Also Check Out

There are dozens and dozens of traditional streamers to choose from and every one of them will catch a fish, at least now and then. However, over the past 40 years I have narrowed my personal selection of streamer flies down to exactly one highly secret pattern simply because it is so effective.

And today I am going to reveal that secret streamer pattern just to you.

It’s a original, two-inch, gold, floating Rapala. Okay, so it’s not really a fly. With all due respect to generations of trolling pattern innovators, over the years I’ve discovered that this particular size and color Rapala outperforms any fly ever tied during the ice-out season here in Maine. And while it is true that a silver Rapala or even a fire tiger pattern will work better on some, if I’m going to drag something behind a boat in April, then it’s going to be a gold Rapala.

Frankly, I’m somewhat astonished that the gold model works better than the silver pattern, because they grayish silver color looks a whole lot more like a smelt than the gold one does.

The best thing about the little gold Rapala is that it catches everything. I started using it for landlocked salmon, but I’ve caught bass, trout, pickerel, perch, and pike of all sorts dragging it around.

And you certainly don’t need to drag it on a fly line. A spinning or baitcasting outfit will work just as well. If you are using a fly rod, let out the entire line. I don’t think leader length is important at all, as long as it’s at least seven feet. If I’m using spinning gear, I fish 100 feet behind the boat, unless the fish are really biting, or I’m in a river and then I might be only 50 feet behind.

How you rig the Rapala can make quite a difference. I always put a small split ring on the lure rather than tie the line directly to the nose loop because this allows it to wiggle more. You want a small split ring because any serious weight added to this lure will destroy the action. If you must tie the Rapala directly to the line, use some sort of loop knot to do it. Never use a snap swivel on a Rapala.

It’s not a bad idea to use a quality ball bearing swivel with a small Rapala, but it should be attached the to the end of the line and then six or so feet of leader should be added. I’m quite certain that using the lightest line you can manage is best for this fishing. Fluorocarbon is the best, but I see no reason to use more than 8-pound test in any case.

How do you fish the lure? There are really only two things you need to think about. The first is that slow is good, as long as you get good wiggle out of the lure. You want to check the lure by dragging it beside the boat to see if it has that good tight wiggle. Some Rapalas won’t have it at all.

The second is to fish close to shore. Yes, I know sometimes the fish are way out deep, but generally my best results come by getting close and going slow. If it’s trout or bass you want to be in among the rocks. If there’s current, fish wherever that is. If you are trolling in a river, you want to be practically on shore if the water is under 55 degrees, but also drag your Rapala through any eddies you see.

These days I have lots of wonderful trolling flies still in my fly boxes, but mostly they just sit there. If I want to feel something pulling on the other end of the line, I go with the gold Rapala.


Best wishes,