| In my mind the only way trout should be fished | | | | to fish when you are on the river. A live worm |
| for is by drift fishing. When I use the term 'drift | | | | that has been rigged on a set of gang hooks and |
| fishing' I'm referring specifically to the method in | | | | is allowed to flow naturally with the current of a |
| which your offering is presented to the trout. To | | | | small river is a deadly drift fishing technique for |
| some trout fishermen the term 'drift fishing' | | | | trout. |
| refers to fishing for trout from a drift boat, but | | | | If you choose to use live worms as bait while |
| this is not the kind of fishing that I'm referring to. | | | | drift fishing for trout, it is very important that you |
| To me "drift fishing for trout" means wading in | | | | have an effective way to carry those worms |
| small rivers and presenting your offerings by | | | | with you. This is where a worm carrier comes |
| drifting said offerings through the current. | | | | into play. A worm carrier is just a small bag that |
| These tips and techniques can be modified slightly | | | | hangs from your fishing vest and carries you |
| for trout fishing in various other fishing situations | | | | worms while fishing and wading. This is extremely |
| as well. When fishing for trout in this manner, the | | | | helpful when wading and fishing for trout in any |
| first thing to keep in mind in small rivers is the | | | | small river. With a worm carrier baiting up and |
| pound test fishing line that you use. Small trout | | | | re-baiting literally takes seconds giving you much |
| rivers are normally very clear and if you use | | | | more time with your line in the water where the |
| fishing line that's too heavy the trout will see it | | | | trout are rather than out of the water while you |
| and tend not to bite your offering. I suggest (and | | | | fumble around with your worms. |
| have used for more than 20 years) four pound | | | | Small spinners and spoons are also very effective |
| test monofilament for trout fishing in this manner. | | | | baits to use when drift fishing for trout. An |
| Four pound test monofilament is the perfect | | | | effective technique is to cast your spinner or |
| pound test for drift fishing in small rivers. Six | | | | spoon into the current and then let it flow or drift |
| pound test is passable, but four pound test is ideal. | | | | with the current while "snapping" or "jigging" your |
| When drift fishing for trout my bait of choice is | | | | rod tip as it flows. Many times trout will fall for |
| live worms, and the way in which live worms are | | | | this trick when drift fishing with small spinners and |
| presented to the trout is of the utmost | | | | spoons. |
| importance. This is where pre tied gang hooks | | | | Add one (or all) of these drift fishing tips and/or |
| come into play. I say pre-tied simply because | | | | techniques to your trout fishing repertoire sooner |
| tying gang hooks as needed on the river is a | | | | rather than later and you will become a much |
| HUGE waste of valuable fishing time. It is always | | | | more successful trout fisherman. |
| better to have your gang hooks tied and ready | | | | |