| Author |
Message Text |
|
Aguynamedjosh
|
Thanks for the tips & video is great. Get's me even more excited for my trip.
|
|
Moonman
|
Fly rod at that time of year will be perfect really. Fish will still be relatively shallow, so trolling streamers on a full or intermediate sink line will be very effective, the insect hatches (Caddis, dragonflies, damsels etc) will be in full swing, so casting shorelines will be effective as well. The only thing to contend with is wind but if trolling it’s not a factor, at least not more than trolling spinning gear. When I troll with my fly rod I like the rod straight out the back with the reel sitting over the thwart in front of me and the drag set accordingly. This guarantees solid hook sets.
Moonman
|
|
Aguynamedjosh
|
Hello everyone,
I have a trip planned at the end of may and was curious if bringing my fly rod would be worth it or just added weight. I'll be going in at Mudro and heading up to beartrap lake. I appreciate any and all feedback!
|
|
Aguynamedjosh
|
Moonman, thank you for the response. Also I saw your thread you posted with your flys you tie. Some beauties!
|
|
Moonman
|
For sure there are added challenges to bringing a fly rod and being effective. There are times when flies have out fished friends using their spinning gear, but mostly you are more efficient using spinning gear. So you have to WANT to use your fly gear because you love it, and want the challenge. As I mentioned in my first post and trout bum mentioned, dealing with bad weather is the biggest factor, especially wind. But the challenge is actually fun! Especially if you tie your own flies, it’s like you are winning a fight with one hand tied behind your back. In terms of trolling streamers, they can be much more effective than lures at times. Over the years I have found times when the fish are neutral or negative, I will get 1-2 hook ups trolling streamers and the other guys nothing. It might be the way lakers follow lures for a long time. The streamers look so realistic, materials softly flowing, so maybe in that situation of close inspection, the flies can be an edge but for sure it has happened many times ( over 33 years of ice out trips). If I am catching more lakers than my buddy on a streamer I tied up myself, I enjoy it much more...I would agree using a floating line is less effective and never take them anymore. Full sink type 5 line for trolling, clear intermediate line for casting shorelines. Change lines with loop to loop connections. Troll flies anytime, while 3 weeks after ice out is best time for casting shorelines , still primarily using streamers, 4-5 weeks after ice out nymphs come into play more. In the first two weeks of June is the only time I would take a floating line, as then the massive hex hatches start and lakers and whitefish will take them off the surface at dusk or earlier on calm days.
Moonman.
|
|
Johnh
|
Casting flies for bass along the shoreline is my favorite way to fish anywhere. If they are in the shallows cruise the shoreline and cast and strip deer hair divers, clousers or other steamers. It works best with one paddler and one caster but I have done it solo. I made this video in 2018. Lots of fly fishing in it.
Quetico fly fishing
|
|
Troutbum77
|
I've brought a fly rod on several May lake trout with limited success. It's certainly possible to catch fish trolling a sinking line but I've found that type of fly fishing to be so similar to trolling a crank bail or Vibrax Spinner that it's not worth the hassle of brining the extra equipment.
I have yet to catch a trout in Quetico on a floating line with dry flies or stripping small streamers/nymphs/scuds. Again, I stopped brining the extra equipment and just rely on my terminal tackle gear. Even when trout are aggressively eating lures, I've not had any luck. Strange for sure, but that's been my experience.
Also, many May trips are filled with nasty weather; windy, cold and rainy. I've found that in that type of weather I strongly prefer to use terminal tackle.
Good luck if you bring it! May the ice go out the day before you arrive and wind be at your back.
|
|
sns
|
I hope it's not pointless - I am bringing mine!
We did pretty well last year with streamers.
|