Gang,

Since the question of diversity was raised, how 'bout following it up with: In order of precedence, what is the first, second, and third you going to try/tie for the opener?

Mine....

(1) Carey Bugger (olive/peacock)
(2) Hairy Bugger (purple)
(3) Mini Clouser (chartreuse)

Line...

Type I, maybe Type III (we'll see how close those planters are towards the surface).

Downriggin'
(Don't let the log on fool ya)

all the recent talk about powerbait has got my curiosity, i may have to try some on the opener...it seems like those flyfishing elitists sure get nervous around a bottle of that stuff

anyone have any favorite colors/flavors they want to share?

The best I have found is chartreuse, second best is tied between Fo. red and orange. If you haven't tried this stuff before, heres a little tip. Tie up a 2 or 4 pound leader about 36" long with a small hook and a bullet weight, put a short piece of round toothpick in the bullet weight, this will allow you to float the bait off the bottom anywhere along the leader. Powerbait is a floating bait. Then watch your line more than the pole tip, if all of a sudden the line becomes real slack the fish is mouthing the bait and swimming towards you, set the hook. In this manner you will probably only hook it in the lip. Good Luck
Banock

One more thing that I have learned, usually the best distance from the sinker to the bait is about 18", its a good starting point.
Banock

my choices are simple for the opener. Since the main lake will be colder I'll be fishing the edges in about 3 feet of water. The edge water is warmer and since it is warmer it has more insect activity and feeding fish.

My choice is a #12 black chronie under a very small stick-on indicator and a 4 wt fly rod.

Last time I did it, I put on a clinic for nearby trollers who cruised on in. It's hard to troll in 3 feet of water with out hanging up because of heavier lures and also scaring the fish. They tend to be spooky in skinny wter.

Fly= #8 egg-sucking leech in olive & black, tied on a #8 Dai-Riki 700B. This hook has a bend in it that provides outstanding action.
Lite-spin= A #6 Husky Jerk Rapala. It's a small plug at 2&1/2" long and 1/8oz. But the big fish hammer it.

I generally get on the water while it's till dark outside. I have found that the recently stocked fish are spread out all over the lake and near the surface at this time. As the light comes up, then I start looking deeper for them.

My plan is to start with the ultra light spinning rod rigged with a small spinner, with single barbless hook, capable of reflecting what little light is around. I'll also grab the bug rod and try some wooly buggers and leeches that have a nice big profile.

I like to anchor up in a good spot when I first get on the water. Then when the bite slows down, I'll move to a new spot and anchor where I see more fish on the finder. As a last resort, I'll start trolling, but prefer not to when the crowds are out like that.

Once the huge crowds die down (sometimes several days later), then I start hunting for fish using the finder, or sight fishing for fish in the shallows. This can be a blast with your fly rod or spinners. I can stand up fairly well in my fat bottom canoe, so I can use the trolling motor to sneak up and cast right to the fish. If they don't like the spinners, I can usually get then to take a fly.

If the fish are deep, I'll go to trolling small rapalas or flat fish. If I'm still not having luck, I'll go with ultra light pop gear and maybe worms or powerbait.

If you get short strikes while trolling flies or bait, I like to drop the tip quickly after the first tap, and let the fly/lure/bait stutter for a second as if stunned. I find the fish will generally nail it when I do this.

Good luck out there!!

My four weapons of choice for opening day are (in order):

1. trolling a frog colored Flatfish
2. tossing a gold colored Kastmaster
3. trolling orange Powerbait
4. trolling a Carey Special

thanks for the tip Banock!!

Don't forget that on the normal 'bait allowed' lakes, you can fish up to 3 hooks from the same line.

I've done this with both bait and fly fishing. It lets you try multiple baits/fly patterns (or size or color) and at different depths. You just have to be careful casting. Works best when bait fishing to use a slip bobber and stagger the hooks at least 18 inches apart. And remember that power bait floats, so make sure it is not floating up next to a non floating bait above it and mess things up.

For flies, a san juan worm, blood worm, chrimonid, carey special, hairs ear, prince, etc work great together (a combo of any 3). You can even throw in a damsel nymph, wooly bugger, or leech if you plan to do a slow troll. The trick is rigging things up for max efficiency. Just try a few things until you find a method that you like.

And if you find the fish zeroing in on a specific bait or fly, you can eventually switch back to just one, until the bite dies down, then start experimenting again.

Have fun out there!!

What I like to do on opening day is stay home away from all of the idiots. I won't go out to any lake until about the middle of the following week. That way I usually have the lake to myself. All of the power baiters will be gone and that way I can fly fish with no problem.

Just a grouchy old man. Jim S. :p

I'll definately be using powerbait from the shore. I like sherbert (pink/orange mixed) the best, but recently I've been using rainbow (orange, green, yellow) at a year round lake and it has worked equally as well as sherbert. I'll also reel the powerbait in slowly instead of just letting it sit like most people. Reeling it in sometimes works a lot better. Basically you just make one turn of your reel and let it sit for about 10 seconds then make another turn on your reel. This has worked way better for me than just letting it sit. Plus you are doing something.

If the fish are on the surface than I will use a worm under a bobber.

~ Dr Pepper

Aside from the fact that I side with Old Man about Opening Day and like to hit the year-around lakes early to up my chances for big fish, I like to go with:

1. Olive Woolly bugger for initial searching

2. Bead-head Chironomid pupa pattern, color to match the general tint of the water. If there is a hatch and, especially if fish are rising, one can hardly go wrong with this pattern. My biggest fish (18") of the year was on this one! Hookups were fast that day, and the fly had to be retired by the time I left the water. Very tough day at the office!