Trout are a favorite of many anglers and are commonly stocked in rivers, streams and lakes. If you want to catch trout, it's important to know the right tactics and techniques.
Fishing for trout requires a good understanding of the water, equipment and flies you're using. Whether you're fishing in a river or a lake, follow these six trout fishing tips to increase your success.
Reading your water is one of the most important skills you can develop for trout fishing. It will help you identify areas in a stream where fish tend to hold.
Trout prefer to be in certain parts of a river for different reasons. For instance, trout need to breathe so they will tend to be near areas that have more oxygen.
For this reason, you should always know the current speed of the water when you’re fishing. This will help you know where trout are hiding and whether they are eating or avoiding food.
Having the right trout fishing equipment can make all the difference. It doesn’t have to be expensive or take up much room, but you’ll need some essential items that you won’t want to miss.
For example, hats and sunglasses help keep the sun out of your eyes while wading and can also help you see underwater factors like ledges and fish-holding areas.
Another important piece of equipment is a landing net, which makes it easier to release your trout. Trout are active and slippery, and most modern nets are snagger-resistant.
Choosing flies is a vital part of trout fishing, and knowing your fly can make the difference between success and failure. It can be overwhelming, but a basic understanding of the different types and sub-types of flies can be helpful to you.
For example, dry flies are one of the most popular patterns for trout fishing. They are an attractive and effective way to get a fish's attention and encourage them to take your fly.
Nymphs are another type of fly that can be a productive way to catch trout. They can be a great choice for small streams or where there are no large hatches.
When it comes to lures, trout fishers have a variety of options. These include spinners, spoons, jigs, plugs or crankbaits that mimic their natural food sources.
These types of lures can imitate everything from minnows to crayfish and other smaller aquatic insects. Trout have very good eyesight and will react to the movement of a wobbling or swimming lure just as they would to an injured bait fish.
Another type of lure that works well for trout is soft plastics. These lures resemble the swimming motion of wounded baitfish and will draw trout in even if they aren’t actively hunting.
Trout are finicky feeders, and presenting the right bait at the right time can make all the difference. This is why knowing your rigs is so important.
Whether you're fishing for trout in a lake or stream, there are several different rigs that are specifically tailored to various situations. Understanding which rigs are best for your location and the type of trout you're targeting can dramatically improve your success rate!
For instance, the Carolina rig is ideal for fishing near the bottom. This rig is a combination of a plastic lure and a heavy sinker that allows the bait to sink to the bottom.
You might not think your location is important when you go trout fishing, but knowing where trout prefer to rest and feed will help you catch more fish. Areas that are good for trout include inlets, reefs and drop-offs.
Trout love to cruise pools in search of food. Streams and rivers with pools tend to slow down after entering a riffle, creating a natural funnel that brings anything drifting downstream right to the trout.
An eddy is an area of the river where structure like a log or boulder blocks the current flow and influences it in a specific direction. A pocket of swirling water will form opposite the main current and Trout love to sit in eddies because they trap insects that are drifting along in the main flow.