Re: [VFB] Fishfinders vs. Blue Ribbon Trout Waters

[StevenOjai]

I find that fishfinders have a use within lakes,  particularly lakes with severe dropoffs, springs, and old channels. Many times the ability to "find" fish is not the main reason for utilizing a fish finder. You can usually "find" fish in many places without having a good chance of getting the fish to hit the fly.  Finding non-fish attributes such as cooler temperature spots or particular depths which match your sinking line rig will become more important. Tom Tully brought up Crowley Lake in the Eastern Sierras as an example. There were some guides this summer who were consistently getting the majority of the hits while midging at McGee Bay. Taking a fishfinder over the "hot" spot one could find a 2-3 degree drop in water temperature. Obviously, the guides keyed upon temperature in order to find a proper midging location.
Steve Schalla