| The name Lake Trout lends a slight misnomer to the | | | | most part, tend to elude most fly-fishing lore and go |
| actual species of this incredible fish that is actually not | | | | unnoticed. The depth at which they dwell and the |
| a trout at all, but a char. The Lake Trout resides in | | | | difficulty in locating a group of fish to target within |
| some of the most spectacular places on earth and | | | | the parameters of the fly angler all contribute to its |
| the trip that spurred this article is no exception.The | | | | lack of attention, however; there is an exception and |
| Newhalen River, near Iliamna Alaska, is where this trip | | | | that is early spring just after break-up when Lake |
| took place and the intention was to land some nice | | | | trout, usually in the 20 to 30 inch range, journey from |
| early season Rainbows. Although Rainbows were | | | | the big lakes and cruise the shallows of the rivers |
| indeed landed the Lake trout took center stage as | | | | that enter and exit them. So while Rainbows, Dollies, |
| they fed in frenzies on the tiny smolt that were | | | | Coho and Kings steal the lime light, the Lake Trout |
| venturing out into the currents for the first time.The | | | | still continue, unmolested, gorging on the many |
| first feeding frenzy we spotted drew much attention | | | | salmon fry that struggle in the currents as they begin |
| as we expected huge Rainbows were cruising the | | | | to learn the perils of life as a salmon.It is during this |
| shallows. Not one person expected what happened | | | | time that fly anglers can easily locate and entice |
| next. Wham! The Marabou Muddler was engulfed as it | | | | Lakers into taking their fly, even on top. The Lakers |
| was stripped quickly through the rising pod of what | | | | can be located by the many swirls and splashes as |
| turned out to be Lake Trout.Lake Trout, for the | | | | they travel in schools. |