Beginning Trout Fishing: The Basics

If you are new to trout fishing, understanding the basics will make fishing for these fish much more enjoyable. In this article I will use my 25 years of trout fishing experience to outline some of the basics of trout fishing. All too many anglers neglect these simple tips and thus experience very little success. Keeping these things in mind when trout fishing will make you a much more successful trout angler, no matter where you choose to fish.

The first thing that you need to understand is where trout are found. In almost all cases trout are found in cold, clear, flowing water. Although trout are certainly found in lakes, in most cases these trout have been stocked by your states fish and game department. These basics are best employed when fishing in the flowing waters of rivers and/or streams, although they can also be applied to lake fishing.

When fishing for trout in rivers and/or streams most of the time you will be in or right next to the water in which you are fishing. This is important to remember because trout are very aware of their surroundings. If the trout you are fishing for see or hear you, they are much less apt to bite. This is especially true with larger, more experienced trout. You always want to make sure that you wear clothing that doesn't "stand out" and that you "tread lightly" if you are wading.

What about your fishing gear, namely your rod, reel, and fishing line? All too many people use rods, reels, and fishing line that are entirely too heavy. When fishing for trout you should use an ultra light rod and reel and that reel should be spooled with light line. For beginning trout fishing six pound test works great, and as experience is gained graduating to four pound test fishing line is a wonderful idea. The lighter your fishing line, the less visible it will be to the trout.

Another great tip for the beginning trout angler is to present your bait in the most natural way possible. One of the most readily available baits for trout fishing is worms and worms are great trout bait (when used properly). The key is to present your worms naturally, which can be accomplished by using gang hooks. Gang hooks allow worms to be presented outstretched, the way they appear in nature, and still have a hook 'working for you'. A worm rigged on a set of gang hooks and allowed to flow naturally with the current is an effective trout fishing tactic.

The most important thing for beginning trout fishing is to spend as much time as you can on the water fishing. Nothing will increase your skills and catch rates like practicing your craft. The more time that can be spent on the water fishing for trout, the better off you will be.