Al's Question:

As far as mountain lake trout fishing goes, do you think power bait is for wimps? Or do you think it is an okay way for a casual fisherman to catch a few on his annual camping trip?

— Al Perry

Mark's Answer:

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I think Power Bait is as acceptable for any angler — only snobs look down upon any other kind of fishing and since I grew up fishing with worms and minnows and Power Bait, I could hardly be called a snob.

(For those who aren't familiar with Power Bait, it is an artificial bait, usually a salmon-egg-looking tiny red globe (but now comes in various colors and forms such as worms, ribbons, and such) made by Berkeley.)

In most fishing situations, Power Bait will catch just about any freshwater fish and will do so when many other lures and flies and bait will not. The only thing I would say about fishing with Power Bait in high mountain lakes is that Power Bait is seldom the most efficient way to catch them. There are several variables:

These trout have a short feeding season and have to key in on those sources of food they can identify. This means insects as the main food source as well as leeches and crustaceans and a few other creatures (if they have those in their water system). Power Bait is just not something they are used to seeing.

The water is typically clear in these mountain lakes. Fishing with Power Bait is not a quiet practice, not with the plop-plop of the sinker and the bobber. The same trout feed regularly on things like damselflies and when a flyfisherman tries his imitation, the clear water makes the angler have to produce a match close enough in shape and color and size and also in presentation. So there is much that can go wrong even trying to match the hatch. If you chunk Power Bait in the middle of the clear cold lake, this will spook the fish and they will turn away. You have to let your offering sit there for quite a while to even interest them. And even if you do, they have time to suck it in then spit it out.

In these high mountain lakes, you have a much better chance at fooling the fish with spin lures like Rapalas and Panther Martins (1/32 oz). And even if you are not a flyfisherman, try what's known as a Texas Rig or a Red River Rig. You can find special bubbles you fill with water (although you can use a traditional bobber or cork). Slide these on your line, leave about 2-4 feet of line out to the end, and attach a size 14 or 16 mosquito or Adams fly pattern. Cast it out to rising trout and wait, watching the bobber all the while. Flyfishing without a fly rod. You'd be surprised how deadly effective this method can be.

Power Bait can work on high mountain lakes. Worms work better in my experience. But flies are usually the most effective tools to trick trout.

Good luck,
Mark D. Williams