I took a break from the last few months of salmon fishing to spend a day chasing trout on Lone with Ira. We threw Ira's electric motor on the back of my pram, piled in enough gear to start up a fly shop, (A REAL fly shop, unlike that one that doesn't even stock 6 wts for crying out loud!) and headed out. We started the day anchoring up in about 12 feet of water in front of the point to the right of the launch. We set anchors then spent time getting our rods rigged up properly and in the water. The lake was dead calm, and as we looked out toward the middle of the lake we could see fish feeding on the surface. We could see MANY fish feeding on the surface. Huh. We both had two rod endorsements so we immediately went to work setting up 4 indicator rods at varying depths with varying flies, all the while commenting on the rising fish in the center of the lake. After about 45 minutes or so of zero takes, the ridiculousness of the situation finally dawned on us; Here we were stubbornly anchored up where the fish SHOULD be, all the while staring at where the fish actually WERE. We finally laughed at ourselves, pulled anchor, and headed to the middle of the lake.
We started with both of our least favorite method, trolling, and I quickly picked up the first fish on a soft hackle. After I hooked up, we dropped anchor and proceeded to work the water around us. The fish were going crazy feeding on adult chironomids. Or actually, as Ira's skilled eye quickly figured out, the adult females that were landing on the surface to deposit eggs. For a half hour or so we each picked up a couple fish, me stripping soft hackles and Ira with a pattern I can't recall. Ira started to get takes on his indicator rod, and soon excitedly pointed out that there was no longer just adult females laying eggs, but there was a full blown hatch in progress.
At that point we went about setting up 4 indicator rods with a combo of micro leeches and chromies fished within a couple feet of the surface. We spent the next couple hours picking up fish fairly consistantly. After a while the wind picked up, and the surface activity died down. The fishing slowed dramatically at this point. After a bit of experimentation we figured out that when the wind kicked up the fish were going deeper, and when it would calm down they would come back to the surface. So with that in mind we spent several hours sitting out there in the middle of the lake picking up fish on a fairly regular basis at varying depths depending on conditions. It was quite chaotic at times, having 4 indicator rods out in a 10' boat, along with several other rods strung up IN the boat. Ira got in many assist points, as I had to perform several off hand hook sets that required me passing off my other rod in a hurry, or better yet when I hooked a fish in my right hand rod, and was trying to maneuver the left hand rod to keep the line away from the fish, so Ira played 3rd hand and stripped in the fish for me. haha Many thanks for that one!
At some point in the afternoon things slowed to the point that we finally decided to move. We spend the next few hours moving from spot to spot, picking up the random fish here and there, but nothing too consistent. At around 5 pm the wind died down and the lake once again came alive with feeding fish. This time, however, we were completely unable to get them interested in any of our offerings. We quite literally threw the kitchen sink at them, employing a variety of techniques in the process. I tried several different soft hackles, emergers, dries, big streamers, small streamers, white leaches, maroon leaches, pumpkinheads... everything I could think of. Ira was doing the same. I had one hit on a olive softie, and Ira had one slight take on an indicator rod and that was it. We fished up till dark but could never figure them out.
Finally tally for myself for the day was 17 fish netted, a couple LDRs, and several missed take downs. I know Ira had at least as many fish.... er... I mean, he had 1 less of course. I was not as rusty in the trout game as I had expected. My casting left plenty to be desired, but my line management was up to snuff and my hook sets were spot on. I was wondering if salmon fishing has improved my reflexes... Even on my left handed sets I was doing well. It was a great day on the water with a friend. Few other guys in inflatables were picking up fish here and there trolling, but it didn't appear as though anyone was too dialed in all around. By mid afternoon we had the lake to ourselves. It didn't rain, since we both wore our waders out in the boat, but the wind was pestering us all day. It was nice having Ira run the motor so I could relax and not have to row as I'm accustomed to while in my boat.
As usual I learned a lot fishing with Ira, and more importantly had a fantastic time. For having 4 rods out most of the time we had few tangles, and no major ones. Ira did have the problem of multiple fish getting hooked and then wrapped into his and my lines... Those fish were pretty mean that way. Speaking of the fish, all fished caught and released were fat, healthy, and STRONG. It's amazing the fight these fish will put up on a 5 wt. They were jumping, diving, running, and just generally behaving as fat, strong, healthy rainbows will. Fish seemed to average 16-18", with the fish of the day going to Ira with a FAT, colorful bow north of 20". (Although I still claim I caught smallest!) I brought my camera with the intention of taking plenty of pics, but it died right after Ira snapped a picture of me fighting the first fish of the day. I've gotta remember to bring fresh batteries.
This is only the 3rd or 4th time I've fished Lone in October, but its been good each time. Anyone looking to get out and get there trout fix, now is good time. If all else fails, you can always troll a floating line with a black bugger......
We started with both of our least favorite method, trolling, and I quickly picked up the first fish on a soft hackle. After I hooked up, we dropped anchor and proceeded to work the water around us. The fish were going crazy feeding on adult chironomids. Or actually, as Ira's skilled eye quickly figured out, the adult females that were landing on the surface to deposit eggs. For a half hour or so we each picked up a couple fish, me stripping soft hackles and Ira with a pattern I can't recall. Ira started to get takes on his indicator rod, and soon excitedly pointed out that there was no longer just adult females laying eggs, but there was a full blown hatch in progress.
At that point we went about setting up 4 indicator rods with a combo of micro leeches and chromies fished within a couple feet of the surface. We spent the next couple hours picking up fish fairly consistantly. After a while the wind picked up, and the surface activity died down. The fishing slowed dramatically at this point. After a bit of experimentation we figured out that when the wind kicked up the fish were going deeper, and when it would calm down they would come back to the surface. So with that in mind we spent several hours sitting out there in the middle of the lake picking up fish on a fairly regular basis at varying depths depending on conditions. It was quite chaotic at times, having 4 indicator rods out in a 10' boat, along with several other rods strung up IN the boat. Ira got in many assist points, as I had to perform several off hand hook sets that required me passing off my other rod in a hurry, or better yet when I hooked a fish in my right hand rod, and was trying to maneuver the left hand rod to keep the line away from the fish, so Ira played 3rd hand and stripped in the fish for me. haha Many thanks for that one!
At some point in the afternoon things slowed to the point that we finally decided to move. We spend the next few hours moving from spot to spot, picking up the random fish here and there, but nothing too consistent. At around 5 pm the wind died down and the lake once again came alive with feeding fish. This time, however, we were completely unable to get them interested in any of our offerings. We quite literally threw the kitchen sink at them, employing a variety of techniques in the process. I tried several different soft hackles, emergers, dries, big streamers, small streamers, white leaches, maroon leaches, pumpkinheads... everything I could think of. Ira was doing the same. I had one hit on a olive softie, and Ira had one slight take on an indicator rod and that was it. We fished up till dark but could never figure them out.
Finally tally for myself for the day was 17 fish netted, a couple LDRs, and several missed take downs. I know Ira had at least as many fish.... er... I mean, he had 1 less of course. I was not as rusty in the trout game as I had expected. My casting left plenty to be desired, but my line management was up to snuff and my hook sets were spot on. I was wondering if salmon fishing has improved my reflexes... Even on my left handed sets I was doing well. It was a great day on the water with a friend. Few other guys in inflatables were picking up fish here and there trolling, but it didn't appear as though anyone was too dialed in all around. By mid afternoon we had the lake to ourselves. It didn't rain, since we both wore our waders out in the boat, but the wind was pestering us all day. It was nice having Ira run the motor so I could relax and not have to row as I'm accustomed to while in my boat.
As usual I learned a lot fishing with Ira, and more importantly had a fantastic time. For having 4 rods out most of the time we had few tangles, and no major ones. Ira did have the problem of multiple fish getting hooked and then wrapped into his and my lines... Those fish were pretty mean that way. Speaking of the fish, all fished caught and released were fat, healthy, and STRONG. It's amazing the fight these fish will put up on a 5 wt. They were jumping, diving, running, and just generally behaving as fat, strong, healthy rainbows will. Fish seemed to average 16-18", with the fish of the day going to Ira with a FAT, colorful bow north of 20". (Although I still claim I caught smallest!) I brought my camera with the intention of taking plenty of pics, but it died right after Ira snapped a picture of me fighting the first fish of the day. I've gotta remember to bring fresh batteries.
This is only the 3rd or 4th time I've fished Lone in October, but its been good each time. Anyone looking to get out and get there trout fix, now is good time. If all else fails, you can always troll a floating line with a black bugger......