Lake Chelan

Lake Chelan Chinook, Lake Trout and Kokanee

Show#:	3001
Host:	Trey Carskadon
Guide:	Rick Graybill www.rgraybill.com Accommodations: Campbell's Resort, located in the town of Chelan, is a first class destination resort that is situated right on the lake, and features a full compliment of restaurants, swimming pool, and lounging areas. Call (800) 553-8225 for reservations, or check out their website at www.campbellsresort.com
Phone:	(509) 682-4294
Location:	Lake Chelan lies 45 minutes N.E. of the Central Washington city of Wenatchee. About 55 miles long and over 1,500 feet deep, Lake Chelan is the third deepest lake in North America.
Species:	Chinook, Lake Trout, and Kokanee
Equipment:	Rod: 9' to 10' South Bend casting rod with a line weight rating of 6 to 10 lbs. Specialized downrigger rods will work, but the rod has to be soft. Reel: Shimano Bantam 50 levelwind reel. Line: 20 lb. "spectra fiber" main line (250 to 300 yards) with 100' of 15 lb. monofilament (Trilene Tournament Strength) to the lure. Tackle: Hotspot flasher, 28" to 32" of 15 lb. leader, a customized hootchie rig that is tipped with a small herring fillet (strip bait). Tackle: Hotspot flasher, 28" to 32" of 15 lb. leader, a customized hootchie rig that is tipped with a small herring fillet (strip bait).
Tips:	This fertile body of water is home to an immense population of mysis shrimp, which act as the food base for the lake. Chelan's lake trout and landlocked Chinook follow the shrimp up and down the water column, depending on light conditions. Most of the aggressive feeding occurs at the bottom of this cold, clear lake. Pro Guide, Rick Graybill has innovated a number of specialized and very effective deep water trolling techniques for catching these species. During our trip to Chelan, the Chinook were a little timid, making hookups difficult, but the lake trout and kokanee were plentiful. Lake trout and Chinook are well represented with fish running in excess of 20 lbs, and a strong average range of 6 to 10 lbs. The lake also supports an enormous population of kokanee. The season for the Chinook and lake trout is year round, while the kokanee fishing is best from late spring to late summer. Your single best means of learning this lake is to book a trip with Rick. If you want to try it on your own, you would be well advised to get a copy of his book, "Graybill's Guide to Lake Chelan." This well written guide reveals all of the secrets and tips that have taken Rick over a decade to perfect. There are a number of important fine points, essential to his success, that Rick details. The television show does an excellent job of running those elements down; however, you would be well advised to get Rick's book that show the riggings we used on the show, as well as several others that were very effective in catching Lake Chelan lake trout, Chinook, and kokanee