My dad always said, “Most lures are designed to catch fishermen, not fish.” This old adage usually surfaced when we were at a tackle shop and I saw a shiny new lure. As I aged, I came to realize he was correct most of the time, but I also grew to understand and appreciate the importance of lure type and pattern when you’re serious about catching fish.
Fly anglers talk about “matching the hatch,” meaning they select fly patterns based on whatever insects the fish are feeding on when they’re emerging. With lures, you have two options: match the prey species swimming around, or select an attractor pattern that doesn’t resemble anything in nature, but somehow tricks fish into striking. Both approaches have their place, and both put fish in the boat.
My home base of Sebago Lake has earned the reputation of prime salmon and lake trout territory. These days, we’re seeing a resurgence in salmon fishing, with solid numbers and impressive sizes of landlocked salmon. The lake trout fishing offers some serious double-digit catches and stays generally productive.
For as long as I can remember, orange lures have worked well for Sebago salmon. I can’t recall who first shared this with me, but crack open my tackle box and you’ll find it loaded with orange patterns. Old Mooselook wobblers have been replaced with Northeast Troller’s Orange Crush series. Just this past weekend, clients on my boat landed a beautiful three-pound salmon on one of these lures.
Now what does an orange lure imitate? Nothing I can think of, but salmon clearly find them irresistible. That’s reason enough for me to keep dragging them through these waters.
Another top salmon lure is the DB Smelt in pearl pattern. This one is slender and silvery white –– looks just like a smelt –– so I’d call this more of an imitator than an attractor. I like to drag this lure on a sinking fly line as there is nothing like a feisty salmon on a fly rod.
Recently I have had two favorites for bottom-dwelling lake trout that cruise Sebago’s depths. Last summer, during a particularly slow day, my fishing buddy Bill Tapley and I dug into my tackle bag and pulled out a brand new Mooselook Wobbler in a yellow perch pattern that I’d never tried. Bill tied it on, and suddenly we were in business. That lure has become one of my most reliable producers this season. Funny thing is, I know yellow perch live in Sebago, but I’ve never actually seen one. Apparently, the lake trout have a better idea where they hang out.
Lure maker Justin Blouin, who owns Pine State Sports Supply, wanted me to try some of his lures on Sebago so he sent me a sample pack. I was drawn to his “Bottom Feeder” lure as I thought it resembled a sucker. I started using it and it has been my biggest producer this year.
So, I have to admit the old man was right. This angler is easily caught by new lure patterns — if they work.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with new patterns and try something different, but also take time to pick the brains of old-timers about what’s always worked for them. Sometimes success really does come down to the pattern you choose.