| Big, hooked-nosed, brown trout are found in | | | | are able to hide, have access to food lanes and |
| many trout streams. These trophy trout are | | | | don't need to fight strong currents. The attractive |
| more plentiful than is generally believed, but | | | | locations are deep cut banks and ledges, log jams, |
| they're not caught as easily as smaller trout, | | | | boulders or points of islands where flow is |
| chiefly because they feed almost exclusively on | | | | reduced. |
| minnows and are extremely wary. Fishermen | | | | The minnow fisherman flips his bait toward such |
| occasionally latch onto trophy brown trout when | | | | locations and retrieves it in such a way as to |
| using worm baits immediately after sudden rains | | | | simulate the action of a cripple. Four to six split |
| that raise and rile the streams. Now and then one | | | | shot are added to the line to keep the bait close |
| is caught on a well-retrieved spinner or spoon. | | | | to the bottom. Having failed to get a strike at a |
| But most tackle-busters are taken by fishermen | | | | likely pool or riffle, the angler approaches the spot |
| who aim especially for big trout by, first, handling | | | | from a different angle on the next occasion. |
| a minnow bait properly; second, recognizing the | | | | TACKLE |
| best places in streams harboring big trout; and, | | | | Trophy-class brown trout can really smash tackle. |
| third, using proper tackle. Let's examine each of | | | | Living beneath banks and ledges, they are |
| these points. | | | | experts at entangling lines and leaders around |
| BAITS | | | | roots, rocks, and in crevices. Six to |
| Big brownies that have grown to hooked-jaw | | | | eight-pound-test fishing line is a good size for |
| proportions want food in mouth-sized quantities. | | | | fly-rod leaders or spinning line. This line is sewn |
| They will rise occasionally for a surface fly or | | | | through or wrapped around the minnows body |
| grub, but, as a rule, they prefer minnows as the | | | | and fastened to a No. 4 hook. Split shot is added |
| chief item on their menu. It requires less energy | | | | to the line, 18-inches above the bait, to keep the |
| for them to lie hidden beneath an undercut bank | | | | bait on bottom even in the swiftest current. Rods |
| and dart out to seize a minnow when one swims | | | | of medium action are best and a landing net is |
| into view. They are constantly on the alert for a | | | | essential. |
| crippled minnow, which can be caught without too | | | | And remember, your clothing is important. Big |
| much exertion. | | | | trout are wary of shadows, noises and |
| The minnow fisherman sews a minnow to the | | | | movements. The skilled fisherman uses the sun to |
| hook in such a manner that it rolls or spins slowly | | | | his advantage by fishing on the sunny side of the |
| when retrieved through the current. With just | | | | creek, so that the fish are blinded by the bright |
| enough weight added to the line to carry the bait | | | | light. He dresses in subdued colors, such as brown |
| down to the bottom, the fisherman works | | | | or green, which blend with the shoreline. |
| pockets that big fish normally inhabit. When a big | | | | It's a thrilling experience to hook, battle, and finally |
| trout is hooked, don't hurry it. Follow it | | | | land one of these trophy browns. The action can |
| downstream if you have to. | | | | be fast and furious. It's a long, drawn-out battle; |
| HABITAT | | | | one that any fisherman will long remember. |
| Big browns pick locations in streams where they | | | | |