Muir Lake- Alberta
During a weekend of intermitent showers and thunder strorms I managed to sample a developing rainbow trout 
fishery.
Located about 15 minutes from Edmonton this small, weedy pothole lake was subject to frequent winter kills wiping out any stockings. Over the last couple of years aerators have been placed in several of these winter kill prone lakes and the results have been great. Combined with special regulations and single fish limits this lake is being managed to produce trophy rainbow trout.
I kicked my way around this small lake in my new Day Tripper working a small black chironamid pattern along the edges of massive cabbage weed beds. Strikes were usually obtained through a slow troll with small jerks or lifting of the rod or by sight fishing to the surface disturbances of feeding trout. I like using a long leader of about 12′ of 8 lb followed by about 4-6′ of 4- 6lb tippet. The one thing I’ve had to learn about tube fishing is the position of the rod on the backcast. Your motion has stop just past 12:00 o’clock or your will be slapping the water behind you with your fly. There’s plenty of wild life around the lake with, beaver, herons, osprey, ducks,loons and deer.
You can fish from shore but the best way to get the most from this body of water is from a pontoon or tube. This is only the second year of stocking and some trout are averaging between 14" and 17". Early in the morning or early evening seems to be when these rainbows are most active. Muir has definetely peaked my curiosity for stillwaters and there are several other lakes with in 45 minutes of Edmonton that I’ll be "Day Tripp’n" to…..only 4 days to plan out the lakes for the long weekend, decisions, decisions. Tight Lines. Mosbos.
