| Catching trout as you may already know is a lot | | | | the preparations. Some of these are actually |
| different than fishing for trout. So, what are the | | | | natural products such as cheese formulas. Some |
| basics you should know to get started making the | | | | of the more famous are artificial compounds, such |
| transition from fishing for trout to catching trout? | | | | as the Berkeley Powerbait product line. I have had |
| It's all about knowledge of the bodies of water | | | | much success with the Powerbait line as there |
| you will be fishing and about knowledge of the | | | | seems to be a color that will work most |
| species you will be targeting. There are many | | | | anywhere. The Powerbait line is also available in a |
| variables in play, and what works one day may | | | | paste or in nuggets. The paste can be messy. |
| not be the least bit effective the next. | | | | The starting place for spin fishermen targeting |
| There are three basic species of trout I will be | | | | trout is usually the Mepps spinners and Blue Fox |
| assuming the reader might be interested in. The | | | | spinners. However, there are a multitude of other |
| most common is the rainbow trout, followed by | | | | lures that will produce trout. For example, a killer |
| the brown and brook trout. There are other | | | | lure in many rivers is a small crawdad imitation |
| types and subspecies of these fish, but confining | | | | lure. Rebel manufactures several that work very |
| discussion to these three is where we will start. | | | | well. Other crankbaits are affective in places and |
| Are there commonalities to the three? The | | | | in some areas, such as the White River of |
| answer is yes. | | | | Arkansas, some surface lures will work for large |
| All three are cold water fish. A general rule of | | | | Browns. Often they are used at night. The other |
| thumb is that these fish get in trouble in water | | | | category of lures used by spin fishermen (as well |
| temperatures over 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This is | | | | as fly fishermen) is jigs. The marabou jig is a |
| not to say that if a body of water briefly reaches | | | | staple of many fishermen's tackle selection. The |
| this level there will be a mass fish kill, but you can | | | | smaller the better is usually the best bet. I have |
| be certain that these fish all prefer cooler waters | | | | had much success on 1/64th oz jigs on spinning |
| and their feeding habits will be highly affected | | | | gear and even smaller fly fishing. |
| when temperatures get close to this level. | | | | A gray area as to whether it can be used in |
| The real issue is oxygen levels which are inversely | | | | "artificials only" or "fly areas" is plastics or soft |
| related to the temperature. One caveat to this is | | | | baits. Be very careful on these regs. There are |
| that moving water increases oxygen levels for a | | | | artificial trout worms that can work very well. |
| given temperature of water. Another caveat is | | | | Pink and white seem to be popular colors. |
| that there are anomalies to this rule in certain | | | | Normally they are bounced along the bottom of a |
| areas such as the Firehole River in Yellowstone | | | | stream. |
| National Park. | | | | When it comes to fly fishing, we have produced a |
| Let's start with bait fishing for trout. There are | | | | nice beginners tutorial. I would direct you to the |
| some areas where this is not allowed and you | | | | resource box below for that. Also, on our main |
| must know the regulations where you will be | | | | fishing page, you will find a wealth of additional tips |
| fishing. The reasons the rules are in place are | | | | that can help you get started, whether it be |
| usually to protect a fishery. Do not violate these | | | | places to go or how to fish them. |
| rules because for one thing, the legal | | | | One last tip I will throw out that I have learned |
| consequences are bad and also because ethically it | | | | over a long period of time. If you find a location |
| is up to fishermen to help protect their resources. | | | | you know is holding fish and they are not overly |
| The baits that are used fall into two categories, | | | | skittish, fish that location until you figure out what |
| natural and artificial. Natural would be things like | | | | works. I have seen many fishermen running a |
| worms, salmon eggs, crawdads and minnows. | | | | track meet up and down stream banks or wading. |
| These are some of the main choices and there | | | | Doing this introduces too many variables until you |
| are additional ones as well. Generally speaking, | | | | really become familiar with the area. |
| these baits are fished on a relatively small hook, | | | | Staying put allows you to go through all the |
| say size 6-12. By the way, larger numbers | | | | offerings you have to try. Something will likely |
| designate smaller hook sizes. I have not found | | | | work. Also, sometimes it will seem like someone |
| that leadered hooks are generally necessary. | | | | turned on a light switch for the fish for no |
| Depending on whether you are bottom fishing a | | | | explicable reason. I have tried everything and |
| lake, bouncing bait along the bottom of a stream, | | | | come back to a certain bait, fly, or lure and all of |
| or trying to keep your bait off the bottom will | | | | a sudden caught one fish after another. Once, I |
| dictate whether you want to use a bobber/strike | | | | had gone hours without a landed fish. I came back |
| indicator. Usually you will want to include a split | | | | to a fly pattern I had already tried and within |
| shot six inches to a foot above your bait. Use the | | | | fifteen minutes landed my daily limit. In fact, while |
| smallest you can get away with to get your bait | | | | I stringered my last fish and my fly barely |
| to the desired depth. | | | | dangled in the water, I hooked one over my limit. |
| The other category of what is considered bait is | | | | I released him immediately needless to say. |