Photo from our friends at Umpqua

Spring Fly Fishing: Targeting Lake Trout with Streamers


I’m always excited for Spring—it’s one of the best times to target lake trout with a fly rod. While many anglers don’t think of lake trout as a typical fly fishing target, I’ve found that casting for these hard-hitting predators is a thrill worth chasing. Right after ice-out, for a window of four to six weeks, lake trout move into shallow water, holding in the top 10 to 15 feet of the water column. Unlike later in the year when they drop deep to follow cooler temperatures, this spring period gives fly fishers easy access to fish that are hungry and ready to feed.

Why Spring is Prime for Fly Fishing Lake Trout
Lake trout are natural predators, and in spring, they’re in full feeding mode. After a long winter of limited food and the energy drain of their fall spawn, they’re eager to bulk up. The water is just starting to warm, which fires up their metabolism, and it’s not uncommon to see them chasing bait near the surface during late winter or early spring. What they’re eating depends on the body of water, but they’ll target whatever forage is available—whether it’s baitfish, suckers, or even smaller trout.

Fly Fishing Tactics for Spring Lake Trout
Since lake trout are predators, spring fly fishing is all about streamers. Here are some of my go-to strategies to hook these fish:
  1. Focus on Forage and Streamer Patterns
    The first step to success is figuring out what lake trout are feeding on in the weeks after ice-out. In some waters, they key in on bottom-hugging baitfish, while in others, they chase smaller fish near the surface. I’ve had great success with large, articulated streamers like 8- to 10-inch Buford-style patterns when imitating bottom-dwellers. For fish feeding on smaller baitfish, 3- to 4-inch patterns like Gummy Minnows, Deceivers, or Clouser Minnows in colors like white, chartreuse, or purple-and-silver work well. I also tie a pattern called the Goophead Goby, which uses rabbit strips and a Goop glue head to create natural movement and push water—perfect for grabbing attention. 
  2. Get the Fly in the Strike Zone
    Where lake trout are feeding determines your approach. If they’re chasing bottom-hugging bait, a sinking line is key. I use a 9- or 10-weight rod to cast big flies, paired with a sinking-tip line and a 2X or 0X fluorocarbon leader. Cast as far as you can, let the fly sink, and use a slow, methodical retrieve—tap the bottom with a few short strips, pause, then strip again. You can’t move the fly too slowly. If the fish are higher in the water column, feeding on baitfish near the surface, I switch to an intermediate or floating line on a 6- or 7-weight rod with a long leader. A slow, two-handed retrieve keeps the fly moving, which is crucial—lake trout will lose interest if the fly stops. Check out our fly rods and fly lines at Middleforkfly.com to find the perfect setup for either scenario.
  3. Vary Your Retrieve and Stay Persistent
    Lake trout can be picky, so you’ll need to experiment with your retrieve to see what they want. Sometimes they’ll strike a fast-moving fly, other times they prefer a slow strip-pause rhythm. If you see a fish following your fly, speed up the retrieve—lake trout are predators, and a stopped fly doesn’t look natural. I’ve had them hit right at the last second, just as I’m lifting the fly to cast again, so keep stripping until the fly is out of the water. 

I’m Andy Shroyer, the owner of Middleforkfly.com, a fly fishing e-commerce store.
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