I would like to share all the information I've
gained from years of trout trolling. I tried that red needlefish just by
itself, with a single number 5 buckshot about three feet up my 2pound test leader, last
weekend at Pine and I caught my limit of 10-111/2'' rainbows. This past weekend was
not as productive as last weekend. I caught two, lost one, Saturday evening, caught
one, lost two, along with my #1FIRE needlefish last night. I've been using the old
style needlefish, without the little spinner. I just happened to have another
fire needlefish, one with the little spinner and a rainbow whacked it right before dark. I'm
really not sure if that little spinner really makes the needlefish any more productive
or less productive.
Over the years I've fished Pine, the
following have been successful-willow leaf gangtrolls with mini crawlers to these I'll
add a drop of pro-cures anise oil, I use about a three foot length of two pound test
leader. I've caught trout trolling a nickel-red head super duper, in all three
sizes, I've used a f4 green frog pattern kwickfish and flatfish, a #70 cracked frog finish hot
shot has worked at times as have all nickel finish #1 needlefish. I have not used Dick
Nite spoons too often at Pine, the ones that have worked are the chartreuse the pearl
with red head and the all red. As for trolling flies the only effective
pattern for me has been the olive wolly bugger. I'm easily recognizable at Pine, I use a 9ft-2
sevylor raft, I have four different rods strung up so I don't waste time changing
tackle and I like to row troll. I fished Storm Lake on opening day, not very
productive-three trout in five hours trolling 502 super dupers and red dick nites, fished Pine
the next day and caught my limit in an hour using 502 nickel red-head super
dupers. Fished Storm a week later, caught a 16inch triploid and a ten incher trolling a green
frog #4 kwikfish down at the south end. All I like to use is 2#test leader, around
a25yard length and I like to enhance my offering with a drop of Dr.Juice.

---