I have changed my tactics for trout in Lake Crescent & am now using a long rod (either a 10' bamboo fly rod or 6wt. 8/12'Sage) with fly reel loaded w/leadcore line and minimum 10-15' leader. The long leader is necessary I guess because the water is so clear.. On Fri. the 6th at 1:30 I caught 2 Beardslee--One was approx 16" and the other 20" exactly. I release all fish due to their dwindling numbers (so I hear). I was using a jointed Rainbow Trout Rapala with the trebles removed & replaced with a single siwash at the tail. Once fish are located, it pays to go back & forth through the area. I motor troll slowly in a zig-zag with about 100' of line out, and try to keep the line angle to minimum so I get deep enough. Using this method I have been able to hook fish in the middle of the day, unlike my success using fly gear, which was early morning. (I get to sleep in.) The fish have a beautiful gunmetal blue to them, and I'm always surprised at how hard they fight. I try to get them in quickly to minimize stress to them, and to better their chance of survival upon release. I haven't been skunked yet using this technique. (knock on wood) Take care.

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