high mtn lake setups

[Bmarsh]

So I'm looking for advice on fly setups to fish these types of waters. I'm headed into the wind rivers next week after goldens , bucket list deal, and I don't have much experience in those types of waters. I'm open to any advice on what Flys to take and how I should fish em.
[signature]

[hooknhunter]

I've never gone after Golden's so this may not help much, but my favorite HML setups are lures hooked to a standard swivel. I could probably name a least a dozen good producers, but pretty much everything works. As for flies, my typical HML setup is a clear bobber (the type you can add water to) followed by 3-6 feet of 4x or 5x tippet and a small fly. Mosuito used to be my favorite in size 14-18 but recently I've had my best success on parachute Adams patterns in sizes 14 or 16. This rig can be casted a long ways. Flies can be fished still (if you bring some floatant and keep it greased) or moving my reeling in just fast enough to keep the line taut. I would guess that Goldens would be susceptable to this setup just like Rainbows, Cuts, and Brookies are.
[signature]

[riverdog]

I don't think golden trout are really very selective. My advise is to get as much time in when there is cloud cover, evenings or mornings. I've managed to get a handful of goldens in Utah this year and none where caught when the sun was bright. Lot more goldens up in the Winds so I catching them during the bright sun light is more likely even if less productive. I found this article helpful on targeting goldens http://www.flyfisherman.com/2011/07/27/t...z234dPv6eq
Good Luck. I haven't been to the Winds in 4 or 5 years and had wanted to take my son back up this month. Unfortunately a slow healing foot injury has pushed that off to another year.
[signature]

[brookieguy1]

There is a book by Rich Osthoff called "Flyfishing the Rocky Mountain Backcountry" that is absolutely invaluable. His main target is golden trout, and he shows many techniques and flies to get them. One of his favorites is a fast sinking scud pattern he fishes on floating line and a long leader.
[signature]

[nijimasu]

[signature]

[nijimasu]

I carry both a spinning rod and a fly rod. The flyrod is my priority, and I end up flinging a lot of adams and caddis immitations to feeding fish close to the shoreline whenever their cruising (midmorning or early evening, usually). I'l also dabble a black ant or even a hopper need the undercuts or shrubberies. If there is chop o the water and I know there are still fish hiding in the logs but no jumping, I'll still use a floating line, but let my dragonfly nymph (or even a dark wooly worm) sink and strip it through the fishy looking spots.



For the spinning rig, ditto on the wisdom dispensed above- spinners and spoons will work well; and the clear casting bubble with 3-4 feet of leader and a fly retrieved under the surface will rock. I use this especially when fish are feeding out in the middle where I can't reach with my fly rod. Ipersonally will fill my bubble completely and retrieve it under the surface, but a 3/4 full buble retrieved on the surface will cause a stir and sometimes that's just the ticket. I try about anything I have in a size 16 that looks like whatever is buzzing around (caddis, mayfly, or their nymph equivalents) but my altime favoritefly is a size 16 [url "http://opff.org/assets/flies/peacock_carey_special.jpg"]carey special[/url]. seems like high-mountain lake trout can't say no. particularly if it's tied with a red wire rib.

here's my bro posing with breakfast that he caught with that exact setup:



Another trick I've found works with really big fish and during mid-day when it doesn't look like much is going on, is to leave the bubble on the spinning rig, tie on a beefier leader, and tie it directly to an orange-with-black-dots- flatfish plug. I'll pinch a couple split shot on either side of the bubble so it will sink, pitch it out to the middle of the lake and let it sink almost to the bottom before starting to retrieve. I'll turn the reel hndle slowly while it's sinking so it doesn't foul itself on the line as it goes down. Kind of a heavy rig, but I've hooked some monsters on it.

Best of luck! Hope you get into some goldens!


[signature]

[flygoddess]

Royal Wulff, Adams, Mosquito, BWO, Elk Hair in yellow and Olive, Ant, Hoppers, Stimulators, PMX.
Droppers: Copper John (red), Haresear (bead and non) Prince Nymph, Pheasant Tail, WD40, Zebra.
If there are Damsels, Try Olive nymphs.

Experiment with leader length.
[signature]

[riverdog]

Lots of suggestions but if you don't want to go overboard take a look at this list
http://sharpei.home.bresnan.net/flies_2.html.
Pay particular attention to how to fish the rollover scud as it is extremely effective in the Winds. If you don't tie your own like me you can get it online http://www.thebookmailer.com/Flies/Nymph...rScud.html
[signature]

[Bmarsh]

well i got lucky and got an invite to a high mtn lake today so I had a chance to try out some of the methods suggested. Ended up having limited back casts, I could take a tube into this one fairly easily and plan on taking one back. We enticed some really nice fish. Here are a few pics of the day. Pic with rod in it was my big cut of the day.



also was fairly nice that the whole shore line was lined with these bad boys, get a little hungry and grab a handful. Also a ton of wild rasberries and huckleberries close.

[signature]

[nijimasu]

looks like you gotr'dun! since there's no smoke in the sky, I'm guessing you were nowhere near central idaho!
[signature]

[Bmarsh]

That's a correct assumption. Was actually in western Wyoming.
[signature]

[riverdog]

Looks like you're a quick study. The key is location. If there are plenty of ripe berries around it means the pressure is light and the fishing will be very good. Thanks for posting a few pics.
[signature]

[Lostabigone]

Super nice I am jealous
Jim
[signature]

[Bmarsh]

thanks rd, It was a fun day. Im headed out in an hour to give these setups a real go of it over in the wind rivers... I plan on taking lots of pics, look for a report the first part of the week.
[signature]