Exploring new lakes for whites

[Flight01]

Never fished whites and am gonna try a few lakes. Any method I should use. Fly selection and any tips welcome

[Pudelpointer]

Simplest way to go is an indicator and various chironomids. Pretty much like fishing for trout - match what they are taking. Mostly fish flies just off the bottom, however, I have had days when they are taking surface flies, emergers, or suspended from 6" down all the way to the bottom.

If you can find a shallower area near a drop, or a deeper trench in broad flat, these seem to be feeding areas.

Picked up these four (the largest was 22") using a brown BH chironomid at 6ft in 10ft of water, where they were hitting something at the surface; I couldn't see any surface insect activity.

[jkind]

In Sylvan Lake I look for sandy bottom with grass patches and hang a San Juan Worm or Hairs Ear Nymph 1-2' off the bottom in 3-10' of water.

[Flight01]

Originally Posted by jkind

In Sylvan Lake I look for sandy bottom with grass patches and hang a San Juan Worm or Hairs Ear Nymph 1-2' off the bottom in 3-10' of water.

Will be trying this and a few other things. How long do you typically try a spot before moving on? I have no fish finder. I will set up two rods. One for floating line and strike indicator and another for sink tip line .

[Pudelpointer]

Huh, pic didn't post...

[jkind]

You don't really need a fish finder for whites...I very seldom mark them on mine. Just slowly cruise the shallows until you see them scatter then anchor up and start fishing.

I think they move around in schools so if they stop biting just wait 10 or 15 minutes or if you are impatient you can wander a bit. They seem to stay in the shallows or at least they do in the spots I fish.

[Flight01]

Sad to say but I've fished lakes that have whites in them and have never seen them scatter. I have only ever seen them at the top. Not sure what they were after at that time. My buddy did catch one on a small 5 diamonds one year, was a nice one too. I will give it a shot

Nice fish PP

[Pudelpointer]

One of the four became fish tacos, the other three were pickled and turned out amazing.

Go get'em.