When I make some more doughbaits in the future I shall add some cornstarch-thanks. In the meantime I shall try to learn more about this spawning netting I did not know about till yesterday. Apparently it can be colored to match the roe. I would like to find some "neutral" color and learn how to best make these for fishing. I like this idea, it would allow the material and scent to flow outside the material slowly, and thus should work well fishing,

I use small treble hooks, and realize I should be using a standard hook for this netting. I have read of Gamatsu Octupus hooks. Would these type of hooks be ideal for this netting lure presentation?

I have flies with leaders, but they are not weighted. I simply will make some leader material and add some lead weights to that material. Apparently I overthought the whole problem. Obiously, I can have the leader material with different weights so I can drift at different depths. I have plenty to learn about this method of fishing by drifting.

This spawn netting would seem to be the best bet. I have looked at Gamatsu? octopus hooks and these hooks, combined with my dough balls in this netting would seem to be a very good solution.

Thanks

I fish high mountain lakes for some finicky trout. I use a spinning rod and want to use wet flies. I figure on using flourocarbon line with a 3-4 foot leader of 4 lbs. What's the best way to add weight to this line that won't spook the fish? I tried to use a clear plastic bobber and fill it with water for weight. I found it only sank a short distance below the surface . Is there anything out there that is inobtrusive and can get the fly down to the area the fish are at?

Hello,

I have created dough type baits for trout. They are colorful and "smelly"-(garlic powder and sardines) and I use gelatin to help keep them connected.
Nothing seems to work- they dissolve quickly off the hook. I need to make them consistent and much better bonded.
I am out of ideas. The thing that makes :GULP work so well is its bonding and staying on the hook. What's the miracle ingredient?

Thanks, in advance,

I will be waiting till May before venturing out on the kayak, due to water temperatures on a high plateau lakes. For now, its fishing from shore.
Since the lake has depth of up to 64 feet and since we get "free winds" here in the Rockies, I have time to try and do this correctly from the first time.
I have learned about a drifting rig setup with a sliding sinker so the weight is not so apparent at strike, and about holding the line with your finger to detect strikes. What it the absolute best way to hook worms etc. for wary trout?
I do have a worm bin, and don't want to lose a lot of them to "short striking" wary fish.

Geneso

Greywulff,
There is a very small lake that feeds into the larger one and I never even though of fishing in that area until you suggested it. Deep and slow is a great start.

Hello,
While it may seem odd, I have a new kayak, virtually, and could not get it on the water last year. I am determined to do better this year.
We can start to fish the high alpine lakes in March here for trout. There is no way in hell I will be dealing with getting wet that early on those high, windblown lakes.
So, I have chosen to fish from shore, well dressed to withstand those breezes, seated, and simply could use some basic advice on doing so, efficiently?
What's best for fishing in these conditions when the fish are not active due to the cold water at that time? I can expect to see ice, and simply must learn to deal with it. I do have one advantage, a custom rod that can cast, two handed, a longer distance than commercially available rods. You can get tired retrieving due to the time it takes.
Since the lakes can get quite deep, logic dictates fishing on the shallower, warmer end of the lake.
Am I on the right track? Would worms be suitable for this early season? What speeds and lures would you recommend for rainbows at this time of year?
Thanks in advance,

Thanks for all your input. I note that others of my age are coping with our challenges. My optometrist probably has the best answer for me, but I have already ordered flipups and will always have them either primarily or,secondarily.
As I am writing this I have to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Each trip is a revelation which results in alterations to tackle etc. Eventually everything will get smoothed out and I can concentrate on pursuing and catching large rainbows. That's a long ways off right now.

to the many who have been so helpful on this site. I realized it was time to throw away pride and ask really simple questions here, and get some obvious answers which had not occurred to me. So be it. Thank you for all your help.

I have ordered flip up brown polarized glasses and know this will help. As I continue to evolve in kayak fishing each trip is like a separate chapter in what I am learning. Streamlining everything in the kayak to cut down on the clutter now seems to overwhelm even the fishing priorities.
Flyguy- when you created the great long light rod, just practice casting with it on the ranch was amazing. When we got together to build it, every third time I went fishing I got blown off a lake due to the crazy winds that come out of nowhere in the Rockies above 7,000 feet. Since then, of course, I have not been blown off a lake. Crazy! Now however I have discovered two lakes for flyfishing only on the Colorado border. At some point I will hike to them and using your rod and a bubble and fly will be giving that rod a real workout. Making that rod for me was a little like giving a teenager a Ferrari! Not using it seems almost sacrilegeous.

Well, brown flip up polarized sunglasses ordered already. I have never seen these used by fishermen, but "good Lord" they would be such an obvious choice for this altitude above 6,500 feet!
I have found that a curved dental pick is absolutely the only way to tie knots with such fine, small line. Heavier line is so much easier to bend, twist and control. Still, little gains mean a lot. The absurdity here in this part of the Rockies is that a kayaker is regarded a special fisherman because of the advantages gained with mobility. The huge majority here strictly fish from the shore with power baits, and quite honestly catch a good amount of fish, with patience. I have seen 12 and 22 pound rainbows caught from these lakes and it amazed me. I want to acquire the knowledge to catch fish like those two. I have much to learn.

Hello,
In dealing with my very light lines I am using for trout it seems extremely difficult at home under a bright electric light, but the contrasts on the water in the kayak make it near laughable, when changing lures etc.
Is there a type of sunglasses lense that not only reduces glare, but somehow increase contrast, to,see the line better and NO I will not be going to a heavier poundage line.

Gene so

So, if 15 feet is where the weeds stop growing then crawdads can be used to greater depths. I have been told one lake has a depth of over 90 feet. I must say your giant "shark" hooks used for bass fishing take some getting used to since I use no. 12's for trout fishing. Thanks Fred

Ok, I am not trying to create a problem, but am aware of its existence. It’s mid-late summer. Weeds have been growing from the bottom since Spring. How do I use crawdads type bait when the weeds are grown? This answer may be obvious, but I do not know the answer.

OK,
I looked at the crawdads given me and had not thought whatsoever on doing anything to them other than putting them on a line and casting them. Now in just two days, when I get some time, I shall end up with a superior presentation, utilizing the basic lure and adding so very much to the basic presentation. I have seen some people on this site deride hatchery raised rainbows. I have learned some basics about catching average sized trout. Seeing a 22 pounder and fish in the 12 pounder category, was a stunner! Any fish that big in the wild has got to be a leery, cautious creature who has seen an awful lot of poorly presented bait.