anyone employ this strategy (especially in the spring)?

patterns?

methods? i've read some interesting stuff about throwing in roll casts to get the pattern moving side to side.

other considerations? how about mounting the rod to the canoe? any special rod holders or cheap solutions?

I have had some luck trolling flies. I let the entire floating line out, often with a weighted fly. I don't have a rod holder but usually the guy in the front holds a rod while the guy in the back paddles. Good to hold the line because you get some vicious strikes. If you do this much, you might want to use a swivel in the leader to prevent twisting. You can pump the rod for extra action.

Thanks to jeroldharter for the reply. I plan to employ some of these techniques in May.