I have been on the water the last few days running my experiment comparing fly/lures (FLURS) to trolling worms. The fish have gone off the bite. They are schooling and moving and no longer hang out in areas. The are constantly on the move the pods of fish are hard to find.
I realized that comparing lures and worms during the winter, when few people troll on the lake, would not only be non-representative of summer conditions, but a fairly big waste of 150 hours trolling on the lake. Therefore, I’ll start the project again in late April or early May.
However, this will be a good time for me to figure out how to catch fish on Lewiston Lake during the winter. I was told years ago by an established fisherwoman that Lewiston Lake has magnificent midge hatches during the winter. It will be a challenge to travel around the lake hunting fish.
I was out on the water yesterday accompanied by several fly fishermen in prams, float tubes, and pontoon boats. My friend Don, who taught me to midge fish this year was there as well. He was unable to find a pod of fish but did catch a few using a balanced leech. The biggest catch of the day was five fish, by a team of two who fished very hard all afternoon. It appears that winter will be a challenge for catching fish. Well, I live here and can only think of the years I wished I had the winter free to fish. I do now, and will use the time fully.
On an exercise note, I’ve used my recumbent exercise bike 6 days in a row and 45 minutes to an hour is a piece of cake. I’ve also increased the tension from 1 to 5 (of 8) and should bring the new year in with 90 minute sessions at tension of 7 or 8.
Tight Lines!