River Fishing Tips : Drifting Fishing For Trout

One of the best ways to catch trout in rivers and streams is to go drift fishing. For anyone who doesn't know what "drift fishing" is it is simply fishing by allowing your bait or lure to "drift" with the current of the river or stream that you are fishing in an attempt to catch fish. This technique is effective for most any species of fish that swims in a river and is one of the best river fishing tips that you will ever receive for river fishing for trout.

The first thing to consider when drift fishing for trout is the size of your rod, reel, and the line that said reel is spooled with. Both your rod and reel should be ultralight action. When it comes to your rod and river fishing tips, a great tip is to use different a longer rod the heavier the current is flowing. For example, when the river that your are fishing is flowing "normally" a five to five and a half foot ultralight rod is in order. When the current of the river that you are fishing is flowing "heavily" (such as in the spring) a longer ultralight rod is in order, say six to seven feet. The longer your fishing rod the more "feel" you will have as the current flow increases and your ability to "feel" in integral to drift fishing.

Next is your fishing line. Monofilament or fluorocarbon line that is either four or six pound test is the perfect size for drift fishing for trout. A key to drift fishing for trout is being able to visually see the line that is not underwater while the "drift" is taking place. This is why fishing line that is clear/blue in color is incredibly important to drift fishing. Clear/blue line is highly visible out of the water, yet is invisible to the fish beneath the water. Whatever brand of monofilament or fluorocarbon fishing line you choose to use, make sure that the color of the line is invisible under the water, while being visible to you above the water.

When you are drift fishing for trout (or any other fish species for that matter) you want to do it by standing in the current of the river itself and casting parallel to where you are standing. The bail on your reel is closed and the bait or lure is allowed to "drift" as the current takes the offering downstream. When the bait or lure is directly below where you are standing the "drift" is over and the offering is reeled in. This is "drift fishing" and with practice will probably become your favorite river fishing technique.

Drift fishing for trout is an excellent way to enjoy trout fishing and/or to catch a trout. The biggest key to the technique is practice. As you learn all the little nuances of drift fishing, such as adding and/or removing split shot sinkers to keep your offering near the bottom, you will become much more successful at it. Make drift fishing a part of your arsenal sooner rather than later.