Kenney!

That is a very cool catch! Especially thru the ice. Congrats!

bron

Thanks Bron! Fun way to beat the skunk!! Hoping to fish that river in a few weeks for some bigger ones :D

Man, fishing can be so humbling! I just recently had my worst stretch of fly fishing over the last week or two. Went out 3 different times (Dream Stream, 11 Mile, and Deckers) and just couldn't get much of anything going. I started doubting my abilities even, and each trip was more and more frustrating. I'm sure it's teaching me something in the end ... but what a painful dam lesson!! I decided to get away from the South Platte, and opted to visit the Eagle on my last trip and that thankfully was much more productive. Hang in there ... Spring is right around the corner and those fish are bout to get real active!!

Very nice. I used to fish the White just a couple miles upstream from Meeker in the winter and we would absolutely slay the whitefish, often up to the 18 inch mark. I have heard rumors of nice perch from Kenney - any truth to that?
Thanks for sharing all you trips - I do not get out near as much as I used to, so it is fun to fish vicariously through your videos and stories.

whatmylenssees

It really can be, i'm glad to be looking at gorgeous scenery at least while that's happening haha. I think Western Colorado is really pretty too, just doesn't get any recognition compared to the higher peaks. That's crazy to hear you had that long of a streak going, wish I knew how to fly fish so I could help out with some pointers of some kind. Glad you found some success though Dan on the last trip, I saw that you uploaded, I'll be sure to check it out tonight and comment! Yes indeed, we're all so very excited for it over here! We did a river episode ourselves recently, uploading it tomorrow...you'll have to try the waters around Glenwood man, i think you'll love it. That is where our video upload is based for tomorrow...Always see fly fisherman out, they just don't like to talk to me lol.

Wmdunker

We are actually going to do an episode on White River in the next few weeks...We've been told the whitefish are good to eat, going to attempt to do a catch and cook with them. My buddy works for CPW up in that area and said there's state record whitefish all over that river. How hard do they fight when they're that big? Also, what do you typically use to catch them in the river? Trout stuff? I have fished Kenney probably 10ish times in the last 2 years and have never caught a perch there. I do the two tournaments there too and have never seen a perch caught by anyone. Just LOTS of black crappie and seen a few decent bluegills pulled out of there too. I'm happy to share my fishing adventures with you and anyone willing to listen/watch/read, glad you enjoy them!!

The big whitefish fight very hard, but rarely break the surface. They pull down and try to stay deep like a catfish. They have a very fine delicate white meat and if I remember right a lot of folks used to either smoke or can them, but then that might have been because they would catch a whole gunny sack full at a time. We used to screen yellow stone fly nymphs from the shallow riffles and use them for bait on a number 8 or 10 bait hook drifted through the deeper pools You can also catch them readily by deep drifting nymph patterns. Worms work as well. I have never caught one on a lure, but that is not to say that you can't. They are a little soft mouthed at times and I remember losing quite a few of the bigger ones right at the bank. Good luck!

Whitefish are easy to catch with small, flashy nymphs fished in deeper, slower water than where you tend to find trout. Prince nymphs, pheasant tails, etc.

They fight ok. A 20+ inch whitey will give you a good long fight, but they don't usually go on big runs. Keep the tension on and they tire relatively easily. No need to use small tippet with whiteys, we catch plenty on 3x in Idaho, 4x if your fly is under sz 16.

Mountain whitefish are only ok to eat in my opinion. Kill, bleed, and put on ice immediately, otherwise they get really mushy. Most people who say whitefish are tasty are usually referring to the lake whitefish (different species) native to the Great Lakes region. My experience with mountain whitefish has not been quite so positive, but they still eat pretty well so long as you take care of the meat. Beer battered and fried is good, and is my favorite because a lot of oil and the right batter can make up for a sub-par fish. Smoked is ok, just don't expect it to taste anything like smoked trout or salmon. A brine or buttermilk soak before any cooking is a good idea.

Good luck.

Wmdunker

Thank you for the plethora of information! I need to learn how to fly fish soon this summer I plan on learning some. Hopefully we can catch some and make the episode! Thanks man!!!

brookieflyfisher

Thank you for the information! Sounds like fly fishing is my best bet to get them. A lot of people that told me to eat them are Colorado Natives and said they taste pretty good...Also have had a small handful say they don't taste that great...Like you touched on, maybe it's a preparation issue. Hopefully I can get up there to White River and get into some to try out for myself soon. Appreciate the knowledge shared!!