American Lake 10/27

Going to hit American Lake tomorrow after work.  I plan on being in the water around 4:30.  Going to launch from American Lake North Park as it's been empty every time I drive past it, but will launch elsewhere if anyone wants to meet up at a different launch.

Supposedly the rain will clear up and there will be some sun in the afternoon with high around 50.

The rain has cleared up and it's looking awesome out there!

Catch em up!  We want pictures.

Lee, if the map is showing the place i think it is, have they finished the boat ramp and pier upgrades they've been working on for like forever ?? that looked like it was gonna be a great new revamp to an old run down facility when i was there visiting the VA a few months back.

Yes, the launch right by the VA facilities.  The Ramp and Docks are very very nice.  brand new parking lot too.  Extremely nice facility.

I only got about an hour of fishing in.  I had a later launch as I had to turn around 1/2 way there to get my wallet (fishing license, drivers license, etc.)  I saw 2 fish on my finder the whole time.  I'll try again this weekend I think.  Going to paddle all over first, to see if I can find the fish, before I start trolling at snore speed.

What are you fishing for trout?
What type of lure are you using?
What speed do you troll at?

Trying to learn the Techneques!

Thx

Chuck

I heard reports of some trout in the 20" range coming out of there recently.  The lake isn't getting any  pressure right now (I saw two boats the entire time I was out, and neither were fishing).  The guy that reported the last catch was using flashers and didn't say what lure.

I was using flashers and a 50/50 dick nite.  But I only saw 2 fish on my fish finder the whole time, so I don't know if that will work there.  Trout will generally bite a dick nite or wedding ring from what I've seen.

Thanks 

Chuck

Going to try again possibly Saturday afternoon around 12 or 2pm.

Definitely going to spend a lot of time out there Sunday, November 1st.  Forcast is 53 and partly cloudy.

Yes, the launch right by the VA facilities.  The Ramp and Docks are very very nice.  brand new parking lot too.  Extremely nice facility.

I only got about an hour of fishing in.  I had a later launch as I had to turn around 1/2 way there to get my wallet (fishing license, drivers license, etc.)  I saw 2 fish on my finder the whole time.  I'll try again this weekend I think.  Going to paddle all over first, to see if I can find the fish, before I start trolling at snore speed.

 
Lee,, if they are on top (early or late, cloudy ect) they won't show on the meter..

I was running my downrigger at 10'.  That lake is pretty clear.  Do you think that was too deep?  I'm gonna try all kinds of stuff on Sunday.  Previous reports for the area (earlier this month) stated they trolled at 30'.

Got a fly rod?

30 feet, in the summer with bright sun would make sense. Cooler, low light scenarios suggest shallow presentations. I would look for fish prowling the shallows or off the first drop. Also, if the wind has been blowing consistently from one direction, go to the downwind shore. The fish will follow the food that gets blown down there.

Lee, Please pardon my ignorance, because I don't use downriggers.

Why on earth are you using a downrigger to fish only 10' down? I thought those were for fishing deep, so you can avoid using heavy weights. Places like Chelan for the Lake Trout, or Lk WA and Lk Samamish for the big resident Cutts.   Don't let your downrigger setup turn you into a one-trick pony for other lakes that don't require it. I guess American Lake is pretty deep (never fished it), but try to figure out where the fish are feeding and fish there.
Couple years back, I read old reports on another site about a guy casting to the shoreline structure there in the shallows at the crack of dawn and getting some nice fish. But I don't know, myself.

I have only fly fished for trout in lakes since I started lake fishing again back in '02, so I am clueless here. I troll woolly buggers and streamers on full-sinking lines (either a "clear intermediate," or a "type 3").  Or I cast dries or emergers to rising fish (quite often there might be a chironomid hatch going on over some flat bottom).  Or anchor over a dropoff and work it good. I look for structure (underwater logs, etc) and fish around it. Most of the lakes I fish are shallower, anyway, as I prefer the smaller lakes with less power boat traffic.

These are just my opinions and aren't even worth the shadows of the electrons transporting them, but they work for me.

OK, Lee, I just phoned a buddy of mine who trolls plugs and spoons for trout in lakes. His theory is that to get the big ones, you troll a plug (he likes jointed Rapalas in various colors, matching whatever smaller fish are in the lake... Kokanee, Rainbow trout, Cutthroat trout, all are good patterns for trolling plugs, depending what's in the lake) or a spoon deep and fast (as opposed to very slo-o-o-w with a wooly bugger or nymph). Your downrigger is the key, here. Big trout eat little fish (bigger meals than bugs!), and if they see your lure going by rapidly, they will chase it down and grab it before they can get a good look at it and see that it is a fake.

I have never fished for trout this way, myself. 2nd hand info from a buddy.