Reports

Guided Gordon out of Branchport (Keuka Lake State Park) for a full-day trip getting underway around 10:15 am or so.  Lake temperatures remain very cold, averaging 41 degrees in most areas.  We had some warmer water (43) up north on the Branchport Arm.  Water levels here are good and next to nobody was out fishing – we were the only rig at the State Launch when we arrived and the only one when I pulled out.  I did see a couple of boats motoring around the lake in the distance.

Like any super-clear lake with a fly-fishing bite, the lake conditions are a huge factor in success.  We had good conditions to start with some wind and stained water in one area.  Gordon had a hit in short order as well as a few follows.  We gave it a good hour or so then moved on.  In our second area, Gordon had a follow from a large Keuka Lake fish!  The diary reports from Keuka featured a 32″ 10lb+ fish as the top catch, and that was followed by a 30″er.  Gordon’s fish wasn’t nearly that large, but was considerably above average – I’d guess 24″ to 26″ long and dark!   A couple more follows from typical Keuka fish ensued and then we moved again.

Our final area resulted in some superb fly-fishing!  Gordon landed 8 nice lakers on the fly ranging from 18″ to over 22″.  He probably had a couple dozen additional follows and hits.  At times it was a hit or follow on nearly every cast.  On top of that, we had the lake to ourselves.

Gordon used a 9′ 9 weight SAGE rod with an Orvis Depth Charge line.  The 9-weight is probably overkill for the smaller Keuka Lake fish, but the key was getting the shooting line out and along bottom, which that set-up excelled at.  Gordon had action on my 8-weight set up as well, with RIO 350 Grain Sink-Tip.  I also brought along a 7-wt. set-up with a 250 or 300 grain line.  Everything depends on the depth being worked and other conditions.  Flies are probably not super-important, but Gordon’s rootbeer colored articulated (2-part) streamer did a great job.  Clouser Minnows are also productive.  The fish in this lake are hungry and opportunistic.   They are also GORGEOUS!  I wish we took more photos of some of these bronze colored wild lakers.  They are a sight to see!

The weather finally seems to be improving with some warmer days and sun in the forecast for next week.  My schedule continues to change with some trips being cancelled, postponed and added.  I do keep my “Availability” post updated.  We’re lucky this spring so far with some winter fishing action in spring-like conditions!  Usually I’m out in February and March targeting these lake trout.  By late-April, the bite can peter out a bit – not this year!