A Bull Trout, a Wood Plug, and an Islander MR3

A Morning on the Water

The fog was still clinging to the lake when I backed the drag off the MR3 and eased the cedar plug into the water, line humming as it slipped off the reel. The rhythmic drumming of the kicker filled the airwaves as the robust smell of coffee hit my nose; the first drops splashed into the mug. Before I could take a sip, the rod tip started dancing in the air; the reel started to scream. A Bull had found the plug. Out here, where the mountains lean over cold water, Bull trout still hunt the way they always have. 

There’s something special and old-school about chasing Bull trout with wooden plugs scarred over the years from teeth chipping away the paint. In an age of mass-produced plastics and ultra-tech tackle, a hand-made plug and a single-action made in Canada Islander MR3 mooching reel feels like fishing stripped down to its most honest form. It’s not just about catching a fish, it’s about the experience, the history, and the connection to water that still holds wild Bull trout.

Bulls are a predator through and through. Big fish that push into the high teens or even thirty inches long, aren’t sipping bugs on the surface, they’re hunting. Kokanee, whitefish, salmon fry, and even its own kind make up the bulk of their diet. That’s where plugs come into play.

A wood plug doesn’t flash or wobble; it pushes water, creates a vibration, and carries an almost living presence when made right. The old-timers carved them from cedar blocks in their basements, constantly tweaking their designs. Something that convinces both angler and fish.

The thing about Bull trout fishing with plugs is matching their meal. If the lake is loaded with kokanee, a four–inch plug is the ticket. Smaller presentations in the two to three-inch mimic salmon fry nicely. 

The MR3 Advantage

Pairing plugs with an Islander MR3 mooching reel is about more than brand loyalty; It’s about function. The Reel is designed for salmon mooching on the Pacific coast, but its buttery drag, and bulletproof build make it feel like it was designed with Bull trout in mind. The cork drag is smooth. No stick, no surge, just steady pressure when a Bull decides to torpedo straight down. I’ve had fifteen-pound fish dive for bottom like anchors, and the MR3 never hiccupped once.

The MR3’s anodized finish, simple single-action design, and precision machining stand up to heavy abuse from being knocked around in the boat, rain, and freezing temperatures with minimal maintenance. It’s the kind of reel you can fish for decades and hand down to your children with another lifetime or two’s worth of service still there. It ties the experience together in a way mass-produced imports just can’t.

Tactics for Fishing Plugs

One of the deadliest ways to present wood plugs for Bulls is using a downrigger. I have had luck year-round at all water depths, so trial and error are a big part of the game. I like starting out staggering the depths and watching my sonar for those big arches indicating the presence of monster fish who are likely keeping a watchful eye on schools of Kokanee. A good starting point is 40 and 60 feet deep, but dragging a plug on the surface 200 feet back has produced some of my biggest fish, even in the sweltering heat of August.

Speed is the second biggest contributor to success. Unlike trout who are more lure speed sensitive based off water temperature, I find big Bull trout trolling speeds relate to what they are feeding on. Bodies of water that have salmon runs tend to like a slower presentation in the 1.8-2.3mph as a large portion of their diet consists of slow-moving salmon fry. In landlocked water where their main food source is Kokanee, a quicker pace of 2.5-3mph is the key to hooking the big one. I have even had them hit at 4mph when rushing over to another spot, so don’t be afraid to put the pedal down.

Everyone who has or knows someone who drags these wood plugs has heard of tuning. For those who haven’t, this refers to adjusting the plug to get it to run true and straight, so the plug swims back and forth evenly. Because these beautiful works of art are typically hand made, there can be minor variations that cause the action to be off and need to be “tuned”. After years of experimenting with twisting the eyes, and using different knots, I have had the best luck using a non-slip loop knot. This knot allows the plug freedom to slide a little on the line, swimming naturally, and thus no tuning.

Line weight is also a big consideration. Too heavy and the drag of the line in the water will slow down the action of the plug. Lighter lines will allow the plug to dance all over with great action, but when that fish of a lifetime swallows and runs for the deep its predatory teeth have no problem slicing through it. I’ve had great success with 12-pound test, a good happy medium. 

Plug paint colour in clear water calls for subtle, natural patterns, silvers, browns, greens. Stained or high water lets you go bolder with candy corn, orange belly, even fluorescent chartreuse. Bull trout aren’t shy when they’re in feeding mode. I’ve had days where the ugliest, most beat-up plug in the box was the only thing they would touch.

The Hit and the Fight

A Bull trout strike is not polite. It’s not a nibble. It’s not a question… It’s like the lake itself grabbed the rod and tried to haul it overboard. The rod slams down, the MR3 starts singing, fish on! Suddenly, you’re tied to a fish built like a tank. Unlike Rainbows, Bull trout fights are often about pure strength and deep runs. They’ll bulldog into deeper water, refusing to give in and test your tackle in ways smaller trout never could. They don’t jump, but punish you with raw power and stubbornness. That’s where the MR3 earns its keep. Smooth, steady, no surprises, exactly what you want when you’re hooked to a heavyweight fish that doesn’t know the word quit. Many battles with these titans of the deep last 20 minutes or more, arm burners. Once beaten, you’re finally face-to-face, always a memorable moment. With a quick picture or two, it’s a handshake and a wave as they vanish into the deep, never seen again.

Closing Thoughts

Fishing wood plugs isn’t just a technique, it’s a tradition. Each plug is slightly different. Some run a touch deeper, some wobble wider, some kick hard on the pause. The more you fish them, the more confidence you gain in them. Many anglers name them, guard them, and pass them down like heirlooms. Pairing that tradition with the craftsmanship of an Islander reel is more than effective, it’s distinct. In a world of disposable gear, there’s something authentic about fishing with tools built to last and lures shaped by hand. Because in the end, it’s not about filling a cooler. It’s about fishing in a way that still feels wild. Wooden plugs, Canadian reels, fish that haven’t changed since the ice age. And if you’re lucky, maybe a story worth telling the next time the fog hangs low on the lake.

Cheat Sheet

Speed & Depth 

• Salmon Fry Water: 1.8-2.3mph
• Kokanee: 2.5-3mph
• Wild Strikes: Don’t be afraid to hit 4mph
• Downriggers: 40-60’ is a great starting point
• Surface runs: 200’ has produced some of my biggest fish

Tuning & Line

• Best success: Non-slip loop knot
• 12lb test = sweet spot
• Too heavy: kills action
• Too light: Bulls teeth can shred line

Plug Colour & Size

• Clear water: Subtle natural (silver, green, browns)
• Stained water: Go bold (chartreuse, orange, candy corn)
• Kokanee Imitation: 4”
• Salmon fry: 2-3” 

Todd Kelly is a photographer and outdoor writer with published work in BC Outdoors, Rokslide, Shuswap Travel Guide, Wild Sheep Society of BC, North Shuswap Chamber of Commerce, and Northwest Yachting. His photography earned him the 2025 Photographer of the Year award by the Wild Sheep Society of BC. When he’s not behind the camera or crafting articles, he shares his adventures and work on Instagram and YouTube @shuswapoutdoors.