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[essyoo]

Went to Hicks lake with the kids this last weekend for the first time after watching Rod and others seem to have little trouble getting into some fish. When I take the kids I try to pick somewhere we have a higher chance of catching something. Not a single nibble after throwing everything but the kitchen sink at them. Didn't see any of the other dozen or so boats out with a fish on either.

Wondering what everyone else does when hitting a new spot. I watched every video and read everything I could find online to come prepared for spots, equipment, and methods. Thought we would at least have a LITTLE action. Would love to know what I might have missed in preparation and how to approach finding fish in other new spots as I plan to cover a lot of ground this year.

[obie1fish]

It could be a one off- they happen. I've had many occasions where I would do very well at a spot, but the skunk would happen to show when I bring a friend along. They would then say something like, "Aw, I never catch anything, so why bother?" That person needs to put in some time, and those that do will eventually catch fish. They usually  start by blundering into one, then they're off to the races!

There's also a learning curve for every lake. It took me 5 trips to catch a trout at a particular "easy" lake a bunch of years ago.  I do pretty well there now, but there's still some tough trips.

Best of luck, and keep the hook on the water!

[halcyonguitars]

Rod's vids always make it look easy. Sad to hear you skunked at Hicks, I want to try it soon.

Were you doing any fly fishing?

[Rodney]

Those fish should be in the shallows now, especially after the stocking in early April. You should be able to catch a mix of newly stocked fish, small cutthroat trout, previously stocked rainbow trout in 5 to 10 ft of water. That whole stretch along the East shoreline is great for it.

The first thing I do now is to check the water temperature, that kind of gives you an idea what depth the fish might be in.

Look for surface activities...

[mcallagan]

Get a bathymetric map of the lake.
This will give you insight into where shallows are and steep changes in depth as well as the depth throughout the lake.
Several sites have them available, Angler's Atlas is a good try.
This will give you a good starting point of where to try first.

[GordJ]

In my experience, you mention that you want to cover a lot of ground and this isn’t a strategy that will bring a lot of success. Your time would be better spent learning one fishery at a time. Different bodies of water have different characteristics and if you try to go to different places all the time you will struggle. Learn how to be successful at one place and then learn the next one. The knowledge you gain can let you find what works for you and you will fish more confidently and this brings more success and enjoyment.
And don’t compare your results to Rods as they have the fish lined up for him before he gets there. 

[essyoo]

yup, had the map on my phone. fished the entire east side. even anchored up exactly where Rod was in his videos (I looked for that stump sticking out) and used the same bait/technique. bottom fished, float fished, trolled wedding rings and flies, worms, eggs, power bait, wooly buggers, leeches, chironomids.

Seemed like maybe just an off day. the only place I saw fish surfacing was out in the deepest part of the lake. no movement near shore. it seemed quite busy for such a small lake and I didn't see anyone pulling in fish. It was very nice there though and hope to get back, it's just going to be hard to convince the kids to go after getting skunked so badly haha.

[Rodney]

And don’t compare your results to Rods as they have the fish lined up for him before he gets there. 

People can't use these fishing videos to predict how the fishing may be. The amount of time invested in producing a 15 minute episode is ridiculously large. They're meant to be entertaining and educational only.

I wouldn't be anchoring at where we anchored in that video right now. That's 40~50ft deep. I'd be fishing in the shallow edges along the shorelines right now, where all the fish are most likely be hanging around with this warmer weather.

[DragonSpeed]

And don’t compare your results to Rods as they have the fish lined up for him before he gets there. 

They have a scuba team with a net full of fish, off camera

[psd1179]

Real trout fishermen can smell where the fish are. Not matter what time where they go, they always instinctively sense the fish. By put the right fly at the right depth, they usually catch fish in the first 15 min.

You have to practice LOL

[psd1179]

I like to explore new lakes, rarely fish the same lake except the local pond. Here are a few tips,
1, point and choke
    in the lake map, if there is a point project in to a gradual deep water, it is a good spot. close to any narrow choke area, it is a good option. Don't take time cover water, try point to point if mobility is not an issue.

2, Prediction
    In the early May or late fall, searching fish from shallow to deep. Make the adjustment quick. If there is not bite in 10-15 min, move a little deeper. keep the fly close to bottom

3, using indicator
   there are only two pattern you need, a size 14 micro leech and a size 14 zucchini chironomid. The indicator will hang the fly constantly in the strike zone. offer the fish more time to find your presentation

4, adapte the weather.
   avoid huge wind and no wind. windy condition is good for lake fishing, but not the two extreme

5, no more than 30 feet
   thought in specific lakes and in summer time, people have luck in deep water, the depth more than 30 feet is not suitable for fly fishing IMO. You can screen the deep lake out of your fishing destination at the beginning. When the fish are deep, usually it is time to fish in the river.

This is my third year lake fishing. I have explored 80+ lakes in Kamloops and Cariboo area in spring, fall and winter. I don't remember any one time skunked.

[psd1179]

Using Hicks lake map as an example,
Orange dots are point, cyan dot is a choke area. The rest of the lake is too deep, sudden drop to more than 40' which is difficult to fish.

[Hike_and_fish]

Deep in the hottest days of summer I've done well for Kokanee with a downrigger. They are small Kokanee but it's something.

[essyoo]

thanks @psd1179, that's some great info and exactly what I was looking for.

I'm pretty persistent and am happy to learn a new spot, but I also need some easy wins once in a while for the kids or I lose my fishing partners pretty quick.