Lake fly fishing 101

[John Killinger]

Hello All,
             My buddy Kalvin told me there are some experts on this forum, who know how to still water fly fish.

For years I've been going to this lake in the early spring that is stocked full of trout. It's a annual camping trip which I get to fish for the weekend. Normally, trout get the best of me, some of the years are better than others but the last couple have been hard. It's probably because it's been cold the last 2 years. Most of what little success I've had are with streamers, and I've caught a few under a indicator rig. I do notice there are lots of midge hatches that come off in the evenings. Never tried a buzzer or a booby, fly that is. Did talk to another fly angler last year and he was getting them with a white marabou size 12 streamer with a march brown soft hackle trailing it. I normally go the middle of April.

Any basic advice I'll take. Also, I fish from the shore.

[Dejon Hamann]

John,

What kind of lines do you have to throw on the lake?

[John Killinger]

WF5 floating, type 2 full sink, 240grain 26' shooting head, 6wt type 4 8' sink tip. Guess I should tie up some buzzers? Name of the lake is Locust Lake. Also Dejon, if you know any nice State parks up your way that have good lakes/rivers or creeks, I'll take some info on those also. Don't know if I'll get to them but I'll put them on the camping list.

[Dejon Hamann]

Around my way?  WesternNewYork isn't really an inland trout destination.  Not to say that we don't have some really good opportunities in the area, but if you're heading this way you've probably got Steelhead and Lake Run Browns on the mind.  I like to travel to the Catskills, Adirondacks, and almost every part of PA for primo trout fishing.

So, you've got a few lines to dabble with, but it looks like you're going to want eventually add something that will put you deep on the bottom like a Type 7 full sink.  A few ideas:

1) I would think freshly stocked fish, especially that time of year, would be concentrated near shorelines and their stock points.  But a cold early season temp might have them a bit finicky. 
2) Consider purchasing a belly boat. Some are really cheap.  Then at  least you know you can get "over" the trout.
3) Tie up a small selection of:
-Buzzers to match the local midge size.
-Black, Brown leeches
-Estaz type streamers
-A few boobies to play around with
-Some general nymphs like PTs and Diawl Bachs
4)Work a long "cast"/leader of 3 flies separated by 6+ feet.  Level 3x.
5)Learn how to setup and fish a "washing line" at different depths.

But more importantly if it's fresh stockies it's more a matter of putting lures in front of them with the appropriate stripping speed.

Hope this helps a bit. I'm definitely not the most knowledgeable lake fisherman on this board 

[John Killinger]

Thanks Dejon,
                    Would it be better to get the type 7 full sink for the 6wt? A few boobies to play around with, no problem with that! I see why they call them that.

[Robbie Bell]

Hi There,

I think Dejon has very much got it covered.

I might add that if it is a stocked water I would set up three different rods/methods and keep on the move.

Half an hour in each spot should be enough to tell you if the stocked fish are there or the residents are playing.

I would set up a fastish sinker with a booby and nymphs, a Fast Glass or Di 3 with some pulling lures and a floater with nymphs.

Give those 10 minutes each and move on.

Often early season stocked fish just need finding so if you can get some good intel it could save you some time.

Obviously the above methods/outfits would have to be within the local rules.

Best Regards

robbie

[Ronnie Christie]

Robbie,

Is spot on these fish will be shoaled tightly if you find the fresh fish they are very competitive so should not be too hard to catch.  Buzzers can be great early season but I would suggest you pull your flies as this way you will get interest fairly quickly. Then once you know what they are feeding on you can refine the cast.

Ronnie