How do you fish for smelt at night at Oliver?

[btoenges]

I'm thinking next weekend I'll try fishing at night for smelt at Oliver.  Has anybody done this before?  If so when was the last time you caught any? How do you do it?

[A- bomb]

Not sure there are many left in there. A couple trout groups watched it for a count and i heard they drew a blank. They blame the decline on the lakers stocked in the late 1980's.  If that didn't do it the browns will finish it.  Haven't really seen any since i was in high school,1987. Use to see a few floating in the heat of summer or have a smallie cough up a few.
As long as they keep putting in the pike and big bass food i'm happy!! (rainbows)
Were going next weekend for a mini tip up fest.

[btoenges]

Hey A-bomb,  I hear that you have a few stories about Oliver.  Could you e-mail me so I can ask you a few questions?  My e-mail is [email protected]

Thanks,
Buck

[A- bomb]

 
     
         

[hardysf]

Where is oliver?

[A- bomb]

Take 9 out of rome city about 8 miles. turn left on 450s (i think) its well marked.
due west of adams lake. Mostly fished for  stocked Rainbows and hold overs. Browns have been planted recently. MUST BE 18" TO KEEP A BROWN. Better to let them swim as they are doing well and growing well.
Alot of nice bows milling around.Some nice gills if you can find 'em.   

[tightliner812]

What do you have to do to catch the trout this time of year ? I have cought them in the summer but have never tried it in the winter.

[btoenges]

Most guys fish them through the ice.

Just kidding, The outlet pond on the west end is were most people fish.  People also fish the western bay and over in Olin where the trail gets close to the water on the west end.  On Martin most fellows fish the small bay by smith hole.  I fish the east side because thats where I live.  Let me know if you catch any browns or brookies.  I am really interested in Brookies.

Thanks,
Buck

[taxi1]

What do you have to do to catch the trout this time of year ? I have cought them in the summer but have never tried it in the winter.

Like Buck said the outlet pond on Oliver (southwest area of the lake) can be good for trout. Last time I ice fished for trout there I vertical jigged with a kastmaster, rapala etc. A tip up set with a small shiner just below the ice or just off the bottom can produce too. An 8 lb. brown was caught there two years ago. Most likely originally planted by NEITA of which both B. Toenges and I are members. Remember if you want browns in Oliver and Clear the the state won't do it. NEITA is doing it out of their own funds. Help by joining if you want browns.

Year's ago I had good luck catching rainbows on Martin with shiners just below the ice using  a tip up.

And as Buck elluded to we planted brooks a year to two years ago. If you see any or catch any we'd be happy to know.

[A- bomb]

1) 4-6 # line on a reel with a good Drag.
2) Early am hit the flats and weed lines. They are very spooky in the shallow water,drill early and be quiet.
after like 10 hit the deep water and run and gun with the vex. Have seen days they are 5 ft under the ice (cloudy) and days they are 30 ft down over 60.Jiggin raps are about the best cover lure. tip ups w/ crappie minows spread all over helps too. Usually they all run about the same depths so when you start marking them re-set your tip ups.
 While watching in the shantie it seems like they travel in little packs of 10-15 fish.You can see dn like 20 ft. I see alot of them come in and stare at a minnow for a few minutes and  then race over and smack a rap or pimple dropped down??
There are a lot of hold overs and man do they fight. Never got on last year due to lack of ice
Baits: white tubes,jiggin raps, swedish pimple and rockers tipped withwaxxies, spikes or minnows. I have some new forage minnow spoons i can't wait to use.

[bgause]

Ive fished the chain a lot in the summers and had decent success for the bows at night. We like to get on just as the sun goes down and stay on till well after it
comes back up.

Im considering trying there this weekend. Problem is I dont have tip ups (might try to get one or two by then but I doubt it) nor do I have a flasher. So if I end up there I will probably just have to rely on dumb luck. Pick an area that I hope has some fish....drill a hole, drop a lure and wait.

[goggleye57]

Does Oliver have good ice yet? Its usually one of the last lakes in the area to freeze.

[A- bomb]

If its not froze yet its anti frzze in that water!!!
But just in case i'll swing by and check it tues and get back!!

[tightliner812]

Hey thanks for the trout tips i might have to give it a try sone time this year . a good fight on light tackle is allways fun and it would be something new for me.

[kesdadddy7597]

My friend's dad has done a lot of work in the past for a house directly across from the access channel.  He used to catch nice trout all of the time in the channels across the lake and then off of that break outside of those channels.  I was wondering if it is usually safe to walk across the middle from the channel of the access??

[A- bomb]

Usually the basin freezes over at the same time so i would say it should be, if the ice is thick enough
I would take the lazy route and just drive over to the access its closer and easier.
I will not fish the channel west of thhe campground. as its a dark, muddy heat holder with some current. little spooky 4 me.