Have you been to this site Skaha:
http://www.fishwithgary.com/kokaneeuniversity.html
I play around with my own lures and fasher, dodger, gang trolls combos. Have some time off next week to try out some of them.
-- I have been using Gary's gear for a couple of years... he's changed some to the smaller dodgers to an S-curve blade rather than the sling blade that he still uses on his largest.
--The sling blades work very well especially at low speed... they look like a tired released fish swimming away and the trailing lure behind... action adjusted by how close it is to the sling blade...
- I agree with many of his general concepts for colour use and matching lures.. the bonus for tackle suppliers is the variety of rigs that work for kokanee depending on how you want to fish them and what size you target... everything from downrigger, electronic, temp gauges to willow leaf and worm... jigging and even fly fishing.
--some are content to use same rig all the time others like to break the bank on gear... lots of choice
--For those who choose there are several high pay out derby's in USA.. that's where the super secret gear gets developed, proved and copied for the masses.
--at the end of the day you will see familiar names at or near the top of the roster.
--think of it, even guiding on woods lk day in day out having to produce... for most of us we go there and either limit with good size fish in a Short while or write the day off as a bad day... the pressure comes from having to produce on each trip out.
--I tend to view it as fun not pressure but haven't been out much this season... not the weather just .. waiting for a part for my kicker.