinook going for a ride on the rails.

[cuisto]

I got the smallest size Scotty downrigger (don't recall the model #). It's a hand crank version, and carries 200 feet of cable. I installed the mounting plate on the starbard side, just forward of the stern railing. I had to install one of those screw in access plates in the side of the cockpit, just below the plate, so I could gain access for through bolting, with fender washers for backing strength. I use a 10 lb lead ball, and set the rod in a Perko rod holder, mounted to the stern rail stanchion. It's tight back there, with just enough room to operate the cable crank handle, but it works fine.

Tahoe Jack,
I believe that Chinook has one size up from the smallest. The smallest Scotty is a clamp on model for canoes or row boats and can oly handle 5lb ball.

I had a pair of the size he mentions on an older boat and they worked well but the spool is small, aprox 1 foot of lift per turn, I later got another size up, about the same dimentions but 2ft per crank. With 150ft of cable down and 10lb weight on the end the bigger spool makes a huge difference. Will try to post a pic of my current set up later today. I have electric Walker riggers now.

[Chinook]

Now that you mention it, I believe you're right. I do recall that clamp on version. The larger spool would be handy, especially after the fishing line accidentally releases from the downrigger clip.

[NiceAft]

Chinook,

First off, congratulations on the picts you posted.

Second, I remember your post last year when you spoke of your trip. An envious vacation.


Ray

[Mikebe]

Now that man he likes to fish. Haulin' his boat across the countryside on a railroad track.

I been thank'n 'bout put'n a big hook on one 'o them down rigger thangs, an a chicken or two, an see what happen's.

When figur out how to git t fish on tha boat, I'll let ya'll know....

[Tahoe Jack]

Thanks for the collective tips! Local dealer has a model 1060 that has the same base Chinook is using. They also have a 30" model with larger tube diameter and reel ....the problem is that it may not allow cranking radius in the location Chinook uses....re the mounts....looks like they have several...including the U-shape with gunnel clamp...but the downrigger is either a 24" small tube or 30" larger tube/reel...both oddly are said to be 200'line capacity. Will report more when they get the smaller one in stock...just looked at display model. Jack

[Tahoe Jack]

I scored a Scotty 1085 Strongarm 30" downrigger today. It has a large 9"dia reel loaded with 200' steel line, but manual says it will hold 300'. The large dia reel should pull the line in quicker than the model 1060 and more line will work better in Tahoe/Powell. The base has a tilt feature, however, I like Chinook's starboard aft stanchion location and it can't tilt because it is obstructed by the railing. There is a single hinge bolt with a thumb head...pulling this releases the whole unit except for the small base which is permanently bolted to your gunnel. For sure, with this leverage, we will put a 1/4" aluminum plate inside the hull. The boom or tube on the 1085 is also larger...11/4"dia. I may shorten it from 30" to 24" (simple tube cut) to reduce leverage force on hull and make it easier to store. FYI, there is a model 1080 that has the large reel and a 24"x1"tube, but not available locally. I paid $190US at Sportsmans Warehouse (a western chain). If you plan on using a downrigger at 150-200' max, I would go with Chinook's model 1060...lighter and smaller to stow. Jack

[Frank C]

Jack,

Be sure you keep the hatches tightly sealed when dragging that thing. Then when Lake Tahoe's version of "deep-Nessie" bites and pulls the stern under, Roger's positive flotation will completely tucker him out. You'll be able to drag him into Emerald Bay with your having taken no more than just a 'cold bath.'




I think Mark Chamberlain once pictured a Halibut so large that they couldn't hoist it into Mac's cockpit.

[Tahoe Jack]

Hey Frank....I should be so lucky. Actually, large fish have proven quite safe from my endeavors. The mackinaw at Tahoe do hang out deep.... for a true blue fisherman....the sudden surfacing usually kills or at least takes the fight out of them...good eating however in any case. Re Lake Powell....I'm no expert there, however, temps control behavior...last Sept-Oct they were hanging 80-250' and I had to settle for some fantastic bass catches from my kayak. Hoping you join DeLevi for the Farallons....that should be an entertaining report...am assuming that you do report back. Maybe Sprint or Verizon PCmIA from the scene? With the right weather and tides, it is doable in my opinion. Jack