Lakers?

[ken999]

Anyone have a tips or techniques for Lakers out of a canoe with flygear? I've got full sink line for trolling and some streamers...any advice on special patterns, depths, slow, fast...etc.?

Thanks...

[Creekwader]

Nothing really special Ken, just put out a streamer on a full sink line and paddle around. I usually paddle at a consistent rate; not brook trout slow but not exhausting fast either. Any of your classic streamer patterns will work. I like orange and white but don't be afraid to use predominantly black.

[Gray Ghost]

Frustration with Lakers

Creekwader, maybe you could help me with this. I can't believe it. I got totally skunked at a place teeming with lakers over the weekend. I trolled around with a sinking fly line, flouro leader and streamer, to no avail. I then tried lead core line with leader and streamer, but still had no luck. Finally I tried lead core, followed by a 20' leader, xmas tree, and then a small leader and a streamer. Nothing! I changed streamer colors too, from regular GG, to red GG, and orange and white. When I put the leader before the xmas tree, I discovered the streamer and streamer leader was twisting. I don't know if this was due to the leader between the lead core and the xmas tree, or the fact that it was a tandem trolling streamer and the weight of the fly itself caused the twisting.

If anyone can follow me in this post, I would appreciate some feedback. Last year I had luck at this same location with lead core, then xmas, followed by leader and streamer. There was no leader between the lead core and xmas tree, but I read that using a leader prevents spooking so I thought it was a good idea. I think I'll try the old rig next time. Again, tips are greatly appreciated! -GG

[Nessmuk]

Lakers

As far as I can tell, the lakers have headed back to deep water (according to my fish finder, it has them back down to 25-30' of water)). I fish this nice little lake full of lakers and have the best luck when there is a smelt run on, which ended a few weeks ago. They tend to forage in the shallows at this time and are easy to catch with a smelt pattern. If you fish them outside of this very small window its really hit or miss, and you got to go deep. If its any consolation I have been skunked in the same way you were....now I change my timing and only go for them early in the season...by May 1st I start concentrating on brook trout fishing....which was nothing short of AWESOME this past weekend...so much so I'm taking off work today to head out to another day of fishing the ponds!

[Creekwader]

Creekwader, maybe you could help me with this. I can't believe it. I got totally skunked at a place teeming with lakers over the weekend. I trolled around with a sinking fly line, flouro leader and streamer, to no avail. I then tried lead core line with leader and streamer, but still had no luck. Finally I tried lead core, followed by a 20' leader, xmas tree, and then a small leader and a streamer. Nothing! I changed streamer colors too, from regular GG, to red GG, and orange and white. When I put the leader before the xmas tree, I discovered the streamer and streamer leader was twisting. I don't know if this was due to the leader between the lead core and the xmas tree, or the fact that it was a tandem trolling streamer and the weight of the fly itself caused the twisting.

If anyone can follow me in this post, I would appreciate some feedback. Last year I had luck at this same location with lead core, then xmas, followed by leader and streamer. There was no leader between the lead core and xmas tree, but I read that using a leader prevents spooking so I thought it was a good idea. I think I'll try the old rig next time. Again, tips are greatly appreciated! -GG

You need a keel on the christmas tree to prevent twisting and good swivels in front and behind. Sometimes with GG and other Rangely style streamers, the shoulder ends up being slightly curved to one side which will cause twisting. When you tie your flies, make sure that everything is as straight as possible and use sparse dressing. Personally, I leave out the Golden pheasant crest veiling because it often has a memory and may cause twisting while trolling.

Color-wise, lakers like black streamers at times. They also like multicolored or blended wing bucktails. Try combinations of purple, pink, yellow, red, and orange (Ed Bendl's Indian Puddle is a good example). If these things don't work, they probably aren't biting and dynamite is your only option.

[Gray Ghost]

CW - My xmas tree had swivels on both ends, so I guess that it must have been from the weight of the fly itself. I was just curious as to whether or not the 20' leader between the lead core and xmas tree was necessary or the cause of the problem. Any thoughts on that?

[Creekwader]

CW - My xmas tree had swivels on both ends, so I guess that it must have been from the weight of the fly itself. I was just curious as to whether or not the 20' leader between the lead core and xmas tree was necessary or the cause of the problem. Any thoughts on that?

20 feet sounds a bit excessive. Don't be afaid to use stiff heavy line between the lead core and the xmas tree.

[Gray Ghost]

Last year I had some luck using no leader between the LC and Xmas tree. I figured, after doing some research, that a leader here would prevent spooking. Do you think a leader here is absolutely necessary? I like the idea of a stiffer line. But when fishing at depths of 20' or more, are the Lakers even going to notice the lead core? Any ideas are appreciated. -GG

[Creekwader]

Last year I had some luck using no leader between the LC and Xmas tree. I figured, after doing some research, that a leader here would prevent spooking. Do you think a leader here is absolutely necessary? I like the idea of a stiffer line. But when fishing at depths of 20' or more, are the Lakers even going to notice the lead core? Any ideas are appreciated. -GG

Leader is probably less important with the xmas tree as with a flasher but I would still recommend using one maybe 10 feet long.