Fishermen often find themselves stumped as to where to fish when confronted by large bodies of water. Most of the time the size of a lake or a river dictates the confidence level of an angler, especially on new bodies of water. Fortunately, for trout fishermen, the ability to target fish in small streams can lessen the confusion. Never underestimate the fishing ability of small streams.
Pools held within these waters may be hard to get to, but tend to hold fish. Another benefit of fishing off the beaten path is less pressured fish tend to bite more readily. Trout prefer cold, fast-moving water with high oxygen levels. Although trout can be caught at water falls and dams, these tend to be the most highly pressured areas. I recommend fishing these sites early, then moving on to your secluded honey holes.
Trout fishing can be easy at times, but for the most part is a lot of work. Unlike fishing in a lake, stream fishing can be quite complicated. Melting snow contains a variety of winter kill insects which find themselves in the streams. Because of this, you will find that trout aren’t as picky and will eat many different baits early in the season. While fish such as the large mouth bass, will eat a variety of forage on a given day for the entire season. In times of insect hatches, trout tend to gorge themselves on a particular bug exclusively.
As the water begins to warm, some species of aquatic insects begin to hatch. The non-fishermen only recognizes pesky insects on their windshield, trout fishermen see what the fish are feeding on. Experienced fishermen increase their odds by using a technique called, “matching the hatch.” Most anglers who use this technique are quite familiar with the different species of aquatic insects. To check the available forage for a particular days fishing, you need a micron screen or net. They’re used by being placed into the water and letting the current run through the net. The pores of the net are so small that aquatic life is unable to pass through. As insects age, they may go through several changes from egg to pupa, then larva, and finally adult. This can cause a wide variety of color and body shape changes that will directly dictate the bait you should use. For this reason fly fisherman are the most common group of anglers to produce their own lures. By researching the color and larval stages of insects, you may then tie matching patterns. Most streams contain the same type of insects although the colors may vary greatly. I recommend tying several varieties of each pattern, I also like to alter the size and color to be used to hopefully match the bugs you are seeing. I’ve also found hand-made spinners and worm harnesses to be quite useful in imitating baitfish and worms gone adrift. Either way you need to know what forage is most abundant and what color it is to make your decision.
Regardless of size, I’ve found that trout tend to hit the bait and drop it quickly. I’ve learned to set the hook at the lightest bump. A quick reaction time will catch you more fish, but can also be problematic at times in the form of snags. I tend to get snagged and lose more hooks, lures and flies fishing for trout than any other species. The tight proximity to trees while casting flies along with underwater rocks and debris can rob the tackle of the most experienced trout fisherman. This is probably another reason so many trout fisherman use home-made lures.
If you aren’t going to keep the fish, try to land it quickly as not to stress it. Be sure to wet your hands before touching trout; dry hands remove their protective coating. You can release the fish without touching it by using a pair of hemostats to dislodge the hook while the fish is still in the water. If you don’t keep fish please, use barbless hooks as this greatly decreases injuries to the gills which tends to kill the fish.
Monday, April 1 was the opening day of trout season, and those able to go fishing woke up to find high, fast moving, and muddy water conditions. With rain and snow being driven by some pretty nasty winds, it felt more like the April Fools joke was on the fishermen rather than the fish. I was only able to catch one trout fishing from sunrise till around noon. Like most fishermen, I am not going to tell you where I got him, and sorry, the picture won’t help either. Had to have another angler take the picture being that I was alone on the stream where I actually caught the fish.
Good wishes and fish on!