Had a chance to get out with two good friends yesterday and fish the OG1s on Potholes Reservoir in eastern Washington state.

The day started slow. Two downriggers with flashers and a variety of OG1s, one rod running a long line with a 1/2 ounce trolling weight and an OG1. We had one brief hit off of Medicare beach (where we started). But, it was dead after this.

Towards evening, moved north to the dunes, trolling east/west in 20 to 30 feet of water. (Removed the flashers and fished the lures solo, near the surface, with 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce trolling weight and the stock leaders.) Had a serious take-down on the center rod that was trolling a 1.8" fluoro pink OG1 behind 1/2 ounce of lead. This brought our biggest 'bow to date to the net. (Measured 22 inches.)
Not long after this, we had an even stronger takedown on the 1.8" fluoro green/pink-tail OG1. But, the drag was set a little too tight and the fish snapped the leader after turning on the surface and running away from the boat.
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What started as a generally slow day finished well with one fish to the boat and another getting away.

 I was checking email this morning when the following report showed up from Peter Naab:

"I was up on Lake Chelan for 3 days recently and caught 75 nice Kokanee. 70 of them were caught on Old Goat......."

This definitely got my attention: so, I asked for a more complete report. Here it is (Peter included pictures as well):

"Fishing the OG1 in pink, and, orange behind a dodger (type of dodger did not matter) trolling off a downrigger at 190’, .9-1.4 MPH.

70 of 75 Kokanee were caught on the OG1.

The funny thing about it! I removed the treble hook and rigged my own not knowing I rigged them incorrectly with the leader coming out the top and not the bottom. The Kokanee still pounded it hard.
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I’m excited to try them on Chinook, Walleye and Sockeye."

Peter: Great report!! We absolutely appreciate your putting the OG1s to work there on Chelan! (I'm going to have to give your new rigging a try...)

Every March fishermen hit the water out of Homer, Alaska for one day to compete in a winter king-salmon tournament.

One of our customers, Aaron Olmsted of Olmsted Outdoors, competed in the derby with a few OG2s yesterday. His report, and attached pictures, below:

"We were fishing in Kachemak Bay. We were fishing in 60 feet of water down rigger was set at 40. We were running the leader length that you provided with your lure, the flasher was white with the silver reflective on it."

Aaron: Thanks for taking the time to put the OG2s to work up there. We absolutely appreciate it!!

Received the below report and photos from Nolan Thom and his daughter:

"Hi Donn,
Well, with the help of my older daughter and wife got the pics up.  Wish we coulda spent at least 2 days there but had to make the most of one day.(Work and school on Monday)  Up at 0330, get there 0645, lines in at 0815 and fish on at 0905.  One bite all day and one GOOD fish.  Surface temp between 42 and 44 degrees a bit cold and certainly wasn't expecting to limit but the reason we drive 3hrs is for quality fish not "put-n-keep" planters. 

A little story to go along with this....Growing up in Hawaii, a few of my fishing buddies there and I have an unofficial tradition of releasing the first fish we catch for good luck on any outing.  I asked my daughter as soon as the lines went out, "Bear"(her name is Kayley 13yo) should we release the first fish?"  She pauses and says "It depends." (LOL)  With the temp on the colder side, the hit was not a big SLAM take down so it didn't double the rod or put up an extraordinary fight.  You could tell it was a very decent fish but we had no idea until it surfaced.  When it flashed it's silver, my daughter says, "We're keeping this one.  You can let the next one go."  Had to chuckle.

Only one fish, but an unforgettable trip for a proud father and as old fishing show host of Walker's Cay Chronicles Flip Pallot says, "Come with me on a trip into angling adventure where we'll ride the ragged edge where the fish are big and wild. We'll travel to the ends of the earth to the loneliest oceans and the farthest rivers. We'll pit the smallest lures and the lightest rods against the toughest fish and we'll burn the stories into the memory of film."  I love to eat fish, but really this is what it's all about to me.  It's the memories that I pray my daughters will keep with them when they look at these pics.

Gear....8'6" Berkley AIR IM8 salmon/steelhead rods(models discontinued a while ago, but first time using these brand new rods)
           Shimano Cardiff 101a
           15lb powerpro braid
            homemade smile blade flasher 4ft with 4 blades and last but certainly not least
            OG1 1.8 inch orange Old Goat Lure.

Donn, thanks so much for making these lures.  Love your story and wish you much success. Maybe we'll see ya out there at Potholes some time.  There many more lakes between there and Idaho I would like to fish some time too.  Roosevelt, Summit in Colville, Rock, etc. So many lakes, not enough time.  Usually around June to August I'm on the Pacific chasing bottomfish, salmon or tuna.  I also see you have some tuna lures.  Thanks so much Donn and I will check for the other 1.8 pink/green next week.

Much Aloha, take care and God Bless,
Nolan"

Nolan: That is one awesome report! (It made our day!!)

One of our customers, Glenn Singer, just submitted the following report of success in the Puget Sound fishing for the Blackmouth:

"I was fishing area 9 just north of Kingston in about 70-80 feet of water...Just got these a week ago and they're already getting it done thanks for the good product."

Glenn was fishing the 2.8" OG2 in blue/black-scales. Below are a couple of photos that Glenn took of his fish: