Small trout lake tactics

[Hillbilly rob 0]

I have a small lake close enough to fish if the streams are to high to fish. It is well stocked and fished hard. I dont normally fish their but will if it is my only choice. I had heard stories of my great grandfather out fishing everyone on a normal bases. I asked my great uncle if he knew how he was doing it. He told me that my grandfather would simply clip almost all the hackel off of a ginger quill and fish it with slow retrieve. I tried it and holy man! Anybody ever try this? What other patterns would you use early in the year just after the ice has melted?

[onceahoosier 0]

I've never fished that pattern, but it sounds to me like it would look like a midge. Midge patterns are good choices on trout lakes in the early spring around where I live. I'd try streamers as well after ice out. Good luck.

 

Tom

[phg 0]

I've had good luck with a hare's ear nymph suspended 24" below a strike indicator. In lakes, trout keep moving, so toss it out, and let it just set there. You don't have to move it much, just keep the slack under control.

[utyer 0]

I agree with the midge thoughts. A ginger quill with all the hackle clipped will look like a midge pupa on its way to the surface. A good bet, since midges will begin to hatch as soon as the ice begins to melt.

[Rodd Gunn 0]

When I fished a lake that was stocked with trout I used a fly that had a woodduck tail, black body and hackle wound on like a bugger then clipped short. If I recall it was called a Wonder Fly. The method was to cast as far as you could, let it sink and retrieve slowly. It worked. I think the key to fishing a lake is to find out how deep the trout are and then get to that level. Rodd Gunn

 

[JohnP 0]

I've done really well in lakes slow-trolling a Carey Special.

[bigdewy 0]

I'm with phg, nymph under an indicator. I use variations on the pheasant tail nymph with a slow strip retrieve. Copper Johns are another of my favs along with the hares ear.

 

I luv it when my bobber goes under!!

 

If you aren't already, I'd strongly recommend using flourocarbon tippets for stillwater!!

[phg 0]

I'm sorry, my bad. Here's one I caught from a pond a couple of weeks ago. This one took a McFlyFoam egg, no weight, slow retrieve, just fast enough to keep the slack out.