| Drift Fishing for trout is one of the most popular | | | | you need. You will also need a 6' to 7' medium |
| methods use by anglers fishing in small streams. | | | | action rod with a light spinning reel spooled with 4 |
| Drift fishing is more effective when using live | | | | to 6 lb test line, an assortment of split shots as |
| natural bait such as Immature Aquatic Insects | | | | well as an assortment of small hooks. |
| (Stonefly nymphs and dobsonfly larvae ) | | | | Tip: tie your hooks on your line, do not use |
| Terrestrial Insects (grasshoppers and crickets) | | | | swivels. It's important to present your bait as |
| Crustations ( crayfish ), eggs and earthworms. | | | | naturally as possible. |
| Tip: use stonefly nymphs in midsummer; | | | | Tip: try to use line that best matches the color of |
| dobsonfly larvae (Hellgramites) in spring and early | | | | the water you are fishing. |
| summer | | | | Technique |
| Tip: use grasshoppers in the late summer | | | | The idea of drift fishing is to present the bait to |
| Plan of attack | | | | the trout so it looks natural. If you are an |
| As you walk up to the bank of the stream you | | | | inexperienced angler this may take a bit of |
| should be looking at the water to see what type | | | | practice, but, don't get discouraged have fun with |
| of structure may be holding trout such as, large | | | | it. Always position yourself so you are walking |
| rocks, trees that have fallen into the water, riffles | | | | upstream. Trout feed facing upstream to take |
| or shallow rapids, eddies, runs, undercuts or | | | | advantage of the food coming down stream. It is |
| anything that may hold fish. With this information | | | | to your advantage to walk up behind the fish. |
| you can plan how your going to approach each of | | | | Next cast your bait upstream and let the current |
| these holding spots. Taking the time to plan your | | | | bring it downstream so it naturally drifts into the |
| strategy will dramatically increase your chances of | | | | area you want to fish. I will usually make at least |
| catching more fish opposed to just plunging into | | | | 3 to 4 good cast on each structure before slowly |
| the water and scaring the fish away. | | | | and strategically move on. |
| Gear | | | | Tip: when hooking your bait only hook it once at |
| For early season when the water is still a bit cold | | | | or near the head; make it look natural do not gob |
| I would wear waders. Once it warmed up just | | | | bait on your hook. You don't need large bait for |
| give me a pair of creek sneaks and a pair of | | | | trout. The colder the water the smaller the bait. |
| shorts and I was good to go for the day. I guess | | | | When fishing large stones make sure to fish in |
| that's the country boy in me. It is important to | | | | front of and behind the stone. Also sometime |
| carry all your tackle with you. Once you walk in | | | | trout will take a rest in an eddie just off the fast |
| the stream you don't want to risk spooking the | | | | moving water. Take a couple of cast upstream |
| trout by continuously walking back to shore for | | | | so your bait naturally floats in the eddie. Let it set |
| bait or to re-rig your rod. For this I would | | | | for a couple of minutes then repeat a couple |
| recommend a fishing vest that will hold everything | | | | more time before moving on. |