News and Updates | Illumi Knotty Tackle

News & Fishing Updates

June 2026

May 2026

April 2026

August 2025-March 2026

July 2025

June 2026: Illumi-Knotty Tackle Grows, Kokanee bite heats up for New Melones, Don Pedro, Shasta, and Berryessa

June is here and how fast it happened. May was hit and miss all over the board with the weather being as unpredictable as ever across the Northern California and the PNW. Still, plenty of fishing action happened, with Berryessa, New Melones, and Shasta heating up to be the the areas premier locations for Kokanee fishing this season. Have to say, it's been really interesting to see the size, and beauty of these fish, they are very healthy. New Melones also is having a tournament in two days. https://kokaneepower.org/derbies/20260606.pdf
There is a link to the flyer if you still want to get in on the action.
Next months derby is at Don Pedro July 11th https://kokaneepower.org/derbies/20260711.pdf
Don Pedro is another Kokanee fishery that is very impressive.

For those Northern CA. people - I would focus on these above mentioned lakes for Kokanee this year, you may not produce crazy numbers, but you'll go home with more than edible table fare.
The Super Tube Hoochies have been released, and are out in the wild making Kokanee Dinners in many American homes. The latest deluxe versions have been posted today. A few folks have commented on the price like these are expensive. They are not expensive. With the cost of materials, fees, shipping, and taxes, I'd say these are very reasonably priced in comparison to other hand tied trolling flies. If anything, and now that I know, price-wise its a very good deal for a lure you can re-rig for all eternity. Don't be afraid to get some this year, Summer is coming!

I'm doing my best to get things re-stocked. I have custom orders on pause at the moment as a result. If you have any questions you may still reach out directly. illumiknottytackle@gmail.com

There will be some new additions to the store page including VMC hooks, Glow Beads, some glowing spinning blades, clevis, ect...all for your re-rigging pleasure.

Thank you all for the recent orders, and Welcome to the Illumi-Knotty Tackle Family, go catch some fish!

Illumi-Knotty Tackle LLC and Website is now official! Bullards Bar & Kokanee Power Tournament news

The Super Tube Hoochie is born!

Througth a custom request and some thinking, tinkering, innovating, and some testing. I came up with a cool little diamond super tube hoochie design. This little hoochie tested really well. Could not keep the fish off of it. It was like easy jigging because I was picking them up while letting the line down every time I was passing over them.. These little Super Tube Hoochies are tough too and will last the season. Surly these will collect limits wherever they hit the water. Please allow me to share with you this great catching lure and improve your day on the water, or give you an advantage in your next derby.

Try one, I'm sure you'll agree, then you'll be calling to have me make more.

Illumi-Knotty Tackle LLC is proud to announce our participation with the most popular Kokanee FB Page "Kokanee...Nothing but Kokanee". We're coordinating a giveaway with them to be posted soon! Then shortly after that Illumi-Knotty Tackle LLC will be doing another giveaway through our Facebook Page, So please keep a look out on Facebook to stay engaged so you don't miss out!

Kokanee Power is hosting its annual SHASTA LAKE Tournament on May 2nd & 3rd for another two day fish filled event. Get out there and get some! Here's the link if you want to sign up.

Bullards Bar Kokanee Power Tournament: The winner had a total bag limit of 1.17lbs - Wow! What the heck is going on at Bullards Bar a lot of people are wondering. I've been doing some asking around and the best answer yet is that there are too many fish. Too many little fish. With the recent introduction of Land-Locked King Salmon (Chinook), the hope is that they will cull the heard and make for better, bigger Kokanee fish population. So now is the time to step up your King Salmon game and make it a multi-species catching day.

Illumi-Knotty: Launches New Website, Collins Lake update

Illumi-Knotty Tackle is officially doing business apart from eBay and on our own now. We must be doing something right because the Copy-Cats are on the loose! I've seen two different knock-off copies of two different styles of our products, even using the same price point. There is only one Illumi-Knotty Tackle LLC, and our products can't be copied, not well anyway.

What you won't get from any of these other "copy-cat" companies - Piece of mind. Knowing that the quality and consistency is a top priority at Illumi-Knotty Tackle LLC. Our knots are dependable and stay knotted. One reason for this I will share with you, is that all my knots are secured with Loon UV Knot Sense. Ensuring the stability, and appearance the fly outlasts the hooks themselves. Not only this, but almost every lure I make includes awesome color, visible reflection, U.V. reflection, and the ability to light the lure up and make it glow before you send it down!

The plan is to keep this area updated with the latest local fishing information, news, and updates that are happening with Illumi-Knotty Tackle LLC.

Local Lakes update:
Collins Lake - Collins has dumped THREE individual Trout plants with Trophy sized fish for the taking, including Rainbows and the sought after Lightning Trout. Nine thousand fish have been planted in March and April, plenty of fishing to do at Collins including Bass, Bluegill, and Crappies too. Get some.

Illumi-Knotty Tackle on eBay, emerges onto the Kokanee and Trout scene.

While ebay was a good start, they have too many fees and eventually lead us to host our own website, www.illumiknottytackle.com. During the first 6 months of this venture selling on ebay, Illumi-Knotty Tackle sold over 300 flies and assortments. I met and engaged with many American Anglers in 12 of America's beautiful 50 States. Through this experience I was inspired and equally humbled by the positive messages from my customers to keep this all afloat.

Thank you all for your support!

Illumi-Knotty Tackle is born

I started making my own Kokanee lures shortly after starting to fish for Kokanee almost 10 years ago. I did this to save money at first, then a few short years later I placed 8th at a local Kokanee Power Tournament competing against 70-some boats using all of my own crafted Kokanee trolling lures.

I started giving lures to people I met at lakes, docks, and on the water. Then kept fishing, proving each lure, and eventually helping narrow down to some main categories that now exist in the Illumi-Knotty Tackle LLC catalog, including Face flies, Diamond Flies, and Tube flies. A lot of man hours fishing for Kokanee, Trout, and behind the vise have taken place in-order to make these trolling flies available and as deadly as they are. Tim is now the official 1st Pro-Staff since the beginning of 2026. The IKT pro-staffer is YouTube PNW Angler - Lake Hopper. Lake hopper brings many years experience to the table and insights on catching many types of fish.

All of Illumi-Knotty Tackle trolling flies are tied with Seaguar 15 lb line, and Eagle Claw hooks, unless otherwise requested through a custom order. If your looking for other hooks, or want you fly rigged with a spinner - I can accommodate. Using Size 4 or Size 2, Gamakatsu, VMC tripple barb, or Mustad Octopus Hooks, and genuine Gold, Silver, Nickle, or Brass spinning blades of many sizes and styles to choose from. Just ask and I will let you know how I can accommodate your custom order.

Thank you!