Can someone explain to me why a person might want to use a fly-rod while trolling?  I thought the advantage of a fly-rod was superior presentation possibilities; for trolling, I would think the presentation would be pretty much the same, whatever rod you are using.   :question

The flyrod is my primary rod when I travel to the BW's, it's not a matter of it being a "better" rod for trolling, it is just usually the one I have rigged up.  As far as trolling, It's not my primary fishing method, I prefer casting, but If I am in travel mode, why not drape a line out behind me?   I've picked up some nice pike this way.    If I am on an unfamiliar lake, it's a great way to find weed beds/reefs etc.

Mike

Thanks guys.  I haven't been a fish guy.  And I can learn some things easily--like how to tie a knot.  But there's also a culture, and that's harder to learn.  And in fact, as I read various folks who contribute here, I think there are several cultures going on.  Some of you want records.  Some of you want finesse.  Some of you want specific kinds.  And now here's Moonman--I suspect he would enjoy a single catch on his own fly when no one else is succeeding on anything, than I would a whole bunch of nice fish--forget the fact that mine were caught when anyone with a hook in the water got their limit.  

One thing I thought I should mention is a presentation method that really works for me on summer walleyes. A slow troll along drop offs or the deep weed edge in around 12-15 feet of water with a streamer and a clear intermediate line. A sink tip, or type 2-3 sinking line do not work near as well.

This has been deadly the last few years. The line seems to be the reason. Also maybe in combination with the streamer pattern. My usual canoe partner only spin fishes and is usually trolling a rapala (floating/husky jerk/shad rap), while I am trolling the streamer. With this clear line that sinks about 1.5 -2 inches per second, I am just above the deep weeds. The pattern that has been really working is an angel hair streamer, about 3 - 3.5 inches long, pearl belly and blue or goldish green back. With 3D eyes in gold for gold/green back, and silver with blue back. We'll make repeated trolls over a known good area and I will get a fish or hit almost every time. My buddy, nada.

Besides the line, maybe the fact that the streamer is more silent. Even without rattles, all lures are very loud if you listen to them under water. This same pattern has been working on a wilderness lake we fish every year, late June or first week of July.

Still, I can't say that this approach is better than spin fishing, its just different and I'm sure a worm harness would work great as well, but it truly has been killing 3-5 pound walleyes the last few years.

Moonman.

Those would work I'm sure - especially on pike. Almost anything works on pike. Those flashy profile flies and others similar are found in a book I have, Innovative Saltwater Flies. Great read. A big head, either deer hair or wool etc really sends out some vibrations and adds to the effectiveness of the fly. Larry Dahlberg has some great tips on his site, 'Hunt for Big Fish'.

I tie up some really big nasties for muskies though, some up to 14 inches long...some articulated etc. I usually only toss them (troll them) in fall on Georgian Bay. As you know, those muskies are few and far between compared to some inland waters but they are monsters. A friend of mine who has a cottage there and downrigs for salmon said a guide told him that muskies occasionally attack salmon being brought in by guys downrigging. We're talking adult salmon 12-20 pounds on average!

A lot of muskie guides use smaller flies though - 6 to 10 or 12 inches. The key is castability. For walleyes anything up to 3- 6 inches will work I'm sure, basically mimicking typical forage. I also catch walleyes on nymphs/dragon fly patterns.

Maybe I'll take a few pics and upload some of my muskie flies...

Moonman.