Kokanee fishing on Lake Chelan has been the best in history, and the exciting spring salmon fishery will be underway when Town Ford offers its next free fishing seminar. Area experts will share their secrets to success on catching kokanee and spring salmon at the dealership in East Wenatchee on Thursday, May 23rd, beginning at 6 p.m.

Bobbie Loomis, of Macks Lure, will talk about tackle and techniques for catching kokanee at Lake Chelan and other lakes in the region. Loomis is a kokanee fishing fanatic and fished for them throughout the western region. What kind of rods and reels to use and what to put on the business end will all be covered in his presentation.

Shane Magnuson, Upper Columbia Guide Service, has been fishing for spring salmon on the Icicle since he was big enough to hold a rod. He will explain in a step by step approach how to rig for spring salmon on the Icicle.

Dave Graybill, the FishingMagician, will host the event. There will be light refreshments provided by Town Ford and there will be drawings for door prizes.

For more information contact Town Ford in East Wenatchee at 509-663-2111.

Monday, May 6

Kokanee fishing is still very good at Lake Chelan, but you may have to look in different areas to find them. I got a note, with photos to prove it, that fishing near the Yacht Club is very good right now.

Eric Granstrom, my fishing side kick and video producer, got a bunch here recently, and they ran from 14 ? to 18 ? inches.

I have also heard that the area near the Monument on Chelan is also producing good catches. There are still fish further down the lake, in the lower basin, but I would advise anglers to be willing to pull up their gear and do some hunting if the bite fails.

Granstrom also was fishing late in the day. I have always tried to be on the water as early as possible.

There is often a good early bite, and then a lull in the action that can start as early 10 a.m. If that occurs when I am out next time I will run up lake and try different spots rather than troll and wait for the bite to improve.

Granstrom was fishing 40 to 60 feet deep at the Yacht Club and using the R & K hoochies baited with a mix of white and purple stained corn.

Wednesday, May 8

Jumbo kokanee are still being caught in good numbers on Lake Chelan, but the early birds are having the best success.

I tried my luck on Chelan recently and although I was on the water before eight o'clock the hot morning bite was long over.

I ran from Mill Bay to below the Monument on the other side and found that the anglers that had been there since day break had several fish in their coolers. They were trying hard for each fish after that. We missed a couple of bites here then ran up to the Yacht Club.

We put a couple of big ones in the cooler here, but the bite just wasn't fast enough for me. We headed down to the Blue Roofs and did find many fish.

We tried off Mill Bay without success, and then ran back over to where we started the day.

When we finally threw it in we still just had the two fish we got at the Yacht Club in the cooler.

I am not discouraged though. The great kokanee fishing is far from over on Chelan.