Fly In Canada Fishing | Hearne Lake Lodge, NWT
Fishing Tips & Gear information to maximize your fishing experience on Lake Trout at Hearne Lake Lodge
Equipment and Technique:
You won't need those big tow trucks and winches that the stores will try to sell you. Your regular light and medium walleye/bass rods loaded with quality 12 to 15 pound test line will do just fine and are a lot more fun of course. During June you will be casting and slow trolling shallow as the trout take advantage of the cold water after ice out to chase and follow the bait to the shallows and surface. You will actually see the trout jump clear out of the water as they pass right through the schools of bait during a feeding frenzy. These are the feeding frenzies you will hear me talk about. There are a few spots that have been named by customers like the Barrel and Serge Island where these feeds go on almost every day and evening in June. The birds will show you exactly where to cast your lure or fly. Try to keep in mind that the Lake Trout likes to stun or kill its food before turning an eating it head first. Most times a very slow and I mean slow, jerky retrieve or let your lure drop vertically will trigger the most aggressive response. While trolling when you seem to be getting hit after hit without hook up it is because the trout is slapping the lure without chomping down. Move your rod quickly towards the back of the boat or open your drag after a tap to trigger the bite. Hang on because when they are feeding they have to be quick to keep others from taking their hard earned meal and will hit like a freight train. There are a few rods on the bottom, one is mine!
Don't worry, I have lots of spare equipment. This is also the time to wear out that favorite real.
We have found that over the years when the trout go deeper in July and August that jigging is much more enjoyable and productive when done properly, than trolling with heavy weights or down-riggers. We do have supplied down-riggers if you want to use them. Any hooked fish on a down-rigger will loose its fight quickly as it is force filled with water by being dragged with its mouth open. A jigged trout will fight for its life to stay or go deep and stay down producing the fight you would expect from one of the salmon family. Lighter gear with good drag and line will also force you to bring the trout up slower reducing mortality rates due to the bends. A trophy fish may be as much as 50 years old and a shame to kill.
Every year, more than once, I hear stop the boat, I caught bottom! That is what a huge laker feels like. Only when the boat is stopped the line keeps going. The worse thing to do is bring a big trout to the boat before it is ready. Many a fish is lost because of hauling to hard on a shallow or poorly set hook. A Lake trout will usually try to stun its prey with a tail slap or head but and nip before turning and taking it head first. This produces many a foul cheek or tail hook up. Take your time!
I could go on for ages but won't because I am always available to show you what I have learned while fishing Hearne Lake for 10 years.
We always hear that people visit us and keep returning because of the atmosphere that fisherman serving fisherman produces.
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