Early salmon
 

Is May 11th too late for good salmon trolling?
Seems the soonest I can get valeted is that date...was hoping to get out sooner!
At least it’s before Memorial Day!

No, my favorite month for trolling salmon is actually late July and August!

Good luck!

Dan

Thanks Dan!

Yeah a lot of people think salmon fishing in the summer is crap but to be honest it’s better as the salmon have to head deeper to survive. You’re basically cutting the lake in half to hunt for them. I love early morning summer fishing!


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It’s still pretty hard to beat the excitement of trolling flies on the surface for the first few weeks after ice out! There is nothing more satisfying than to fight a spring salmon on a fly rod!

Just curious for those who troll with flies in early season. Are you on the surface, using sinking line, or a down rigger? I am looking to give the fly rod a try this spring!

Yes, that's what I experienced years ago! Trolling streamers behind the boat and the salmon are right on top! Hopefully there will still be stragglers in mid May when I can launch my toon...no down riggers for me yet, just lead core.

Right after ice out you don't have to go too deep. A couple of colors on the lead core should be good!

Ill take ice out thru May over July most any day. Much more challenging in the spring and agree with the above fishing the top water is a blast. Much easier on the fish as well if you are catch and release.

Sinking line
 

Sinking fly line with tandem hook streamers are the best. Go to AJs and he will share what’s hot! Or my way is “bright day=dark fly. Dull day=bright fly”. I’ve got the best deal in the world. My wife likes to drive the boat!

Ha ha I'm not sure she likes driving but she has no choice.....:laugh::laugh::laugh:

OK I'm convinced gonna hit AJs and pick up some spring salmon gear and troll the surface.

When I was a 'yout', my Dad & friend trolled the surface using 'Grey Ghosts' flies, they were always a favorite, and got the job done !

Do any folks still use these today ?

Sure do! Always a must in my book along with a few other standards like the green ghost, supervisor, Mickey Finn, Magog smelt, Barnes special...I had luck with one called the Meredith Special a couple seasons ago.
Lots of hardware these days too but years ago the Mooselook warbler was king!

Ghost
 

Try a grey ghost with red beads. #4 tandem. MY FAVORITE!!
Another favorite. Winni smelt beaded