Early salmon

Hillcountry · 03-05-2018, 05:46 PM

Is May 11th too late for good salmon trolling?
Seems the soonest I can get valeted is that date...was hoping to get out sooner!
At least it’s before Memorial Day!

ishoot308 · 03-05-2018, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillcountry

Is May 11th too late for good salmon trolling?
Seems the soonest I can get valeted is that date...was hoping to get out sooner!
At least it’s before Memorial Day!

No, my favorite month for trolling salmon is actually late July and August!

Good luck!

Dan

Hillcountry · 03-05-2018, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

No, my favorite month for trolling salmon is actually late July and August!

Good luck!

Dan

Thanks Dan!

goutes23 · 03-06-2018, 10:05 AM

Yeah a lot of people think salmon fishing in the summer is crap but to be honest it’s better as the salmon have to head deeper to survive. You’re basically cutting the lake in half to hunt for them. I love early morning summer fishing!

Sent from my iPad using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Flyfisha · 03-06-2018, 10:54 AM

It’s still pretty hard to beat the excitement of trolling flies on the surface for the first few weeks after ice out! There is nothing more satisfying than to fight a spring salmon on a fly rod!

Garcia · 03-06-2018, 12:11 PM

Just curious for those who troll with flies in early season. Are you on the surface, using sinking line, or a down rigger? I am looking to give the fly rod a try this spring!

Hillcountry · 03-06-2018, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyfisha

It’s still pretty hard to beat the excitement of trolling flies on the surface for the first few weeks after ice out! There is nothing more satisfying than to fight a spring salmon on a fly rod!

Yes, that's what I experienced years ago! Trolling streamers behind the boat and the salmon are right on top! Hopefully there will still be stragglers in mid May when I can launch my toon...no down riggers for me yet, just lead core.

Hillcountry · 03-06-2018, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia

Just curious for those who troll with flies in early season. Are you on the surface, using sinking line, or a down rigger? I am looking to give the fly rod a try this spring!

Right after ice out you don't have to go too deep. A couple of colors on the lead core should be good!

SAB1 · 03-06-2018, 05:11 PM

Ill take ice out thru May over July most any day. Much more challenging in the spring and agree with the above fishing the top water is a blast. Much easier on the fish as well if you are catch and release.

Flyfisha · 03-06-2018, 05:58 PM

Sinking fly line with tandem hook streamers are the best. Go to AJs and he will share what’s hot! Or my way is “bright day=dark fly. Dull day=bright fly”. I’ve got the best deal in the world. My wife likes to drive the boat!

SAB1 · 03-06-2018, 09:13 PM

Ha ha I'm not sure she likes driving but she has no choice.....

Eyeboat · 03-06-2018, 11:20 PM

OK I'm convinced gonna hit AJs and pick up some spring salmon gear and troll the surface.

bigdog · 03-07-2018, 12:22 PM

When I was a 'yout', my Dad & friend trolled the surface using 'Grey Ghosts' flies, they were always a favorite, and got the job done !

Do any folks still use these today ?

Hillcountry · 03-07-2018, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

When I was a 'yout', my Dad & friend trolled the surface using 'Grey Ghosts' flies, they were always a favorite, and got the job done !

Do any folks still use these today ?

Sure do! Always a must in my book along with a few other standards like the green ghost, supervisor, Mickey Finn, Magog smelt, Barnes special...I had luck with one called the Meredith Special a couple seasons ago.
Lots of hardware these days too but years ago the Mooselook warbler was king!

Flyfisha · 03-07-2018, 06:02 PM

Try a grey ghost with red beads. #4 tandem. MY FAVORITE!!
Another favorite. Winni smelt beaded

03-05-2018, 05:46 PM	#1
Hillcountry Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: In the hills Posts: 2,420 Thanks: 1,677 Thanked 786 Times in 466 Posts	Early salmon Is May 11th too late for good salmon trolling? Seems the soonest I can get valeted is that date...was hoping to get out sooner! At least it’s before Memorial Day!

03-06-2018, 05:58 PM	#10
Flyfisha Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Rattlesnake Island Posts: 140 Thanks: 58 Thanked 46 Times in 24 Posts	Sinking line Sinking fly line with tandem hook streamers are the best. Go to AJs and he will share what’s hot! Or my way is “bright day=dark fly. Dull day=bright fly”. I’ve got the best deal in the world. My wife likes to drive the boat! Last edited by Flyfisha; 03-07-2018 at 09:33 AM.

03-07-2018, 06:02 PM	#15
Flyfisha Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Rattlesnake Island Posts: 140 Thanks: 58 Thanked 46 Times in 24 Posts	Ghost Try a grey ghost with red beads. #4 tandem. MY FAVORITE!! Another favorite. Winni smelt beaded

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03-06-2018, 10:05 AM	#4
goutes23 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 11 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yeah a lot of people think salmon fishing in the summer is crap but to be honest it’s better as the salmon have to head deeper to survive. You’re basically cutting the lake in half to hunt for them. I love early morning summer fishing! Sent from my iPad using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

03-06-2018, 10:54 AM	#5
Flyfisha Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Rattlesnake Island Posts: 140 Thanks: 58 Thanked 46 Times in 24 Posts	It’s still pretty hard to beat the excitement of trolling flies on the surface for the first few weeks after ice out! There is nothing more satisfying than to fight a spring salmon on a fly rod!

03-06-2018, 12:11 PM	#6
Garcia Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 610 Thanks: 137 Thanked 278 Times in 170 Posts	Just curious for those who troll with flies in early season. Are you on the surface, using sinking line, or a down rigger? I am looking to give the fly rod a try this spring!

03-06-2018, 05:11 PM	#9
SAB1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 192 Thanked 328 Times in 238 Posts	Ill take ice out thru May over July most any day. Much more challenging in the spring and agree with the above fishing the top water is a blast. Much easier on the fish as well if you are catch and release.

03-06-2018, 09:13 PM	#11
SAB1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 192 Thanked 328 Times in 238 Posts	Ha ha I'm not sure she likes driving but she has no choice.....

03-06-2018, 11:20 PM	#12
Eyeboat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 52 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	OK I'm convinced gonna hit AJs and pick up some spring salmon gear and troll the surface.

03-07-2018, 12:22 PM	#13
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,451 Thanks: 345 Thanked 123 Times in 97 Posts	When I was a 'yout', my Dad & friend trolled the surface using 'Grey Ghosts' flies, they were always a favorite, and got the job done ! Do any folks still use these today ?