Trolling

Arrow Lake trolling is an effective way to catch the big, trophy lake trout, and just below the dam on the Columbia River anglers troll for rainbow, kokanee, and walleye. No matter what the season, there is always something biting.

Anglers target large Gerrard rainbows and bull trout on the Lower Arrow Lake trolling throughout the year, but one of the best and most exciting times is in the spring. The main staple of the large trout’s diet is kokanee. When kokanee are plentiful so are the Gerrard and bull trout.

When the water warms in spring, the trout follow the kokanee from the depths and trolling bucktail and polar bear flies on the surface is a thrilling experience. The large flies imitate kokanee and the massive trout hit them hard, followed by long reel-emptying runs.

Going deep on downriggers in winter and summer can land some trophy Gerrards and bull trout. For trout anglers trolling is a science that requires close attention to trolling speed, depth, type and colour of the lure, and most of all the action, or how the lure swims in the water. All these factors can change from season-to-season and even day-to-day, so targeting these fish can be tricky.

Trolling is also the best way to catch kokanee and walleye, particularly in the spring and summer months. A slow troll using willow leafs and wedding rings for kokanee or jig heads and twister-tails or drop-shots and spinners for walleye are successful setups.

Many anglers also troll for rainbows on the Columbia River in the spring and through the fall. Due to the size and the current on the Columbia, a minimum 14-foot boat with 20 horse power is recommended. Be sure to go with someone who knows the river well or hire a local guide, it can take away a lot of the guesswork.

Fall Arrow lake trolling for Gerrard rainbows and bull trout can be the best time of year as the trout feed heavily in preparation for a long winter. Pick up the speed and troll up to 3.5 mph with bucktails and Apex lures just below the surface. Popular bucktail flies include the bleeding gill, army truck, and grey ghost.

Heavy duty salmon rods with large mooching reels and 300-yards of 20-pound Spiderwire for deep trolling on downriggers for large Gerard rainbows and bull trout are the gear of choice in late autumn and winter.

From December to February a slow troll between 1.5 to 2 mph is key. As the season gets colder anglers slow down and target depths of up to 120 feet. Flasher and hoochies, water dogs, and Bill Normans are go-to lures in winter.

As the water temperature warms up, increase your speed starting in late March through the summer. Trolling Apex lures and bucktail or polar bear hair flies on the surface to imitate kokanee are preferred choices.

Make sure the lures and flies run true, because a bent hook or tangled hair will put the big trout off. A simple way to do this is to drop the fly in the water with about 10-feet of line and see how it runs. If it leans one way or the other, bend the hook the opposite way to get it to run upright.

In July and August the big fish go deep. Lyman plugs in Firetiger #104, Purple Jesus #160, Shazam #69, and kokanee #98 are popular, as are flashers and hoochies or coyote spoons trolled at 2.5-3 mph and 120-150 feet deep.

The Robson Reach, just below Hugh Keenleyside Dam, is a favourite trolling area where anglers target kokanee, walleye, and rainbows through the spring, summer, and fall. A slow troll with a drop-weight and leader tied to a hoochie or wedding ring tipped with worm and bounced on the bottom is deadly when fishing for walleye and kokanee. Colours in blue and white, purple and white, dark green and white produce well in the summer. In the fall, red and orange colours are more productive as they imitate the spawning kokanee.