Strawberry vs Jordanelle?

[Paddler]

A buddy wants to go up tp Strawberry sometime next week.  I don't like American Leisure's management of the place, and it's twice as far for me.  Haven't seen many reports from there, either.  Does the fishing, and particularly the fish size, warrant driving right by Jordanelle?

[stan55]

Fished both several times in the last few weeks. Hands down Jordanelle is the better choice. Koke size has been running 15 to 19 inches on Nelle. 30-to-40-foot depths. Kokes are starting to turn pink.

[Kent]

What species are you targeting?

[lovetofish]

I fished Jordanelle with Milldog Thursday. We boated 3 Kokes and lost one at the boat. It was pretty slow and it was the same for all other boats around us. Just one of those days when the fish don't cooperate.

[Paddler]

I fished Jordanelle with Milldog Thursday. We boated 3 Kokes and lost one at the boat. It was pretty slow and it was the same for all other boats around us. Just one of those days when the fish don't cooperate.

I skipped Thursday because of the wind forecast, but went up yesterday.  Lines in at 7:25, finished up at 9:15.  Released one small one but kept a limit from 17"-20".  They really are pinking up, especially the bigger ones.  Just wondering if Strawberry is producing fish over 20".  If not I'll stick with Jordanelle.

I'm currently without an autopilot, and boy do I miss it.  My old cable steer AP doesn't work with my new Simrad NSS12 evo3S, so I'm in the process of switching to hydraulic steering.  Don't really want to tear my boat apart till the koke fishing slows down.

[Mildog]

The few recent reports I’ve heard from the Berry is very hot and cold, one day good then a tough day, a few better fish up to maybe 21 but overall not much bigger then Jordy, not sure I’d drive the extra distance?

[Paddler]

The few recent reports I’ve heard from the Berry is very hot and cold, one day good then a tough day, a few better fish up to maybe 21 but overall not much bigger then Jordy, not sure I’d drive the extra distance?

Thanks, Patrick.  I've caught a few 20" fish at Jordanelle, but only a few.  Never more than one on any given trip.  Mostly 16"-18", and 16" much more frequently than 18".  

Back in 2021 I caught a 4 fish limit at Strawberry that weighed just under 11#.  I guess that's not happening now.