FS Digest

Scale of one to ten, what are the chances that I can pick up gear on the way to my camping trip next weekend and catch fish in the same weekend?

Ten being I may catch a fish, 1 being there's no point thinking about it?

Never tried fly fishing, I tried casting a few times in my father in law's backyard.

Going to Algonquin park, Ontario. On a lake, been trolling for years but 90% of the fish caught on these trips are about ten feet off the shore (Lake trout)

I do want to take it up, but I need to manage my expectations for next weekend.

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by Visspui

FS Digest

Really hard to predict honestly. It’s certainly possible that you might catch a fish or two, but it’s also entirely possible that you won’t get any(especially considering you’re so new). If I were you I’d try and get in touch with a fly shop in the area and see what they think. Check out the Orvis YouTube channel if you can’t get any in person teaching. There’s a really big learning curve for beginners in this sport, so if you don’t catch any, be patient!

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by stefanfolk

FS Digest

Thank you!

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by Visspui

FS Digest

More importantly, why would you want to use a flyrod (for your first time, no less) trying to catch lake trout out of a Stillwater? I mean, it's possible, but it's a stretch even for seasoned fly anglers, and it certainly does not play to the flyrods strengths.

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by FLORI_DUH

FS Digest

Because every year, sitting on a chair watching the water, fish are jumping like crazy. Thought I could tap into that.

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by Visspui

FS Digest

I’m not trying to discourage you from fly fishing, but you can get a spin cast real and basic gear for pretty cheap and I would think your odds of catching something are much higher.

I’m saying this because I just got into fly fishing (been fishing all of my life) and the learning curve is quite a bit steeper. Between casting, how different fly cast, and learning the equipment it can be a lot to learn.

Edit: I sever answered the question. 3-4

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by occasionallyipost

FS Digest

I have gear for spin casting, have had some success there over the years.

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by Visspui

DonaldRotter80 Loc: St, Cloud, Minnesota

If you want to fly fish with a fly rod without learning properly I would say your chances of being successful are slim to none. If you would use a spinning outfit and a torpedo float and leader and fly you would have an excellent chance, DEPENDING on what kind of fish are jumping and when and why? If you are seeing lake trout ROLLING during the day and don't see any insect activity they may be feeding on live bait or just playing and not eating. I have seen fish do that often, usually during the middle of the day. If you have sunfish, crappies and bass and they are surfacing for insects towards evening you will have an excellent chance at catching them. For that I would suggest 6 lb. test Green Trilene XT (Xtra Tough). DO NOT USE XL (Xtra Limp!) or you will have tangles and bird's nests that will drive you crazy! You can use the same line for a leader if they are big fish but use 4 lb. leader for pan fish and bass. If you can already use a spinning outfit, NOT BAIT CASTER for this, you can attach the tapered end of the bubble to the line from the reel and the leader to the large end of the bubble. I would use a 6 foot leader. THE BIG SECRET is to SHOOT the bubble out and not lob it in an arc. Watch the bubble and when you know it is about to hit the water, STOP the line with your finger so the bubble stops in midair and the fly and leader extend 6 feet beyond and enter the water without tangling up. Then you move the float (which also works as a strike indicator) towards you a couple of feet and stop, take up the slack immediately and repeat this in the area where the fish are surfacing. Rather than trying to move the heavy fly line with your fingers you simply turn the spinning reel handle and then repeat. There are numerous flies and I use wet flies, (sinking) and sometimes poppers. Try to use a fly somewhat resembling the hatch. For pan fish and bass I have ONLY used one fly in two color phases for MANY years now. That is a Timberwolf with a white or green egg sack and black body and hackle. Over the years I accumulated a box full of flies which I haven't used for years now! For pan fish and bass I fished with a fly rod for MANY years and got tired of having to watch for people, animals, trees etc. I went to the spinning outfit years ago and WILL NEVER go back. To each their own but in your case you need time to learn how to use a fly rod. You can always do that later or have the patience to learn now or tough through it on your weekend and hope for the best. If they are lake trout you could still target them with artificial or live baits on the spinning outfit OR what was successful for me was using a bait casting rig, or heavy spinning outfit and a one ounce jig with a piece of sucker meat cut into a tapered strip and hooked on the big end. Cast out and allow the jig to touch bottom and then start reeling FAST! We did not troll but just continued casting and letting it sink to the bottom, then reel up. The strikes ALWAYS came when the jig/meat combo was off the bottom and moving up. You may be successful with the same setup and trolling. Also many lake trout are caught from shore or boat by fishing with a smelt, cisco or sucker, usually dead and just left lying on the bottom. Good Luck! Which means GOOD FISHING! Enjoy! It is fun to watch them surface but it can be frustrating and it is definitely more rewarding catching!

Gene day

Good luck fly fishing buddy