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THE ESSENTIAL TROUT

FISHING GUIDE

The Secrets Professionals

Refuse To Share

Copyright © 2008 by Centurion Marketing Group

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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1

So Many Trout, So Little Time

It’s true! There really are so many trout and not nearly enough time to fish them all. Just ask any avid trout angler. Not only are there “so many trout” in sheer numbers, but there are, in addition, so many species of trout.

And if you’re an enthusiastic fisherman this gives you incredible pleasure, not to mention untold hours of fishing experience. No matter when you fish — and even where y ou fish —you stand a good chance of coming nose to nose with a trout. That is, if you can outsmart him!

Learning about the various species can aid you tremendously the next time you’re in the stream or on that lake fishing. After all, if you know a little about their behavior then you really are learning about how they think. And then, just maybe, you’ll be able to outwit them.

Think about bringing not one but several trout home or back to the campsite at the end of the fishing day. Your family will be thrilled. And if you’re fishing or camping with other anglers, they’ll be…well…yeah, jealous! (And yes, you wouldn’t have it any other way!) Since there are so many trout, just where do we start to talk about them? For no apparent reason other than I find this particular species beautiful and fascinating, let’s start with rainbow trout.

THE WELL-TRAVELED TROUT:

And the reason for this is easy enough to

THE RAINBOW

understand. These fish are easy to “transplant”. In

fact, just about every place the rainbow trout is

If I were to draw a cartoon with a rainbow trout in currently living is because he has been “transplanted”

it, the fish would have a suitcase in his hand. Why? there — either intentionally or unintentionally.

Because, quite frankly, he’s just that well travelled. By

this I mean he was first spotted in the rivers along

No matter the reasons for their world traveler

the west coast of the United States. Today, the species status, this fish is now the most popular of all trout is not only living throughout this country, but has types found in the world today. As you might guess, also taken up residence in South America, Europe just as an aside, this fish is also the most sought-and even New Zealand and Australia.

after by anglers worldwide.

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THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

LET’S TALK “FLYING” FISH

THE BROWN TROUT

But he’s also famous — or should I say infamous — ANOTHER WORLD-WIDE TRAVELER

for two more reasons. If you ever hook one when fly

It’s true. The brown trout is found in abundance

fishing, hang on to your fishing vest for the ride of throughout the world. Originally a European and your life. Once hooked, he is all about demonstrating Asian fish, this trout eventually found his way to his acrobatic prowess and his distance running skills. North American, South America and New Zealand.

If you don’t believe me, just consider this stunning

In the U.S., you’ll have a hard time not finding

statistic about the rainbow. A moderately sized them in locations like the Rocky Mountains and in rainbow can accelerate from a “standstill” position the trout streams of the Midwest and East.

to nearly 23 miles per hour in one second. Wow!

These fish are renowned among anglers for their

Not only that, but he can maintain that incredible intelligence and cunning. Don’t even think for a speed long enough to strip nearly 100 yards of line moment that you can use your simple fishing tactics and backing off your reel. Now do you see why so that are tried and true for other fish on this one. Oh, many anglers love to fish for trout? It’s like fishing no.

and a NASCAR race all bound up in one sport!

You can just imagine how even veteran anglers

“THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY”

can become frustrated in search of the venerable

W

brown trout. But this is what keeps the avid fisherman

ITHIN SECONDS!

going — the desire to outsmart that elusive brown

This also explains why so many fishermen lose a trout.

rainbow within the first several seconds of one getting

The problem is not merely one of getting a brown

hooked on their line. If you really take a good look trout to bite and actually hooking him. Hooking him at the situation, you should probably consider it a is only half of the battle. It’s what happens after this miracle that any angler catches a rainbow!

guy is hooked that excites the real fly fisherman.

Then there’s the feast or famine trait in them. At

least that’s what I call it. They’re notorious for being PREPARE FOR THE

selective in the food they eat. On the other hand, O

there are periods when they’ll go on a food frenzy

BSTACLE COURSE OF FISHING

that make sharks look like they have the best “table

Unlike his cousin the rainbow who dances in a

manners” in the ocean.

hundred different directions showing off his acrobatic

talents, the brown trout almost always makes a beeline

And don’t worry. You’ll know a rainbow when for the nearest obstacle in the river. And then from you see it. This fish is quite noticeable by the red there, discovers nearly every other one! His goal is stripe that graces the length of his body, from the gill quite simple: to entangle and eventually snap your plates to the tail. And if this weren’t enough, the line.

rainbow literally has hundreds of black spots covering

his dorsal portion (what many just call the back side)

of his body.

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THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

If he can’t do that, he figures he’ll make these

With all these things going for him, many believe

monstrous runs even taking to the air if he has to.

that it’s not impossible to envision the brown trout

as the predominant trout in years to come.

The bottom line is that a brown trout will run

himself ragged trying to break free from your line.

And more often than an angler cares to admit, the THE ELUSIVE GOLDEN TROUT

brown trout is successful!

No species could be any more different from the

In terms of size, this species of fish is a little larger rainbow and the brown in terms of locations than than his rainbow cousin. Part of the reason for their their cousin the Golden Trout. You won’t find this size is their ability to live in warmer water, which guy wandering the world. He likes nothing better contains more nutrients than cold water (who knew?) than to stay in a very limited area, found only in the high alpine lakes and streams of the Rocky Mountains

You’ll recognize this trout because he’s more of a and the Cascades.

butter color along the sides with black and red spots

following the lateral line of his body.

Because of this, finding “good” golden trout is

not one of the easier goals of the angler. To fulfill

Many people simply don’t care for the colorings this goal, you may find yourself hiking a long way to of this trout, even calling him “ugly”. (Doesn’t seem a secluded lake or you may even discover you need to faze him one bit, though!) This is especially true to horse pack in (no, I’m not kidding about that one!).

when he’s being compared to his cousin the rainbow

trout.

These fish are small. After all, they live in very

cold water with few nutrients.

Of course, once you’ve successfully hooked one

of these guys, you’ll probably consider him one of WELL WORTH THE EFFORT

the prettiest fish in the world.

Before you get discouraged, you must know that

M

the trout is definitely worth the “hunt”. Despite the

AYBE YOU BETTER

low fishing pressure they receive, what seems to be a

GET USED TO HIM

trait of their species — being difficult to catch — can

also hold true for this particular type as well.

Some experts predict that this particular species

may become the most dominant and plentiful in the

In the case of the elusive golden trout, it is,

next several years — and there’s some logic to this surprisingly, a little choosey about what it eats. Oh, thinking. For one thing, they are remarkably resilient. and perhaps I should warn you right now that even They also have an extremely strong survival instinct. if you do find what you think is a nice secluded alpine lake or river, don’t count on there even being

Another advantage is their love of the warmer trout in them. Not every body of water in this category waters. Many trout prefer the colder waters. Then can actually be counted on to contain golden trout.

consider the fact that this particular species is I hate to be the messenger of bad news, but…

remarkably resistant to Whirling Disease. This disorder,

caused by a parasite, creates a deformation in the

Yes, you may have hiked all the way to this

fish’s skeleton as well as neurological damage that beautiful lake to find it absolutely barren of golden makes the fish chase its tail, whirling in circles.

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THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

trout. (But wasn’t it great exercise and simply

And as you can probably guess, it takes quite a

wonderful communing with nature?)

bit of effort to reach these locations.

P

Because they are so isolated, the cutthroat doesn’t

HYSICAL APPEARANCE

receive a lot of fly-fishing pressure. This, is turn, makes

Don’t worry that you won’t recognize one of these them a little easier to catch than their relatives the guys when you see one. They are, indeed, aptly golden trout and brown trout.

named. Golden in color, these trout can’t be mistaken

This trout doesn’t possess the aerial agility and

for any other fish. They also have a splattering of the other physical attributes of its cousins, so they black spots as well as red striping along their lateral are easier to bring in once they’re hooked.

lines, bellies and even their gill plates.

So just how do you know when you’re looking at

Many fishing enthusiasts ask that if you actually one of these guys? First, they can be identified by find and catch a golden trout, that you don’t reel two red slashes on the outside and under its lower him in and eat him. They ask that you simply “catch jaw. Beyond this, their sides are a brownish yellow and release” him. Yes, they really are becoming just highlighted with black spots.

that rare.

Of course, these fish can have several other

Besides, in the same waters you can fish brook colorings as well. This is due to the crossbreeding trout. More of this fish exist and according to many, that has occurred among them, the rainbow and the the brook trout just taste better!

brown. The cross breeding not only occurred naturally

in the wild, but in hatcheries as well. And the end

THE CUTTHROAT TROUT:

result is usually called the “cut-bow” trout.

SOUNDS LIKE A CRIMINAL

WHEN IS A TROUT

Meet the original trout of the Rocky Mountains —

the Cutthroat Trout. And I do mean original. They NOT A TROUT?

are native to the western half of the United States.

When it’s a char, of course! It’s true. Some species

Well, meet a Cutthroat if you can. Elusive like the of fish are naturally called trout and described as Golden, the Cutthroat is found predominantly in only trout, but aren’t really trout at all. And for those of remote and pristine locations. They tend not to do you in the Midwest and East, this revelation may so well in the more competitive climates. This is hurt your pride a bit.

especially true in areas which contain predatory fish,

That’s the exact position the brook trout finds itself

like the Pike.

in. It’s not really a trout at all. Instead it belongs the

Because of this, you’ll discover the actual range of Char family. This family also include the Dolly Varden the cutthroat has been pushed back over the last (and get this!) the Lake Trout. Go figure.

several years. Oh sure, you’ll still find them in

I’m still including it in the trout family. After all, the

reasonably large numbers in many of Montana’s rivers, brook trout is to the Eastern United States what the but the best fishing experience, anglers agree, is to Cutthroat is to the west. You’ll find the brook not only be discovered deep in the backcountry in isolated in the Midwest and along the East Coast of the United mountain lakes and streams.

States, but all the way up into Canada as well.

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Brook trout love clear, cold waters. And as you

Scattered throughout this background, you can’t

might guess, they are small fish because of this. They help but notice highlights of red, orange and even also have shorter life spans than many of their distant cream spots. His fins are edged in white. And take a cousins, the rainbow and brown.

peek at the underbelly in the midst of spawning

season — he turns a magnificent orange-red color!

Now having said that the fish live in the East, I

must now tell you that the brook trout have also

Of course, it only makes sense that you can

been “transplanted” to the Rocky Mountain area as physically identify the fish you’re trying to catch. But, well. Not only that, but most of the very best brook let’s dig a little deeper into the psyche of the trout.

trout fishing is found in the west. Ironic, isn’t it?

Well, at least into his senses. It’s also vital if you’re to

be a successful trout angler, that you know a little

That’s because many of the coldest streams and about how their three main senses work as well. I’m rivers are no longer found in the East. Instead, you’ll talking smell, sight and hearing.

discover these in the western United States. And if

you really want to make an unforgettable fishing trip

I think I’ve already demonstrated that the trout is

out of it, try fishing in Argentina. Yeah, I’m serious. a smart fish. And to be successful in trout fishing, This South American country is now home to some you really have to out-fish the fish, if you will.

of the largest brook trout in the world.

Knowing how this fish uses his three main senses

can only help you in this regard.

Their relatively small size isn’t all due to the cold,

nutrient-deprived waters they live in. Part of it is also

due to over planting. While it may sound like HATCHERY TROUT

something you do to tomatoes, it applies to fish as VS. WILD TROUT

well.

Let me make one exception to this generalization.

These fish have been transplanted everywhere and There appears to be, believe it or not, a vast difference so well stocked that there are often too many of in the thinking processes (if I may call it that) of them in one body of water. And of course that stunts hatchery trout and wild trout. For the most part, their growth.

hatchery trout are not quite as “smart”. And I do

hesitate to label them this way.

NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS . . .

Perhaps because they weren’t born in the wild,

And yes there are some! Their plentiful numbers they don’t possess the same instincts in the wild as make them easy to catch. Isn’t that refreshing? Add their free reeling cousins. They didn’t need to use to that the small fact that they taste awesome and their senses for survival. All they had to do was show you have the makings of a darn good fishing up, the food was there, and nobody threatened their expedition.

existence with a hook and a tempting meal.

So just how do you know if it’s a brook trout

Whatever the case, especially if you go to the west,

dangling from your line? Oh, you’ll know. For one you’ll encounter some of the smartest fish you’ve thing, he’s one beautiful fish. The sides and back of ever met. And these guys use every sense they have him are harmonious shades of gunmetal gray.

and pull out every trick in the book to keep from

getting hooked.

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THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

THE BLOODHOUNDS

off for the fishing trip at least. If it means coming

O

home with a trout or not, where would you rather

F THE WATER

be? You can always come home, get all dressed up

and use all the aftershave and cologne you’d like as

That’s what one friend of mine call trout. This fish part of your victory celebration.

simply has an amazing power to scent. Now, it may

be difficult to understand how a creature smells

underwater, especially since we just don’t seem to NO READING GLASSES HERE!

be able to do it. But the trout does it with ease.

No, I don’t believe that a trout ever needs to squint

So, as a trout fisherman, you need first and its eyes. It has excellent vision, as a matter of fact.

foremost to be especially careful not to introduce This really shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise foreign or strange smells into the water you’re fishing. though. After all, this is the sense the trout uses in its This is a large red flag to the trout that something is determination whether to eat the chance item floating just not right.

or swimming its way.

Yes, I know. It’s not as easy as I’ve just made it

Granted, its long-range vision isn’t that great, but

sound. You have many different smells in your tackle its short-range sight is absolutely excellent — no box even as you fish. Consider the smell of your fly question about it. And now you know exactly why line cleaner, your fly floatants, epoxies and glue. Any so many artificial flies fail to catch the interest of the one of these — or all of these — may be the smell that trout. He is scrutinizing them closely. And something alerts one trout to be on its guard.

just doesn’t seem right to him.

Besides that, consider how you dressed this T

morning. In addition to your deodorant, did you wear

HE “TROUT’S WINDOW”

an aftershave? Heck, something as simple as the smell

Ever hear an angler talk about this fish viewing

of your clothing can alert a trout to danger.

the world from a “trout’s window”? No, it’s not a pair

of rose-colored glasses that the most optimistic of

If anything, I’ve probably convinced you that it’s the species use. Rather it’s the natural cone shaped near impossible to eliminate all foreign smells. It does view of the fish, extending from the bottom of the appear as if your mere presence at the lake or stream eye upwards at an ever-increasing diameter. What is probably being monitored by some sort of “scout does this do for him? Plenty. The deeper the water trout”.

he’s in, the better he can see. Now that’s nifty!

But I can provide you with some tips to keep that

Here’s where things get even more interesting. A

smell down a bit. First, change your fly line cleaners trout eats only that which passes within this cone of and fly floatants, whenever possible, to the newer vision. This is where he can see it and literally “inspect”

versions. These are designed to mask their chemical it. Now, don’t get me wrong. Due to their naturally smell. The good news? These newer, “masked” well-honed senses, these fish may very well be aware versions are the same price as the older, smelly of items that lie outside their cone of vision. But versions.

they won’t trust anything they can’t see up front,

The other step you can take is to leave the cologne close and personal. Not a bad motto to live by!

and other accoutrements that make you smell good

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THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

Knowing this, you may already be forming your these organs is found along the length of the fish’s strategy for your next fishing trip. When you’re fly body. This specific one detects frequency of vibrations.

fishing a rising trout, your ability to drop the fly That would be the vibrations of the banging of rocks upstream of where the rise was is crucial to your or oars against a boat.

success.

Located inside the trout’s ear, the second receptor,

In this way, the fly will float down the river detects the actual movement of aquatic insects of naturally, not just suddenly drop out of nowhere interest to the trout. As you may presume, this second into the trout’s cone of vision. Trust me — to a thinking receptor is very acute. It’s so sensitive, in fact, that it trout, food that appears out of nowhere sounds way allows trout to hear sound frequencies that are well too good to be true!

outside our range of hearing.

But that’s not the only thing you should know

By the way, it’s this receptor that allows the trout

about the vision of trout. Did you know that this fish to find food even when the water is murky and it can distinguish colors? Yes, indeed, it can. And this, can’t see.

believe it or not, means it can also distinguish among

subtle shades of color.

For the angler, this information can help you in

several ways. First, contrary to what you may have

This probably answers your question of why two been told, trout cannot hear human voices outside of the same flies in two different colors can produce of the water. So don’t worry about having a loud such a diverse reaction in the trout community. Your conversation about the next site you’re choosing to problem may be as simple as the trout are eating fish. They won’t eavesdrop and swim along to tell one color insect but not the other colors.

their brothers

Oh, yes! There’s one last ability the trout possesses

when it comes to sight. He can actually detect the GOOD VIBRATIONS: profile of the fly. In fact, this is probably the most THE TROUT KNOW

important factor in fishing. A fly whose profile is

different from what he’s used to seeing in the wild

But, this leads us directly to the second point.

simply won’t get eaten. That means your flies — when Trout are very aware of the vibrations and sounds dry fly fishing — always float properly. Yeah! They occurring in the river itself. Amazingly so, it seems!

can tell.

Do you want to give the trout a heads up that you’re

on the river? Just bang your oars against your boat.

No wonder these guys are so hard to catch. But It’s a dead giveaway.

wait. We haven’t even covered the trout’s ability to

hear yet. And yes, they do have an acute sense of

Similarly, you want to be “very, very quiet” — in

hearing. And yes, it’s well worth you learning about. the words of the great cartoon hero Elmer Fudd —when you’re wading. If you splash around too much T

or the rocks beneath your feet get moved around

WO SOUND RECEPTORS

some, it can spell disaster for trout fishing. And this

In order to fully understand this, you’ll have to is doubly important to remember in the waters with bear with me for a bit about the anatomy of a trout. the slower currents.

This fish possesses two sound receptors. The first of

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THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

In the faster water, many of these sounds tend to IN THE BEGINNING . . .

get drowned out and muffled by the current and any

rapids.

Ask any seven anglers and I’m sure you’d receive

seven different answers on how to initiate yourself

Trout are also able — because of the way in which into trout fishing. In my opinion, you need to make they hear – to hear something drop into the water. A your entrance as easy as possible. Keep it simple is trout can actually hear when a bug or grasshopper my motto. After all, you don’t want to get so bogged falls into the river. This can have dire implications down that you don’t enjoy the experience.

when you’re casting.

After you’re fishing for a while then you can get

You really don’t want either your fly or your line more involved in the machinations of the process.

making a large splash as it hits the water. A fly which For now, just get your feet wet (literally if you’d like!) is gently dropped into the water is much more and enjoy the moment.

effective at attracting trout than one that plunges in

with a force.

For friends of mine who are new to trout fishing,

I recommend they start their first trip with light

And as for the line, that’s where your casting ability spinning tackle. And I recommend that to you as as well as your choice of line plays a vital role. (We’ll well.

talk about different types of fly lines in Chapter 3

which is specifically devoted to fly fishing.)

As you gain confidence, experience, and expertise,

you can then take the step up to the fly rod. All in

How To Fish Trout

good time.

Huh? Whadda ya mean? You bait the rod, cast,

Before you make your first cast, check out your

and whammo, you’ve got a fish…I mean a trout…on sources. You want to obtain a map of the area you’re the other end. Right?

planning to fish. It’s vital that you verify that, in fact,

there really are trout in the waters you’re planning

Nothing could be further from the truth. As you to fish. You can usually get these maps from the read through the other chapters of this book, you’ll Department of Natural Resources in the state in which see I make near constant comments on how to you’re planning to fish. If this department doesn’t properly “fish” trout. So, I’m just going to review it have one, the staff you contact will undoubtedly know here briefly.

where you can get one.

But by now, you probably have a hint that what

Be sure you have all the right equipment. Let’s

works for your other fish just doesn’t work for trout. look at the line. For cloudy or muddy waters For cloudy or muddy waters, you’ll

To paraphrase that famous icon of cartoons, Yogi want a monofilament line no heavier than a six-Bear, trout are “smarter than your average fish”. pound test. If you’re fishing in clear waters, a four-Indeed, they are.

pound test is plenty. (I discuss the proper types of

The first time you fish for these shrewd fish you’ll line in the fly fishing chapter as well).

discover exactly that. You need to put more thought,

Fill your reel spool with backing

Fill your reel spool with backing — this should

more effort, and more time into catching trout than be heavy line. Place about 30 yards of lighter line at the other types of fish.

the end. You may discover that you just might take

several hundred yards of a lighter variety of line to

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THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

actually fill that spool. Most of this yard, by the way split shot for those occasions in which you need to get is wasted.

the bait into swift water. And then top all of this off

with a canvas creel and a small knife.

Even before you leave your home, take the time

to clean your reel. There are plenty of reasons why

Right about now, you’re looking like a trout

you don’t clean it while you’re by the water. And the fisherman. But you’re not quite done yet. What have first one is that the trout may be able to smell your you forgotten? Well, for starters, the bait. (Oh, yeah!) cleaner and swim madly in the other direction.

Don’t even hesitate to replace it

Don’t even hesitate to replace it once it becomes THE NIGHTCRAWLER

worn or gets too short for fishing purposes. Don’t

Yep. It really is difficult to get any better than the

even think about this in terms of being wasteful. It’s nightcrawler for bait fishing trout. It works on several wasteful if you’re using it and you’re not catching levels. It does, after all, has just the right heft for the any fish.

long cast. They are easy to obtain at that. It doesn’t

Choose a hook size between #10 and #14. get much better than that.

You don’t want to use long shank sunfish hooks, as

Some anglers like to recommend worms. But

some of my friends have tried and you don’t want worms don’t work as well. They are too small and your hook to look too conspicuous to the trout.

plain difficult to cast.

BAIT AND TACKLE

If you get the chance to use hellgrammites and

water worms — also known as insect larva — try it.

Again, you could ask any number of trout They’re good. But these two are just harder to find fishermen about the type of bait that’s best, especially by mid-summer. And if you’re casting distance, they for a newbie trout angler, and you’d receive an array are a little difficult to work with. Keep them in mind of answers — with chances being great that no two if you go drift fishing. They’re ideal for that.

are alike.

Small minnows are also good bait. And this is

So what should you do? Well, you could just do especially so early in the season when the fish are your own thing to see what works. If it works, keep sluggish. But they’re just not practical. After all, who going. But if you’d like to have some sort of starting wants to lug a minnow bucket around with them all point, I’ll give you a few ideas.

day long?

First let me provide you with some acceptable

You may notice those anglers who are familiar

guidelines on your trout fishing outfit.

with fishing use a chunk of chub or sucker meat

when they plan to go for “the big one”. This also

Start with an ultra light, fast action spinning keeps other chubs and suckers from biting when rod. One that’s between four and five feet long should fishing in water that is a little poorer quality than serve you well. To that, add a light-duty spinning or normal.

spin-casting reel. Place a four to six pound test line

on it.

For a more detailed set of instructions on the

specifics of spin fishing — like how to bait and several

Then add bronze #10 to #14 hooks (I’ve mentioned other suggestions — check out the appendix at the this earlier!). And don’t forget to include a few small end of this book.

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CHAPTER 2:

Spinner Fishing

Fishing for trout is a solitary hobby. Notice I didn’t say a lonely sport. It is anything but lonely. But it does seem to be a sport best done alone.

When you get two or more anglers together, trout just seem to know. And this seems especially true when you’re fishing with spinners.

But you don’t need to take my word for it. Jeff Deitrich, author of Spinner Fishing for Trout, makes the very same observation. He says, “Fishing next to your buddy usually isn’t a great idea. My father and I catch most of our fish apart.”

If you’re new to trout fishing, this term spinner or spin fishing may be a bit confusing for you. It certainly was for me when I was a novice angler. Spin fishing is really nothing more than an angling technique. In this method, something called a spinning lure is used to bait the trout.

It differs from fly fishing and bait cast fishing by the type of rod and reel you use. In fact, there are two different rods from which you can choose in spin fishing. One is the open-faced reel and the other the closed-face.

The spin fishing rod doesn’t have a trigger attached to the base of the rod — and this is what makes it different even from a bait casting fishing rod.

TECHNIQUES OF SPIN FISHING

This technique is also popular when you’re fishing

from an inflatable dingy. In this approach, you cast

In spin fishing, it’s standard operating procedure the spinner directly behind the boat, allowing it to

— or at least conventional wisdom — that you should settle on the bottom of the body of water. You’ll see cast upstream. In contrast, you would then retrieve, anglers use this method when fishing for trout in naturally enough with the current. This is done larger, wider rivers.

because the spinner or the lure sinks faster.

One of the techniques most anglers use is called WHAT TYPES OF SPINNERS?

bottom bouncing

bottom bouncing. In this approach, the angler is

Both lures and spinners are simple and effective. Of

standing on the shore as he casts up the river. He course, the idea is to imitate the prey fish for the trout.

then allows the spinner or lure to actually bounce The amazing fact is that these lures and spinners actually on the river bottom until it moves downstream. You look very little like the prey they’re patterned after. So hold the tip of the rod higher than you normally how it is that the trout can recognize them — or even would. Your retrieval speed is quicker as well.

go after them — is one of the mysteries of fishing.

16 The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share

You’ll soon discover (as you well may already You’ll want to use an unweighted spinner with a worm suspect) that as the seasons change and the fishing on it (only if it’s legal in the location you’re fishing).

conditions change, the most effective lures and Then allow it to drift along the bottom of the body spinners also change. This is only normal.

of water with just enough split shot added to keep it

there for a while.

Here are some of the best spring trout lures a

novice angler could use (even a veteran spin trout

This is easy enough to prepare. Knot a lightweight

fisherman!).

spinner with either one or two Colorado-style blades

onto a 4 pound test line. Then you place a small

1. The Weighted Spinner

garden worm onto this. Some anglers prefer

Irresistible. That’s what most stocked trout think nightcrawlers for this purpose. You may want to try about this in-line spinner with a weighted shank. (Yes! these as well.

I surveyed these fish myself, thank you!)

You’ll then want to pinch from one to three split

You’ll soon discover, if you haven’t already, that shot sinkers on the line. Do this about 10 inches the major challenge to spring trout fishing with above the lure. If you can’t use bait, then you can spinners is choosing just the right lure. If the spinner use (now get this!) a swatch of squirrel hair!

is too light, it’ll pass overhead and out of reach of

At this point, flip the rig up and then across the

the trout who are hugging the bottom.

current. You’ll want to hold the rod high. In this way,

But if you choose one that’s too heavy or even you can feel the lure ticking on the rocks. The slightest one that is retrieved too slowly, then it gets hung up tug, by the way, requires a quick hook-set.

on the rocks. What to do? Bring a large assortment. 3. Spoons

Then I just have one word for you: experiment.

These come in all types of shapes, weights, and

If Itís Not Broke . . .

sizes. But, you needn’t concern yourself much with

When you start getting strikes, stick with it until it choice if the trout season is young. Early in the season quits working. It’s part of my overall strategy that I you’ll want to use spoons that are heavy and compact.

talk about throughout this book: if it’s not broke In fact, you really don’t want to use any type of spoon don’t fix it. And if it is broke, keep trying something that’s longer than one inch.

till it works.

Don’t know what a spoon is? You might not.

Most of the time, the successful trout spinner I certainly didn’t when I first started. It’s full angler casts upstream. Sometimes you’ll notice they name is a casting spoon and they’re metal lures.

cast up and across. I talk about this several times as You can find these in sizes from 1/8 ounce to well because it’s an important element in trout fishing. 3/32 ounce. More than likely they’ll have a size Of course, just where you cast depends on the speed 8 treble hook attached.

of the current as well as the depth.

They’re successful because they produce a

wobbling action that trout think is really cool. Of

2. Spinner and Worm Rigs

course, the hook itself can be removed and replaced

Try this particular spinner the next time you’re with a spinner fly pattern. This creates a different fishing and the creeks are swollen with spring runoff. lure with an entirely different action. Using this The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share 17

THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

produces more of a rocking action which acts as an either way there is one rule, and that is to retrieve it attractor for the fly.

with erratic stops and starts.

Your best bet is to fish “up and across” the stream

You may find that your strike occurs when you’ve

with spoons. They also see better striking action when stopped reeling and the lure begins to rise in the you reel them in fitful stops and starts.

water. Some say at this point, the lure looks very

much like a wounded, dying minnow.

If you’re fishing clear water, then you’ll reach for

the more realistic hues because these draw the most 5. Panfish Jigs strikes. But if the water is muddy or murky give thought

to a spoon that’s silver on one side and fluorescent

You might be surprised to see this listed. Quite

green or even orange on the other.

frankly, if you surveyed trout fishermen, you’d discover

that very few of us actually jig for trout. And that’s

And if you’re fishing on a particularly sunny day, probably because of the composition of the bottom take out that red-and-white wobbler. That classic can of trout streams. They’re just too rocky for the jig to net you some nice size trout!

be effective.

Don’t know quite when to bring out a spoon?

But one angler I know wouldn’t fish any other

Consider this as an appropriate guideline. Spoons way. Perhaps you’ll have good luck with this too. He are most effective when used in currents of medium hangs a small jig right below a Styrofoam float. The speed. They can then be retrieved slowly enough lure can then drift at the same speed as the current, without causing them to gyrate in a manner that and it can drift a few inches above the rocks. He’s would be unnatural to an insect’s movements.

able to move the float either up or down the line

which enables his jig to “swim” at just the right level

4. Mini-Stickbaits

for the trout.

It may not seem like it when seen from your eyes,

He uses jigs that weigh from 1/32 to 1/16 ounce.

but through the eyes of a trout, a mini-stickbait Sometimes you’ll see these in the store labeled actually resembles a shiner minnow or even a “teardrops”. Other times they may be packaged as fingerling trout. The slim body, with a floating or “ice flies”.

diving plug, as well as the subtle action, along with a

good paint job, all work together. Okay, so you may

The spinning rod is manufactured from graphite

not see the resemblance. That doesn’t really matter. or even fiberglass. The handle can be made of cork The trout will.

or a PVC foam. The standard length varies from five

(5) to eight and a half (8 1/2) feet.

In fact, in trout fishing you may want to first reach

for one with a black and gold finish. Though I have

Along the underside of the rod, you’ll find a guide

to tell you that many a trout angler swears by the that helps control the line. The eyes decrease in size mini-stickbait with the rainbow trout pattern. They starting at the handle, which has the largest eye, to even say this works in creeks holding no rainbow the tip, which has the smallest. This allows for less trout at all!

friction as the coiled line leaves the reel. It also is

effective in gathering the very large loops of line

Performing best in slower water, this spinner can coming off the spinning reel’s spool.

be cast upstream or downstream equally well. But

18 The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share

THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

Another difference from bait casting and spin

Trolling is the best method around that affords

casting reels is the placement of the spinning reel you the option of so many lures and a variety of itself. In this particular instance it’s located beneath depths in addition to covering a large area of water.

the rod instead of sitting on the top. The spinning It really doesn’t get much better than this.

reel is held in place with a sliding or a locking reel

seat.

The first approach is called downrigging

downrigging. I mention

this first because it allows you to troll deeper than

When you operate this, you’ll usually place your any of the other methods. In some cases (and granted second and third fingers on either side the “leg” of these are the exceptions), you may find your lure the reel, in the location where it is attached to the going down several hundred feet. Most commonly seat on the rod. This allows the weight to hang though, you’ll be fishing at depths between 30 and beneath the rod. The bottom line is that it’s more 60 feet.

comfortable for longer periods of time.

Another aspect of downrigging which many a trout

This positioning of the rod in the hands,means fisherman loves is the light-tackle approach. When a that you can hold it in your dominant hand — in fish strikes, the line releases a clip next to the trolling your right hand if you’re right-handed for instance. weight and the fight begins!

And this is great because it increases your control,

which increases your accuracy.

Downrigging can be used with great results in

deeper ponds and lakes with powered boats at least

T

15 feet long.

ROLLING

So you think trolling is easy. Just sit in the boat, TELL ME MORE ABOUT

drop the line in the water and let Mother Nature do D

the rest while you kick back and relax.

OWNRIGGING

A downrigger is a large reel which holds a thin

Well, wake up! You’ll never catch the trout of your wire cable. This cable passes through a pulley located dreams trolling that way. But, I do have four (yes, at the end of a short boom. The cable is then attached count ‘em four) effective methods of trolling for trout. to a ball usually weighing between 4 to 12 pounds.

I so wish I could take credit for knowing all of The ball also has a fin or a vane. This helps to maintain these myself, but I learned some of these thanks to proper tracking.

the wonderful resources of Field and Stream’s online

All of this sits nicely on the back of a boat. Usually

magazine. It’s a great place to read about trout fishing a permanent feature, there are some downriggers

— regardless of your level of expertise.

which are just clamped on.

Trolling can be one of the most effective

The ball is at the surface and the boat then begins

techniques to find more fish — especially in the to run — no faster than two miles an hour though.

summer. Fish that previously were concentrated near This is your cue to let your lure out. You’ll put it out the surface or in the shallows are now digging down there at least 30 feet and not more than 50 feet deeper into the cooler parts of the water. Sometimes behind the boat in most instances.

they’re spread out in a wider pattern in open waters.

The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share 19

THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

Your next step is to fasten the line to the release gear. Flat-lining really is as simple as putting a clip of the downrigger. Place the rod in the rod holder. minnow-imitating lure on your line, watching it go Ensure that the reel drag is set light. This way the out 100 yards or so, and then waiting for the line pays out as you lower the trolling ball.

spectacular results.

When the ball is at the depth you want, you tighten

Your trolling speed varies from less than 2 miles

the reel drag back to its normal setting. Reel in enough an hour to upwards of 4 miles per hour. And when of the line so the flexible rod tip is bowed down ever you go to select those lures, you’ll discover that you so slightly. Now, it’s all set. When the trout strikes have a wide range of depths from which you can (notice I didn’t say “if a trout strikes”), the tip pops chose.

up and takes up the slack.

Lures effective in water as shallow as two inches

W

to those that work up to 8 inches are all well suited

HAT’S THE THERMOCLINE?

for this trolling. One of my friends even used a 12-

In the summer, you’ll see by the sonar in the boat inch lure.

that the larger fish as well as the schools of baitfish

Having said all of that, you’ll probably be the most

are congregated near the thermocline. This is the successful with 3 to 5-inch lures and trolling speeds narrow band of water where the temperatures change that hover around 2 to 3 miles per hour.

radically. Above the thermocline the waters are

warmer. But once you reach that point, somewhere

And while you can place the rod in the holder,

between 30 and 70 feet deep, depending on where you may find that you’re “luckier” when you work you fish, the water cools drastically. And that, my the rod instead. Simply “rip” the rod and then let it fellow fisherman, is exactly where you want to run slack slightly between your ripping actions. Remember your downrigger weights and lures. All day long if that with 100 yards of line between your rod and you can

the lure, it will take a long, aggressive stroke on the

rip to make any impact on the lure itself.

TROLLING METHOD #2:

You will probably want to choose a fast action

FLAT-LINING

rod. One that is fairly stiff and perhaps seven feet or

so in length. Don’t buy a large reel that’s heavy, but

This is the easiest trolling method you’ll ever find. you do want it to hold enough line for those times Your line is attached to a lure. You need not use any when the trout takes 100 yards on the hookup.

secondary weight or any other device.

And the line? Well, probably the best to start with

For the most part, though, flat-lining is considered is a 15 pound one. To this I tie a 50-foot leader of a near-surface approach. Despite this, it still allows fluorocarbon. Again, I use a line that is between 10

you to reach the moderate depths through jigs and to 15 pounds. And to the leader itself you may want diving crankbaits.

to tie a small, heavy-duty cross lock snap without

the swivel!

Sometimes called top-lining, flat-lining has been

known to help more than one angler snag that trophy

trout. One aspect of this approach that’s appreciated

by many is that there’s no real need for specialized

20 The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share

THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

PLANER TROLLING

the cord out to the board itself. You’ll want to reel

this up slightly so there’s some tension between your

Even though these may be the most complicated rod and the board. Now just place the rod in the of all the trolling devices, they are well worth the holder.

effort you expend in learning them. They can be,

without a doubt, the most effective trolling devices LEAD-CORE LINE TROLLING

around.

Without a doubt this is not only the easiest, but

For those of you who may not have heard of them, also the least expensive method to get your lures a planer is a floating board — usually seven to 12 deep. A lead-core is just what the name implies. It’s inches — that holds your line 50 to 100 feet off to a single-strand lead wire that is neatly tucked inside one side of the boat.

a braided nylon covering. Pretty clever, huh?

Using a pair, you set one on either side of the

Pound-tests for this trolling method range from

boat. This means that you’re effectively covering a 12 to 45. The line itself has a color change every 10

wide range of water — perhaps even upwards of 200 yards, so it’s easy to tell how much line you’ve feet. This fact alone means you’re more likely to find extended. (I told you this was easy!) Each color, by fish.

the way, generally adds about five to eight feet of

But consider the fact the your lures are now farther trolling depth. But, of course, this depends on the away from the sound of your boat’s motor as well. speed of your boat.

This situation is less likely than most to scare the fish

This particular type of trolling has been performed

off.

for nearly 10 years in the Great Lakes. It’s only within

So, just how do you set this up? Well, most anglers the last 5 years or so that the technique has spread use a six-foot mast mounted to the boat’s bow, which to other geographical locations.

holds two large take-up reels. These reels, in turn,

It’s also a fantastic way to add lines to your spread,

hold cord that attaches to the both sides of the to cover different depths, and to fish a long distance tapered planers.

behind the boat so as not to frighten the fish.

As your boat moves forward, you’ll pay out a board

Now that you’ve got a general education on

on the cord until it’s just where you want. Release spinner fishing for trout, I’m eager to move on to tell the line from your reel until your lure is about 60 you a little about fly fishing for trout. That’s exactly feet behind the boat.

what the next chapter covers.

Now attach a release clip to your line as well as a

Come on! Let’s go fishing together!

“quick clip” you can slip on the planer-board cord.

Due to the tension of the line, the clip slides along

The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share 21

CHAPTER 3

Fly Fishing

Shh! Don’t ask that question in front of a veteran fly angler. It’s not so much that he’ll scold you for asking the question, no, anglers are eager to teach new trout fisherman, it’s just that you may have to listen to more than a few of “the-fish-that-got-away”

stories in the explanation as well.

What am I talking about? The importance of fly lines, of course. It’s a natural question to ask when you’re beginning. Even some anglers who have been enjoying the sport for a while don’t totally understand the importance of their lines.

The truth of the matter is that using just the right line can make a difference between setting up camp and frying fresh trout or opening up a can of Spaghetti-Os for supper after a day of fishing.

The problem for the novice is that there are so many options so it’s confusing — and I agree. That makes choosing the right one for your specific fishing needs just a bit difficult, especially if you don’t have someone to talk you through it.

But before I even begin to tell you about the importance of your fly line, let’s spend a little bit of time explaining exactly what it is. Of course in the simplest sense, you know.

Fly fisherman consider the fly line an important

The main purpose of the line, after all, is the

casting tool (notice that word “tool”) consisting of transporting of a fly to the fish. The fly itself is two parts: the core and the coating. Normally, the practically weightless. No use depending on that to core is a strong, braided nylon. It’s coated with a help with creating any type of weighted presence.

type of polymer, usually a flexible PVC. This gives

the line the necessary weight (we’ll talk about this in

The bottom line is this — and I’ll say it over and

a minute).

over in this section — when you cast, you’re really

casting the line itself. And that’s why the weight of

If that were the end of the description, the world it is so important.

of fly lines wouldn’t be quite so confusing. However,

these lines are created in a variety of wondrous

First, it helps you to know that just like with your

combinations of core and coating materials. This fly rod and your reel, the line you use really needs variety gives the fly fisherman not only variety, but to correspond with the type of fly fishing you’re an ultimate sense of control over his specific doing. And it needs to match up pretty tightly too, if situations. Each line is handled just a little bit you want to be successful.

differently than the other.

22 The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share

If your fly rod outfit — the rod, reel and line —

What the heck is a fly line taper?

aren’t in proper alignment or balance, you may

encounter some serious trouble in casting.

This is an excellent place to start a discussion. In

fly fishing, the weight of your line is critical in your

Let me show you what I mean. What if you’re ability to cast. If you’ve never fly fished before, this using a line that is “too light” for your rod? This, may seem a little strange. So, let’s compare this briefly indeed, presents you with some serious casting to spin fishing.

challenges. It’s the weight of the fly line and not just

the fly that actually allows the angler to cast effectively.

When you fish with a spinner — what many refer

The fly rod, as essential it may be to the casting, to as rod and reel — this isn’t an issue. The weight of cannot cast properly if the weight of the line isn’t the lure you use pulls the line out into the water. By aligned correctly.

contrast, in fly fishing the only weight factors

determining a solid, effective cast are the fly line and

Consider this for a moment. If your fly rod is the action of the rod itself.

“heavier” than the line you’re using, the rod will never

be fully loaded. This means that it won’t bend

Tapers, in a nutshell, are adjustments to the fly

properly. That’s because the weight of the line isn’t line that enable the line to be cast easier and even strong enough to bend it during casting.

better when you’re in specific situations. This may be

surprising, but most fly lines aren’t level. By this, I

Similarly, the line needs to be heavier than the mean the line does not weigh the same throughout rod, or the rod will bend too much during the casting. the entire length of it. Lines, for the most part, are And this makes it difficult to obtain proper line not made of a uniform thickness.

control.

Lest you think this is some manufacturing error,

At the risk of sounding like an old fly fisherman it’s created deliberately at crucial sections of these mathematician, here’s an easy visual formula for you lines. These adjustments are subtle and they increase to remember when fishing:

or decrease the weight or width of key sections of

the line. The result is a line that produces a better

Fly Line Weight = Fly Rod Weight = Fly Reel Weight cast and provides you with better line control.

C

The specific type of taper a fly line possesses is

ONFUSED ABOUT TAPERS?

really the description of the adjustments made to

You sit there looking confused and I can’t say I produce these results.

blame you. Everyone around you is talking about

the taper of their fly lines. As you try to listen to the

And believe me, there are several fly line tapers

conversations and even digest and understand them, available to you. Take, for example the level taper.

you realize you don’t have a clue as to what they’re When you buy this particular line, the label on the discussing.

box identifies it with the simple initial “L”.

I was just as lost when I first started. Really, it’s

You’ll be relieved to know that this is the easiest

not as difficult or mind blowing as it appears, and taper to understand. But you may become dismayed you’re not the first angler confused over this. Many a to also learn that it’s also the least used. Alas.

beginner has inadvertently stepped into water over

If you haven’t already figured it out, a fly line with

his head, so to speak, when it comes to fly lines.

The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share 23

THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

a level taper really has no taper at all. Instead, it’s of popular among anglers — especially when it came to uniform weight and width for its entire length. Go trout fishing. The lighter taper in front of the line, figure!

made for a near noiseless landing and the middle of

the line ensured a solid cast.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH

You may also find this taper helps you with the

THE LEVEL TAPER?

“S” cast or the roll cast. T he double taper has an

added economical benefit as well. If you discover

Now, you’re thinking, I’m a beginner, wouldn’t that the front of the line is beginning to wear out, this be perfect for me? Perhaps at first glance you simply turn the line around. Voila! Brand new double may think so, but that’s really not the case. Level- taper line!

tapered lines float well but they are more difficult to

cast and to control than those with “real” tapers.

MR. POPULARITY:

Here’s another aspect to the level taper you might WEIGHT FORWARD TAPER

not have considered. Because it is uniformly level,

this specific line actually makes a noise when it hits

However the double line is not nearly as popular

the water. Nothing like notifying the trout that you’re as the weight forward taper weight forward taper variety of line. It should

there.

come as no surprise that this line is also the most

expensive.

There is one advantage to the level variety of fly

line. They are the least expensive to buy and they

Why is this line in such demand? Its extra weight

require no fancy processing system. But if you’re a and extra width is located in the first 30 feet of the beginner, I’d splurge. You may save a little bit of line, for the most part. The remainder of the line is money, but the chances are that you won’t be having level — being not only equal weight but also equal trout for supper anytime soon — fresh trout that is!

width.

D

This means longer casts for you as well as the

O A DOUBLE TAKE

ability to cast larger flies. it also means that you’ll

FOR THE DOUBLE TAPER

find casting not as difficult on windy days.

When you go to purchase a double taper line

double taper line,

But when you place this line on your rod, you

the label identifies it by the initials “DT”. This type of must place it correctly. The extra weight and width line is heavy and thicker in the middle section. It need to at the end of the line, not tied on to the reel.

loses both its width and its weight as it approaches A weight forward taper, unlike the double taper the end of the line.

version, cannot be reversed.

If there is one word to describe the double taper

If you’re a beginner, this is probably the line for

line, it’s balance. By this, I mean that both ends of you. They are, without a doubt, the easiest to cast.

the fly line are the same. Additionally, each end They provide the beginner with the extra control and gradually increases in equal increments in both weight longer casts that sometimes are crucial in fly fishing.

and width as it gets closer to the center of the line.

By the way, the weight forward taper is always used

At one time, double taper lines were the most to cast bass bugs and streamers — those heavy items.

24 The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share

THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

BUILT FOR DISTANCE:

This weight measurement clearly corresponds to

S

the actual weight of the line measured in grains. While

HOOTING TAPER

you may be confused right now, you can at least

find some solace in the fact that the measurements

It’s true. The shooting taper

shooting taper was specifically on all the lines are uniform throughout the entire designed for fly casting distance tournaments. This industry. (I’m trying to give you some good news!) type is weighted — quite heavily I might add — in its

first 20 feet. For the rest of the line, it’s a uniform

Using a numerical scale from one (1) to fourteen

thickness and weight.

(14), the lower the numbers are, the lighter the lines.

A fly line of three (3) for example is lighter than that

The difference is that it’s thinner than your of a line labeled with an eight (8).

traditional weight-forward lines. It’s just this

combination of the extra weight and width initially

Fly Line Number Weight In Grains

with the thinner than usual back end, that makes it

so awesome.

1

60

Its build reduces air resistance as well as drag on

2

80

the fly rod guide, which in turn, can actually mean a

3

100

greater casting distance if you know what you’re

doing.

4

120

But their usefulness is limited. While they’re great

5

140

at distance casting, that’s about all they’re good for.

They actually lack the needed delicacy for your

6

160

general fly fishing. For one thing, because of its weight,

7

185

it can create a noise when hitting the water.

8

210

It also presents even veteran anglers with a bit of

a control problem. Since the back end is thinner than

9

240

a standard fly line, you may find that it gets coiled

10

280

and knotted easily. Many anglers cast with it anyway,

using a stripping basket to help resolve this problem.

11

330

A

12

380

WEIGHTY MATTER:

F

13

420

LY LINE WEIGHT

14

455

Now, you’re off to the store to buy your fly line,

confident you know what to look for. But then you

pick up a box and…

On occasion, you run across fly line weights other

than those listed above. When you find these, you’ll

Wait! You didn’t expect this. What the heck is this? know immediately that these are specialty lines. This You’re looking at what’s called the weight of the line. means they’re designed for very specific purposes.

Every line is assigned a weight measurement. It’s For the most part, though, you’ll see one (1) through usually clearly printed on the box.

fourteen (14).

The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share 25

ASK ME ABOUT LINE DENSITY

SINK-TIP LINE

(I DARE YOU!)

This comes in a strong second in popularity behind

the floater. It sinks for the first 10 to 30 feet. Then,

No! Not another statistic to remember! Calm down. the remainder of the line continues to float. Most It’s really not nearly as bad as it seems. Simply put, often, you’ll see this used with nymph and streamer the density of a fly line answers the question: Does it fishing. The line helps to get the flies down while sink or float?

still allowing for a large amount of floating line for

Now can you get any simpler than that?

easy pick ups.

Okay, so I misled you. But only slightly. It’s a two-

If, however, you don’t want your fly entirely in

part question — and here’s the second part. If it sinks, the water, this line is not what you’re searching for.

then just how does it sink? Each density that does

sink is designed just a little differently. Now that I’ve INTERMEDIATE SINKING LINE

piqued your interest, let’s delve into this idea just a

little more.

This line sinks entirely, but it does so slowly. This

means it’s an ideal fit for when you want your fly

Actually, there are five types of line densities at underwater, but not entirely underwater. By contrast, your disposal.

the line settles down into the water nicely.

1. Floating

Mostly, the intermediate sinking line is used when

you’re fishing on lakes with weeds. This is because

2. Sink-tip

you can be positioned just above the weeds and

other vegetation.

3. Intermediate sinking

4. Sinking

WHAT ABOUT A SINKING LINE?

5. Fast sinking

This particular line sinks uniformly and relatively

quickly. Of

FLOATING LINE

course, the rate at which it goes down varies

And float it does. This line floats for its entire depending on the length. This type of line is the easiest to cast. No

type of line you purchase. You’ll be able to tell

wonder it’s also the most popular. This particular kind this from the box labeling (yes, you will!). These lines is used for all dry fly fishing and also utilized with can sink as quickly as two inches per second or as many streamers, nymphs and wet flies.

fast as ten inches per second.

There’s good reason why this works so well with

The rate you require depends on what depth you

just about any sub-surface fishing. The weight of the want that fly to be as well as how fast it should reach nymphs, streamers or other items when attached, pull that depth. For fast-moving water, for example, or the leader down. And this is exactly what you want. even deep pools, you’ll need a fast sink rate. Otherwise Let’s just put it this way: if you can only own one fly the slower sink rate should work for you in just about line…oh yeah, let it be the floater!

all other situations.

26 The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share

FAST-SINKING LINE

taper, 4 is the weight of the line, and the “F” indicates

it floats. That was easy wasn’t it?

Yes, you can say this sinks like a stone. But even

here you have a variety from which to choose. Just

What about WF-5-F

WF-5-F? You’re absolutely right.

how fast do you want it to sink? This type of line is Weight-forward taper line; a weight of 10 and it’s pretty much used only for saltwater fly fishing or considered a floating line. Good job.

when you’re fishing down deep in a lake.

WF-10-S.

WF-10-S. WF indicates it’s a weight-forward taper

Colors

line, possessing weight of 10. The “S” denotes it’s a

sinking line.

Bright yellow. Fluorescent green. Pumpkin orange.

No, these are not choices your teenager is considering

Now, check this one out: DT-7-F/S

DT-7-F/S. This fly line is

as his next hair color. (He’s got that color already a double taper with a weight of 7. The F/S indicates chosen. You’ll love it!)

it’s a sink-tip line. You’ll also notice when you run

across a line like this, what the actual sink rate is.

These are just a few of the colors from which to The box also tells you how much of the line sinks, as choose your fly lines. Didn’t know you had such well.

freedom of choice, now did you?

L-5-I.

L-5-I. This code is interpreted to reveal a level

But, did you know it really does matter what color taper fly line possessing a weight of 5, that is also an you choose? If you’re using a sinking line, for instance, intermediate sinking line. Again, the sink rate is listed you’d be far better off if you stay with a darker color on the box itself.

— like brown. Most anglers will tell you that the darker

colors, especially when sub-surface fishing, are just

ST-6-F

ST-6-F. This code tells you the fly line is a shooting

about perfect. The fish are less likely to see the darker taper, with a weight of 6. It also floats.

line than a bright one.

Now that you know a little more about the

If you’re choosing a floating line, or a line that equipment involved in fly fishing — and you’re familiar stays closer to the surface, then select any color you with spinner fishing for trout — let’s move on to one would like. The reason for this is that if you’re fishing more topic of vital concern. And that’s how to read a during the day, the fish will notice the line, regardless stream in order to maximize your trout fishing success.

of its color. The color then should be easiest for you Once you read this chapter, I guarantee, you’ll never to see. If you’re fishing at night, then you may benefit look at a stream in quite the same way again.

from a darker color.

Are you ready? Let’s go fishing together!

That brings us now to the codes. These codes are

found on the box of fly lines. If you’ve ever looked

for line, you know the poor box usually isn’t large

enough to hold all the codes. Well, neither is this

book. (Okay, so I’m exaggerating somewhat.) But I’ll

quickly review several of these to give you some idea

of what is going on.

DT-4-F

DT-4-F: We’ve already learned that DT is double

The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share 27

CHAPTER 4

Reading A Stream

I can feel it. Your energy level and enthusiasm are increasing by the minute. And I can hear it loud and clear — your next question: When’s the best time to go trout fishing?

And I can only answer that with another question: What about now? The truth is the best time to trout fish is anytime! Thankfully, the emergence of a season brings with it a unique trout fishing benefit. (Who says there’s not some divine order at work in the universe?) Don’t fall into the trap that many anglers do, thinking that the only good time to fish trout is when the streams are being stocked with the hatchery-raised fish in April through October.

I’ll clue you into a secret that most trout fishermen don’t seem to know (or at least understand): trout fishing can be successful any time of the year.

Let’s talk spring, for instance. Those spring showers not only bring out May flowers as the saying goes, but they bring out brown trout by the boatful. A gentle spring shower dislodges the food that brown trout feed on and they go on a feeding spree of sorts.

Then as the rainfall freshets enter the stream, the waters turn turbid. And that’s to your advantage. The lack of clarity hides the line and the leader.

Conditions call for worm fishing (in fact worm fishing doesn’t get any better than this!), but also try your nymphs and streamers as well. Trust me, you will be pleased! But you won’t catch many trout using dry flies. These trout foods just don’t come out in this weather — and the trout know this!

SUMMERTIME:

you’re in for a good fishing season. The temperature

A

and oxygen becoming critical factors now. The best

ND THE FISHIN’ IS EASY!

trout temperature is about 62 degrees; the dissolved

Oh, yes. Summer fishing has been called a “period oxygen needs to be about 8 parts per million (ppm).

of natural selection” for the avid angler. You’ll still

find bait fishing to be extremely productive, but you

And trout are quite predictable. They always search

may also want to try to your hand at fly fishing as for preferred habitats with environmental conditions well.

as close to ideal as possible. This means in the summer

your best bet is to fish near springs or artesians flowing

Summer, after all, is the time for insects to hatch into the trout streams. You’ll want to work these sites with a vengeance. Couple this with the fact that this pretty carefully. You’ll be pleased, I assure you.

season is also a pivotal time for trout survival, and

28 The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share

AUTUMN:

Natural cover could be anything from dead water

B

pools to boulders, to bank covers and even log jams.

RING OUT THE SPINNER BAITS . . .

And then, don’t over look that natural aquatic

vegetation, either. You may find some trout loitering

And more. You’ll also want to consider fishing here as well.

with prepared bait, wet flies, and even live bait during

the fall season. When trout fishing, think grasshopper

Trout prefer bank cover when it has a minimum

when autumn rolls around. Brown fish have a special of six inches of overhead shading and is a foot or taste for these guys. Just gather them in the early more in depth. The bank slows the current. And it morning. Of course, if you’re not into collecting them, also provides habitat that reminds the trout of artificial grasshoppers also work well. You may also boulders.

want to try night crawlers — especially if you plan on

fishing after a light rain has fallen.

Not only that, but obstacles such as brush, logs,

and tree rots extending outward from the bank make

BRRR! IT’S COLD OUTSIDE:

an area even more appealing to the trout.

WINTER TROUT FISHING

Of course, with such a diverse selection within a

cover, you may find it difficult to predict with any

Got cabin fever? Can’t stay in the house one more precision the location of the trout within the brush day? Then go trout fishing. Are you thinking I’m crazy? or a log pile. So don’t rush this process. Fish this I just may be. But if I’m crazy, then I’m crazy with a habitat very carefully. Before you surrender make sure stack of fish surrounding me.

you’ve tested all the nooks and crannies.

Yes, winter really is the most overlooked season

Aquatic vegetation.

Aquatic vegetation. It’s tough to fish here, yes I

for trout fishing. Of course, in this season, the best know. But if you can get the hang of it, this is one of time of the day is the warmest time — from 10 a.m. the most rewarding habitats you can find. It’s indeed, to 2 p.m.

very productive. For the most part, the main stream

current creates a tunnel of sorts through the

Try your hand at nymphs and wet flies. You may vegetation bed. You’ll notice that thin strands of plants especially find these effective as they imitate small, then spread out from the main portion of the plants.

freshwater shrimp. Most trout love this.

Of course, as you probably can guess these strands

When fishing in the winter, try spinner-baits as become quite a nuisance by ruining more than one well. They work well just below the open riffle reaches. bait and lure. But, you’ll find the trout are very often Your odds are also increased because many trout at the inside edge of the vegetation. This is the area are anxious. They haven’t seen a lure in months.

where the current slows some and provides the trout

with a nice and cozy “feeding station”.

COVER HABITATS OF

TROUT STREAMS

MAN-MADE HABITATS

The trout stream, by its very nature, is rife with

There’s no difference in your search for trout if

cover habitats that trout just love. And the trout could the cover is man-made. Bank hides, for example, built care less whether the habitat is natural or man-made. on the outside bends of streams may be the most The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share 29

THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

problematic. But, don’t let that stop you. The effort some shores. It protects the nearby upland against you’ll be expending is well worth it in the long run. wave scour.

These types of structures offer the perfect hiding

You’ll find that trout treat this very much like a

place even for the largest of trout. The fish station pool habitat except the fish congregate a little closer themselves at the upstream portion of these structures. to the rock structure.

From here they capture food as it drifts along the

outer edge.

And when it comes to logs, the fish usually try to

hide themselves directly under the log if possible. In

For your purposes, you’ll want to drift your bait this way, they find they can easily ambush forage.

or lure into this area. Don’t be one of the many

unsuspecting — and I might add unprofitable — anglers GENERAL TIPS

who stand directly on the bank side itself. They fish

the water directly at their feet. Then they wonder

No matter what the body of the water is, some

why the trout just aren’t biting.

techniques just stay constant when it comes to trout

fishing. In typical waters, for example, trout can be

Keep in mind, as well, that these structures blend found throughout the hole. You have a chance at in well with the surrounding region. Your job — if catching them from the head, through to the deep you plan to be successful — is to concentrate on the water of the pool, right on up to the tail.

bank terrain as well as the stream itself.

Don’t overlook any of those areas. If you are fishing

DEEP POOLS AND RIFFLES

a stream thoroughly, then you just have to fish each

part of the hole.

If you can find deep pools interspersed with riffles,

then you’ve found some very good trout fishing. This

Now, this may sound as if you’re in this hole

combination gives the trout a good variety of hiding forever. That just isn’t the case. It really doesn’t take places. The riffle is a natural feeding site for small trout, a great deal of time to work all the holes. You can while the larger fish are very often in the pool itself.

usually judge whether you’ve discover a trout lair

within three casts. If after that third cast you’ve still

If you can, position yourself at the upstream end found nothing, move on.

of the pool as you’ll find the most trout there due to

the strong inflowing current. You’ll discover the trout HIDE AND SEEK: congregate near the bottom to forage for the drifting

food. At times, you may notice the fish move to the TROUT STYLE

lower end of the pool. This usually happens in the

late evening when there’s a heavy insect hatch.

And don’t forget, no matter the type of water,

trout love to play the game of hide and seek with

R

you. (Of course, to them, it’s a matter of life and

IP-RAP ARMORED BANK

death, so they’re motivated!) They’re notorious for

seeking out just about anything they can find to help

No it’s not some new armored guard company them hide. This includes logs, branches, bridge keeping the money in the local bank safe. A rip-rap abutments, rocks, undercut banks. Heck, they’ll even is a heavy stone facing found along the banks of use overhanging limbs when they have to.

30 The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share

THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

Spinners, then, to be able to tease these guys and have far to move in order to strike. You’ve heard of get at them, need to be fished across and along — meals on wheels. This is dinners on spinners!

mostly along, though! — all these places. This way

the trout has to make just that one quick motion to RISING WATER LEVELS

grab it before he has a chance to think twice about

it.

So just how do you fish when you’ve found that

the water levels have risen recently? If this is the

IF IT AIN’T BROKE . . .

condition, then knowing the water closest to the

surface moves that fastest helps you. Trout avoid swift

There’s a wonderful saying that many people use: currents.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” It’s very true with trout

fishing. Don’t change a thing if you’re catching trout

In order to be successful then, you’ll need to go

— even if what you’re doing defies traditional wisdom. where the trout are — near the bottom. The water Keep on doing whatever it is you’re doing.

here moves slower. Of course there is an exception

to this, and this is when the temperatures or other

But just what do you do when what you’re doing conditions create an exceptional time to feed. The isn’t working? Then obviously, you try something new! trout then move to closer to the faster currents. They’ll Conventional trout fishing wisdom says that most of eat the insects and worms whizzing by them.

your casts should be made upstream across the

current. But if this isn’t working for you on a particular

High water levels may make it tough for the angler,

day, then why keep doing it? Change your tactics.

but it provides the trout with plenty of nifty locations

to hide out and not be noticed. And sometimes these

Cast, instead, straight across the current. Then try smart fish pick some pretty strange locations!

casting down the current. You may even want to cross

the stream and fish from the other side.

Sometimes the trout are actually behind logs. When

the water is high, you may even want to check out

B

these little known locations first. If there’s no fish there,

OTTOMS UP!

you’ve discovered that quickly, but if you’ve found a

If the water conditions you’re fishing are relatively hiding place, then you’ve really struck (trout) gold!

normal and you’re surrounded by other anglers, then

you can be confident the trout are near the bottom. DROPPING WATER LEVEL

It’s almost a given.

What about when the water level drops? Well, then

Trout immediately retreat to the bottom when the you know for a fact the stream is moving slower.

surface water gets agitated. They’re alerted to potential And to state the obvious, it’s also losing depth. This danger — and fast. As a matter of fact, when numerous means the trout are more vulnerable to their natural fisherman have been on the same waters you’re predators (yeah, man!), fishing birds, and others.

fishing, you may need to try a different technique in

order to get these hiding fish.

The temperature of the stream rises as the level

drops as well. This is especially true in warmer months.

You may want to drag the spinner as close to the The water near the bottom is the coldest, for the bottom as you possibly can. Then the trout don’t most part.

The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share 31

THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

The trout, then, still seek their refuge near the you’re absolutely right! But that doesn’t mean they deepest water. On occasion, though, they’ll stray to can’t be caught.

that shallow portion in order to find food. This, in

fact, is more likely to happen during the cooler

As you’re moving along a stream in the fall, be

morning and evening hours.

sure to keep an eye open for trout in the shallow

locations. And whatever you do, don’t wade in the

When the water level is low, the trout really feel locations trout are spawning. You very well could the pressure from those fishing. They instinctively disturb their nests.

seek the cover of the deeper pool, rocks, and limb’s

in a blink of an eye.

LET’S TALK “STOCKED TROUT”

Keep in mind, though, that the lower water means

Okay, let’s. Yes, there are some things you need

that some holes the trout are hiding in have now to know about stocked trout. The first is some different vanished. This forces them to search other areas for behavior patterns. Unlike the feral trout, these fish cover. Still, trout are far less likely to be discovered stick in packs, and rather tightly I might add. After along the shorelines. The exception is when the all, this is the environment they knew best when being deepest water happens to run against the shore. This bred in hatcheries.

usually occurs with undercut banks as well as under

bridges.

If you know the body of water you’re fishing has

been stocked, this gives you an advantage. Definitely

If the water is warmer, the trout search for shade. look for concentrations of trout in not only the The best locations for them to find it are under logs, deepest parts of the water, but the shallowest as well.

rocks and bridges. Get the hint? This means these But do so at the insertion point and then again are the best places to start fishing!

downstream several holes. (Of course, this depends

Keep in mind, too, that if the water is warmer, the on the size of stream you’re fishing.) But this is fish also seek cooler water. This water could be conventional wisdom. Most anglers go to these areas introduced into the stream by various tributaries and, instinctively.

at times, even by underwater springs.

If you feel like bucking conventional wisdom, you

can do so here and perhaps quite productively. Not

THE SPAWNING

as many fishermen realize that you can grab many

bites in some pretty strange locations after stocking

No I’m not referring to some horror movie. I’m has occurred.

talking about the time of the year when trout

reproduce. In the fall, as they spawn, you’ll discover

You may discover fish in the shallow side eddies

that trout very often move from the main current to or the low riffles where no hole is even found.

the shallower water. This water is more often found

at the tails of pools as well as along the sides of STAY ON THE SIDE

streams.

THE FISH WERE STOCKED

More often than not, they move in pairs (no big

surprise here!). I know what you’re thinking. Trout

Another little known fact is that trout tends to

are less likely to bite while they’re spawning. And stay on the same side of the stream as where they 32 The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share

THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

were placed. This is especially true if the water is

If you said something “fairly large” that would

high.

create a flash, you’d be right on the money. Some

people in this instance would choose a three-inch

Trout which have been stocked during a period gold spoon.

of high water, are likely to be in that eddy downstream

from and on the same side as their place of insertion.

Now you’re getting the idea about the ways to

Hunt out that eddy and you’ve got some good trout read a stream. I could probably ramble on all day fishing ahead of you!

about this. But instead, I’m going to go on to the

next — and last chapter.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

This chapter deals with miscellaneous tips, tricks,

Consider this scenario. Early spring. You haven’t and techniques on trout fishing in general. Some of even gone down to look at the water yet. But you these you’ll find quite useful.

knew that the water sounded fast. After all it hadn’t

What are we waiting for? Let’s go fishing together!

stopped raining in days. At least that’s what it felt

like. Now, from just this, do you know what type of

lure to use?

The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share 33

CHAPTER 5

Trout Tips, Tricks amp; Techniques

What’s that you say? You love to fish, but can’t for the life of you figure out why you’re not catching more trout? Ahh, you’re not alone in those thoughts.

There’s not a fishing enthusiast alive who hasn’t pondered that same monumental

, philosophical question sometime in their fishing career.

For all of you who spent time answering that question, this chapter was written just for you. It’s a compendium of some of the most effective and tightly-held secrets about trout fishing you’ll ever find.

It’s a grouping of tips, tricks, and techniques for you to read, digest, and most importantly, use on your next fishing trip. Imagine the surprise of your fishing buddies when you go from the one who caught the least amount of fish to the person who caught the most.

Always stuck buying the drinks because you come in dead last in the “friendly” fishing bets? Now, you can shock your friends and force them to come up with a couple rounds of drinks once you start putting these tried, true and little known hints to use.

Have I convinced you yet of the value of this chapter yet? Good. Then what are we waiting for? I’m eager to teach you every trick in the book (and hopefully then some) on how to be mistaken for a professional trout fisherman

WEAR CAMOUFLAGE CLOTHING

DO YOUR BEST ELMER FUDD

What? Are you kidding? Nope. I’m serious. You’ll IMPERSONATION

blend in with

Now you really are kidding me, right? No. “Be

your surrounding area better and you’re harder very, very quiet. We’re catching wabbit,” is Elmer’s to see. And I don’t mean that the other anglers will mantra. Let yours be “Be very, very quiet. We’re fishing have difficulty finding you.

trout.”

Feel stupid wearing camouflage? Well, then at least

Yes, I’m telling you the trout can see and hear

dress in blue and green. These are the two colors you. If you don’t believe me, try it yourself. What trout can’t see. If you wear these, your chances of have you got to lose, anyway?

catching fish should increase.

34 The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share

SMALL STREAM 30-SECOND

JUST BEGINNING?

TECHNIQUE

TRY THE “DOUBLE-TAPER DRY

Once you’ve “snuck” up on your intended trout, LINE.”

then cast your line in the water. If you get a nibble,

This type of line is perfect for beginners. It’s a

wait 30 seconds and tug on the line. Check to see if stiffer line which means it glides through the eyes of he’s still there. If he is, then pull the line tight and the fishing rod easier. Not only that, but it doesn’t give it a good tug. Remember, this technique works get tangled as easily as some of the other types of for small streams.

lines.

FOCUS ON THE BACK CAST

THINK ABOUT YOUR ROD

Whether you’re a novice or a veteran just trying

No, you really don’t have to meditate on it and

to regain that competitive in casting, focus your efforts experience Zen with it, but do give it some thought.

on your back cast. This, after all, is the basis of a Rods with different sizes from two feet to sixteen good cast. Why? Because it provides the basis for feet are yours for the choosing. Just as the fly line propelling the rod forward again.

are designed with specified weights, rods are to be

Of course, you need to guard against overcastting. used to match those weights.

But you also need to give yourself ample time for all

Think about it. A six-weight line needs a six-weight

of the line to go fully out behind you as well, and rod. Sound reasonable? For the most part, most trout this takes practice.

fisherman use rods within the range of one to nine-

weight. But there are reasons for using heavier weight

A CLEAN FISHING LINE

rods. A heavier rod, for example, is perfect for sea fishing.

Okay, you might have heard this one before. I

Your choice depends on three factors.

hope so. But it still rings true. Take time to clean

your fishing line. And I don’t mean just at the

Size of your anticipated fish. Type of water. Kind

beginning of the fishing season when you’re full of of fishing. Yep. That’s it in a nutshell.

vim and vigor. You need to clean your fishing line

on a regular basis. I know it’s not the most exciting BRIDGES?

activity in the world but if you want to keep catching

trout, it’s essential.

Of course, you know that where there is a bridge,

there’s bound to be trout. But keep this little known

When your line is dirty with algae and other debris, tip in mind as well. The lower the bridge, the bigger you’re going to discover it’s a lot harder to cast the trout will probably be.

properly. Once you have cleaned your line, then dress

it to maintain that smoothness for easier casting. The

But then there’s the corollary to this tip as well. It is

act of dressing your line also helps with its more difficult to cast a fly up under the bridge far enough

“floatability” and this in turn helps to facilitate roll to cover them. (Maybe that’s why the fish are so big?) casts.

The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share 35

THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

But, let’s delve into this situation just a little bit bait, then you’ll also want to attach a floater to your longer. Because, if you’re fly fishing, I just might have rig. And this is just about mandatory if you’re fishing a solution for you. It’s true that the lower the bridge in shallow water. Other good choices for night fishing the more difficult it is to maneuver your standard fly include chubs and worms — just about any type of rod. After all it’s upwards of nine feet in length. But live bait. And don’t forget the flashlight. You’ll need who says you have to fish with the entire rod?

to see enough to hook those guys.

Here’s what you do: Remove the fly reel. Place it

in an open pocket. Be sure that it’s in a place where NIGHT FISHING

the fly line can be free to pull off of it. And if you NETS BROWN TROUT

have a two piece rod, remove the butt section. Use

only the tip section when casting your fly. Clever?

Night fishing is a particularly good time to catch

brown trout. Yep, this is their normal feeding time. If

After a little practice at this, you’ll discover you you’re lucky, you may also be able to land a cutthroat can really get quite good at it. In fact, some anglers as well.

can aerialize some 15 yards of fly line casting in this

fashion. And that’s good enough to cover trout hiding

The advantage to night fishing is that the fish

under just about any bridge.

are…well, more relaxed. They are less apt to jump at

any little noise, like the sound of your leader hitting

N

the water.

IGHT FISHING?

FOR TROUT?

Not only that, but the colors don’t seem to matter

to them as much either. So when you select different

Why not? Sure, at first it may not sound like one colored baits, choose something that is the easiest of those brilliant ideas. But if you do some preparation for you to see.

before the sun sets, you may be in for a very pleasant

surprise.

WEATHER AND MOON?

You’ll need to visit the spot you’re intending to

What’s that you say? You’ve heard old wives’ tales

fish during the day. Scout out a suitable location about fishing and the moon? Well, let’s revisit those (and you know enough now, after reading this book tales. I know more than one angler who swears that to do just that!).

he gauges his fishing trips by the weather and the

And don’t even think you can avoid this step. moon.

This is vital to your success. Not doing your

According to these veteran fishermen, no two

homework could mean come nightfall that instead factors figure into a good fishing trip more than the of fishing, you’ll be untangling your line from brush. weather and the moon. Why? Because these are the Once you know where you’ll be fishing, be sure two vital links that appear to dictate a trout’s behavior.

you arrive at your intended destination with a variety

of big lures. And you especially want big lures that MOONRISE, MOONSET

imitate leeches and nymphs.

You already know that trout feed at dawn and

If you’re planning on using some decent sized dusk. But trout also eat at moonrise and moonset.

36 The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share

THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

Now, the moon affects a whole array of factors about on your hook. It’ll just crumble off. Soft cheese is the fish — not the least of which is the live food they really what you want to use.

hunt. So these periods, combined with the phase of

the moon, affect their feeding pattern.

WHAT’S A GANG HOOK?

All you really need to know to be an effective

Not only is it essential that you know what a gang

angler is when the sun and the moon rise and set. hook is, you should seriously consider using one on And one more thing. The secret lies in knowing that occasion. A gang hook is very much what it sounds fish are most active during that 90-minute window like. It’s two small hooks tied in tandem.

surrounding these events. That’s 45 minutes before

and after the sunrise and 45 minutes before and

Why is this a good thing? Because when you put

after the moonrise.

your worm or minnow on these, you can put them

on in such a way that they look more realistic to the

FULL MOON:

trout. And we know trout are all about “realism”.

NOT JUST FOR WEREWOLVES

FASTER CURRENT,

But wait! There’s more. Think full moon. No, I’m LONGER ROD

not talking vampires or any werewolves. Think also

new moon. If you can, plan to be at the edge of the

Many a trout fisherman live by this axiom. When

water at these times. Just trust me on this one! Give the water is higher than normal — and you’ll discover it a try.

this happens in the spring — you may want to pull

out a rod that is about six foot long. This extra length

Trying out power bait? This is a popular bait. But comes in handy in the heavier current of the season.

keep in mind you want to use just enough to cover Give it a try.

your hook. No more than this.

It seems to me you’re now fairly well armed to go

DON’T FORGET THE LIVE BAI

trout fishing with the best of them. The best of the

trout anglers as well as the best of the trout!

If you’re more the “live bait” type angler, then

those nightcrawlers we’ve been talking about are your

So what are you waiting for? Let’s go fishing

choice. But make sure you have fairly active ones. together!

You want these guys to move around quite a bit.

CONCLUSION

Some trout fishermen prefer to use salmon eggs.

If you decide to try this, the first thing you should

From your equipment to climbing into the inside

know about them is to handle them carefully. Oh, of a trout’s mind, we’ve pretty much covered all the yes! You need to be gentle with them. They’re very essentials of trout fishing. This knowledge will get soft and they crush quite easily.

you started fishing just about any species of trout.

W

But what’s more, you’re now familiar with both

HO MOVED MY CHEESE?

spin and fly fishing. You also know where to look for

Cheese? Yes. But don’t try putting the hard cheese

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THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

those elusive golden trout, the fast-moving brown

So it looks as if my job is done here. Except for

trout, and the acrobatic rainbow trout.

perhaps one last item. When are you going fishing?

My job is now to help you to nail down a date.

And you have some tricks up your sleeve should Remember, there’s no bad time to go trout fishing.

the going get tough. You can also use these in

conversations with more experienced trout fishermen.

So let’s set a date. Let’s go fishing together! I hope

(It’s always good to appear knowledgable in front of to see you down at the stream soon!

other anglers!)

APPENDIX I

Glossary

A.C. Plug:

A.C. Plug: The brand name of a large trout imitating lure. It’s made of wood and is a top water variety.

Acidity:

Acidity: This refers to the degree of “sourness” of the water. Acidity is measured in a pH

level, with a measurement of seven (7) indicating neutrality — neither overly acidic or alkaline. Two (2) indicates the liquid is a strong acid.

Action:

Action: This is the measurement of the rod performance. It ranges from slow to fast, describing the elapse time from the point when the rod is flexed to the point it returns to its straight configuration. This term also refers to the strength of the rod: light, medium and heavy. Light is a limber rod and heavy denotes a stout rod.

Active fish:

Active fish: This term refers to fish in the process of feeding heavily and striking aggressively.

Adipose fin:

Adipose fin: This is the fin on some species of fish, located between the dorsal and tail fin.

It’s usually considered to be a fatty fin.

Air bladder:

Air bladder: A gas filled sac, located in the upper part of the body cavity. Found on many bony fish. It’s right beneath the vertebral column. The task of the air bladder is to offset the weight of the heavier tissue, such as bone.

Algae:

Algae: A single cell plant organism commonly found in water.

Alkalinity:

Alkalinity: This is a measurement of the amount of acid neutralizing bases in a liquid.

Anal fin:

Anal fin: An unpaired fin, it lies along the midline of the body, just below the anus and is normally found on the back half of the fish.

Angler: The term normally used to describe a person who uses a rod and reel to fish.

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Angleworm:

Angleworm: Any live earthworm placed on a fishing hook.

Angling:

Angling: This term refers to the sport of catching fish with a rod and a reel.

Anti-reverse:

Anti-reverse: This is a system which prevents reels — most commonly bait casters — spinning in reverse and causing tangles.

Apache trout:

Apache trout: One of two native trout species found in the state of Arizona. The body color is a goldish yellow. The dorsal and tail fins have dark bold spots on them. The body itself is barely spotted but what’s there normally extents below the lateral line.

Considered an endangered species, though limiting fish is legalized.

Artificial lures and flies:

Artificial lures and flies: This refers to devices, created by humans, intended as bait for fish.

It doesn’t include, obviously live bait or dead organism.

Attractant:

Attractant: A scent — which can be found in either liquid or powder form — applied to fishing lures to lure more fish.

Back cast: A term normally used in fly fishing, it refers to the portion of the casting action in which the fly rod and the fishing line are moved from the front of an angler to the back of it. There can be a series of successive back casts occurring when the line is being played out to increase the distance as well as the accuracy of the cast.

Backing:

Backing: Line that’s used to partially fill the reel before the main fishing line is placed on it.

Most commonly this is done in fly fishing.

Backlash:

Backlash: An overrun of revolving spool reel, like bait-cast reel, which causes the line to billow off the reel and tangle.

Back trolling:

Back trolling: This term refers to a method of controlling your boat using a motor and a series of maneuvers in the presentation of lure or bait. Most commonly, the back-troll method uses a front-mounted trolling motor in order to propel the boat backwards. This causes the lure to be dragged or trolled in front of the boat. Many times, the back-troll methods apply a slow stop-and-go technique.

Back wash:

Back wash: This term refers to rough water as a result of boat wakes rebounding off stationary objects, like canyon walls, docks or even nearby anchored boats.

Backwater:

Backwater: The shallow area of a river — sometimes isolated — and many times located behind a sand bar or other obstruction in the river. See oxbow.

Bag limit: Term which indicates the maximum number of fish an angler may keep, generally on a daily basis.

Bail:

Bail: This is the metal, semi-circular arm of an open-face spinning reel that engages the line after a cast.

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THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

Bait:

Bait: Refers to both live and artificial bait.

Baitcasting:

Baitcasting: When an angler uses a revolving-spool reel and a baitcasting rod. This type of rod is distinguishable for its reel mounted on the topside of the the rod.

Baitwell:

Baitwell: A well or livewell in the boat that holds bait.

Bankfishing: Fishing method that involves casting from the back of the body of water.

Bar:

Bar: A long, shallow ridge in a body of water.

Barb:

Barb: The sharp pointed projection of a fishing hook which holds the fish.

Barbless:

Barbless: This term refers to a hook that has no barb or one in which the barb has been purposely cut or filed off, or flattened.

Bay:

Bay: A major indentation in the shoreline of a body of water.

Bead-headed midges:

Bead-headed midges: A type of fly in fly-fishing.

Bell sinker:

Bell sinker: A fishing weight shaped like a bell.

Belly Boat:

Belly Boat: The brand name of a rubber inner tube boat used for fishing quiet waters Bobber:

Bobber: This term refers to a float attached to a line under which a hook or sinker hangs. It holds the bait or lure at a certain depth. It also signals the strike of a trout.

Brook trout:

Brook trout: A species of fish also referred to as brookie.

Brown trout:

Brown trout: Also called German brown or brownie.

Brushline:

Brushline: The inside or outside edge of a stretch of brush.

Caddis fly:

Caddis fly: Aquatic insect characterized by swept-back wings. Any insect that goes through a complete metamorphosis like the butterfly. A caddis worm is the larva of a caddis fly.

Catch and release: This refers to a method of fishing in which you catch the fish and immediately release it back into the water. In some areas, this is mandated for trout fishing.

Channel:

Channel: Term which refers to the bed of a stream or river. A channel can also be a submerged stream or river channel in a reservoir.

Cover:

Cover: Either a natural or man-made object on the bottom of a lake or river. It refers especially to an area in which fish find refuge.

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THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

Cutthroat trout:

Cutthroat trout: A specific species of trout characterized by a red or orange slash under its throat.

Depthfinder:

Depthfinder: A sonar device which reads the bottom structure of bodies of water including determining the depth. In some instances, these devices are also capable of locating fish.

Dorsal fin:

Dorsal fin: A median fin of a fish. Located along it’s back, it is usually supported by rays, which sometimes makes it look like a fan or sail.

Earthworm: Refers to any of the many varieties of fishing worms, including nightcrawlers, garden worms, leaf worms and red wigglers.

Eutrophic: Waters that contain an abundance of nutrients and are warm. They have many shallow basins in them.

Eyelets:

Eyelets: This term refers to the line guides or rings of a fishing rod. The line is passed through these.

False-casting:

False-casting: Fly fishing technique used to increase the length of line and perfect the accuracy.

Fingerling:

Fingerling: A young fish, about a finger long. Usually refers to one that is at least 2 inches in length.

Fly-casting:

Fly-casting: A method to cast flies for fishing purposes.

Fly line:

Fly line: A specific type of line designed for fly fishing.

Fry:

Fry: The term refers to the immature fish from the time they hatch until they become large enough to be fingerlings

Hellgrammite:

Hellgrammite: Term refers to the larvae of the dobsonfly.

Hump:

Hump: This term refers to an island that is completely submerged in water. It can be a great place to find fish.

Icthyology:

Icthyology: The science of studying fish.

Jig:

Jig: Any hook with a leadhead usually dressed with hair, silicone, plastic or bait.

Larva:

Larva: This term refers to the subsurface stage of development of an aquatic insect.

Livebox:

Livebox: Any box or container used to keep bait or caught fish alive.

Mono: Shortened term referring to a monofilament fishing line.

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THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

Nares:

Nares: The term means the nostrils of a fish.

Otolith:

Otolith: The fish’s ear bone.

Parr:

Parr: Small, young fish of the trout family, characterized by parr marks, wide, vertical bars on the sides of the fish.

Rip-rap:

Rip-rap: Heavy stone facing found along the banks of some shores. It protects the nearby upland against wave scour. It’s a favorite place for trout to hide.

Starboard:

Starboard: This term refers to the right side of a boat or ship.

Thermocline:

Thermocline: The narrow band of water where the temperature drops radically. This is usually found between 30 and 70 feet.

Treble hook:

Treble hook: A hook containing either a single or bundled shaft that has three points.

Trolling:

Trolling: Towing one or more lures behind a boat.

Zooplankton:

Zooplankton: This term refers to microscopic organisms that drift freely in the water column.

APPENDIX II

Basic Trout Fishing Techniques

Trout Fishing with Nightcrawlers

Step #1:

Step #1: Hook half of a night crawler once (and only once) at either end.

Step #2: Approach the body of water quietly from downstream. Keep yourself well hidden from the fish.

Step #3:

Step #3: Cast upstream over the pool.

Step #4:

Step #4: Let the nightcrawler drift downstream naturally back towards you.

Step #5

Step #5: Keep your eye on the line. It will float. You’ll be able to detect when you have a bite.

Step #6: Be patient. (Oh, maybe I should have made this the first step!) Step #7: The moment you find you’ve disturbed the pool, don’t waste another moment. Pack up and move on. This means that you need to stay out the water.

If you’re fishing with Hellgrammites or water worms — both of which can be very effective —then you should let them drift naturally into the pool. This can be down quite effectively with only a gentle upstream cast. You can also accomplish this by drifting the bait down to the pool of water from upstream. (This specific technique may also come in handy when you’re fishing in a spot that is providing the trout protection through the cover of a fallen tree.) 42 The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share

THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

REFERENCES

Web Sites

A Guide To Brook Trout, http://www.flyfishinggear.info/how_to/brook_trout.shtm, accessed 22 April 10.

Basic Trout-Fishing Tactics, http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/crystalsprings_hatchery/

basic_tactics.html, accessed 25 Apr 10.

Casting Spoon, http://www.jerrysflies.com/site/1539927/page/668741, accessed 27 Apr 10.

Choosing the Right Fly Line, http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/

C F P a g e ? s t o r e I d = 1 0 1 5 1 amp; c a t a l o g I d = 1 0 0 0 1 amp; l a n g I d = -

1amp;mode=articleamp;objectID=33176, accessed 21 April 10.

Flatlining, http://www.trophytrouthunter.com/id41.html, accessed 26 Apr 10.

Fly Lines: A Buyer’s Guide to Fly Lines, http://www.flyfishinggear.info/buyers_guide/

fly_lines_guide.shtm, accessed 24 Apr 10

Fly Lines: Fly Line Tapers Explained, http://www.flyfishinggear.info/buyers_guide/

fly_lines_guide3.shtm, accessed 24 Apr 10

Fly Fishing: Trout Senses — Smell, http://www.flyfishinggear.info/how_to/trout-senses-smell.shtm, accessed 22 April 10.

Kelly, J. Michael, 10 Great Spring Trout Lures, http://www.gameandfishmag.com/fishing/

trout-fishing/gf_aa046603a/, accessed 27 Apr 10.

Merwin, John, Four ways to troll for trout, salmon, crappies, walleyes, and Northern Pike http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/fishing/trout-fishing/where-fish-trout/2009/

07/summer-trolling, accessed 26 Apr 10

Night Trout Fishing Tips, http://www.rainbowtroutlures.com/night-trout-fishing-tips#more-303, accessed, 30 Apr 10.

Paragamian, Vaughn L., Fisheries Research Biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, http://www.iowadnr.gov/fish/iafish/trt-fish.html, accessed 24 Apr 10

Rip Rap, http://boatdockworks.com/blog/2010/02/16/rip-rap/, accessed 24 Apr 10.

Rose, David, Fishing By Moon Phase: Increase Your Catch, http://ezinearticles.com/?Fishing-By-Moon-Phase:-Increase-Your-Catchamp;id=71934, 30 Apr 10.

The Secrets Professionals Refuse To Share 43

THE ESSENTIAL TROUT FISHING GUIDE

Some Great Trout Fishing Tips, http://ezinearticles.com/?Some-Great-Trout-Fishing-Tipsamp;id=463162, 30 Apr 10.

Spin fishing, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spin_fishing, accessed 23 Apr 10.

The Extraordinary Rainbow Trout, http://www.bcadventure.com/ronnewman/rainbow.phtml, accessed 28 Apr 10.

Trolling Lead-Core Line, http://fishresource.com/basics/trollead.asp, 29 Apr 10.

BOOKS

Deitrich, Jeff, Spinner Fishing for Trout: A Proven System of Tackle, Techniques and strategies for Catching Trout, Stackpole Books, 2004.

Goddard, John, Jardine, Charles, Kreh, Lefty, John Goddard’s Trout-Fishing Techniques: Practical Fly-Fishing Solutions From An International Master, Globe Pequot, 2003.

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