The Ultimate Trout Fishing Blog

Working The Feeding Lanes

2012-03-08T11:35:00.000-07:00

Whether you are a fly fisherman or prefer to fish for trout when using traditional spin fishing gear, one of the most important areas of a river to concentrate on are the areas that are often refereed to as "feeding lanes". Feeding lanes are the areas within a river where bait fish and other trout food sources tend to congregate. In fact in many cases rather than "congregating" in feeding lanes, bait is funneled into these areas because of the way that the current is flowing.

As trout fishermen we want to be aware of where these feeding lanes are within a river so that we can maximize our time on the water. "Feeding Lanes" are generally area's within the river that trout can hold in the current and let food come to them, rather than having to go find it and working these feeding lanes is one of the best trout fishing tips that you will ever receive. By spending time in these areas the trout can expend as little energy as possible to get a meal. Nowhere is this point more true than when you are talking about large trout. Large trout will often move very little when feeding which is important to anyone who is seeking trophy trout.

Below I will outline a few of the most common area's of a river, where a feeding lane is created, so that you can concentrate your trout fishing efforts on these areas.

Outside Bends - When a river bends, making a sharp right or left turn, the current "digs" out the outside edge of the bend making the water deeper. This area is known as a "feeding lane" and a place where trout will hold to feed. The current isn't nearly as harsh along the outside edge of bends in the river, meaning that the trout can expend less energy holding in the current. These outside bends need to be fishing thoroughly any time that they are encountered.

Large Underwater Boulders - Many trout fishing rivers contain large boulders that sit in the middle of raging current. As you can imaging, behind these boulders the current is much less fierce, and is a perfect place for a hungry trout to sit and wait for food. For this reason, we want to make sure that we fish directly behind large boulders, especially if the boulder sits directly in heavy current flows.

Natural Funnels - On many trout fishing rivers the topography creates natural areas where the river itself becomes much more narrow in relation to the rest of the river. When this happens, these "thinner" area's of the river are generally fairly deep and contain water that is flowing faster than the rest of the river. Trout will hold directly below and to the sides of these natural funnels, waiting for anything that gets pushed through the "funnel" and out the other side.

The bottom line is that working the feeding lanes is integral to catching trout consistently in rivers and the aforementioned areas are a great place to start. Implement these simple trout fishing tips into your arsenal today and start experiencing more success fishing for the beautiful fish known as trout.

Rainbow Trout Fishing - Drift Fishing Meal Worms

2012-03-04T11:49:00.000-07:00

One type of bait that often gets overlooked when you talk about rainbow trout fishing (except of course when it come to ice fishing) are meal worms. These weird looking "worms", that look like a cross between a grub and a small alien, are often used for as bait for rainbow trout under the ice, but once the ice melts are quickly forgotten as anglers opt for more "traditional" types of trout bait.

This is a big mistake as meal worms can be an excellent bait when they are "drift fished" in rivers that contain hungry rainbow trout. One of the best times to use this particular trout bait is during the spring, when river flows are generally high and muddy. This seems to be because when rivers flows are high a lot of interesting food sources get "washed" into the water that wouldn't otherwise be present. Whatever the reason, the bottom line is that drift fishing meal worms is an extremely effective trout fishing technique.

So how does one go about drift fishing with these little creatures to catch rainbow trout? The first thing that is needed is a seven to seven and a half foot ultralight rod with matching reel that is spooled with either two or four pound test fishing line. The long rod will give you plenty of "feel" as your meal worm (s) drift through the current and the light line will be invisible to the trout that you are attempting to catch, which means that you will receive more bites.

You want to rig a single #8 or #10 single fishing hook or a set of double fishing hooks such as gang hooks that are of equal size onto a 12-18 inch leader that is attached to the end of your fishing line using a small swivel. A meal worm is now "threaded" on to the hook (or one 'mealie' on each hook in the case of gang hooks) by starting just below the meal worms head and coming out 1/4 of the way before the end of the meal worms body. Much like you do when you thread a plastic grub onto a jig head, but in this case the live meal worm is the "body". Weight is now added to your line above the barrel swivel to keep your meal worm (s) as close to the bottom as possible as the drift is taking place. When rainbow trout fishing with meal worms you want the bait to be as close to the bottom as possible because this is often where the trout are feeding.

In order to drift fish for rainbow trout successfully, you want to be standing in the river that you are fishing and cast parallel to a little upstream of where you are standing, close the bail of your reel, and hold your rod tip in the air. You want to follow your bait with your rod tip as it drifts until the bait is directly downstream of where you are standing. At this point, reel in and repeat the process.

You should feel your weights "ticking" along the bottom of the river as your meal worm drifts. When a hungry rainbow trout takes the bait, you will know it because a bite feels distinctly different than the bottom. In fact many time hungry rainbow trout will simply engulf your meal worm with a steady tug. In any case, any time that anything "out of the ordinary" happens with your drift, set the hook and it should be "fish on"!

When it comes to rainbow trout fishing, drift fishing with this live bait is a technique that should be a part of every serious spin fisherman's arsenal, there's no doubt about it.

Spring Is Upon Us!

2012-03-02T07:02:00.000-07:00

The month of march has begun and in my mind that means one thing. Trout fishing season is right around the corner! Oh sure, the snow is still flying around a little bit here in Northwest Montana, but the weather will be getting better and better from here on out, and so will the trout fishing.

There is nothing better than when the weather begins to change in the spring of the year. Everything seems to come alive after a long winters "sleep" and the trout fishing follows suit right along with everything else in nature. Although it may not feel like it at this particular moment, the truth is that spring is upon us and that makes me one happy camper.

Tips For Fishing For Stocked Trout

2012-02-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

As the winter begins to wind down and warmer weather starts to become more of a reality fishermen begin to get antsy. Nowhere is this fact more true than with people who fish for trout because during the springtime trout fishing starts to creep to the forefront of many fisherman's minds. In many areas of the country this means one thing, fishing for stocked trout.

For anyone who might be new to the world of trout fishing, the term stocked trout may be a term that you are unfamiliar with, but the truth of the matter is that you shouldn't be. In 75% of the cases stocked trout are the type of trout that that you are going to be fishing for and this is important to know because trout that have been stocked tend to eat very different things than trout that are native to a body of water. You see, trout that have been stocked have been born and raised by human beings in a hatchery for the express purpose of being placed into a body of water and be fished for by fishermen.

Therefore in most instances when you go fishing for trout that have been stocked into a body of water you want to adjust the types of baits that you use because of this fact. Seeing as how these trout are used to being "fed" by humans, natural bait's usually aren't as effective as man-made trout baits. An example of a man made trout bait that is effective for stocked trout would be Berkley Powerbait. Flavor enhanced marshmallows would be another.

When fishing for stocked trout with these types of baits, bottom fishing is the preferred technique. This means that a hook or hooks (in the case of gang hooks) are baited with man made trout bait, cast into the water, and "bottom fished" (otherwise referred to as "still fishing"). Although fishing for trout in this manner may not seem like "trout fishing" to some people (especially purists) it is nonetheless the most effective way of fishing for stocked trout.

Of course stocked trout are also placed into rivers and streams and in these cases "still fishing" for them isn't a viable option. In these cases, using baits that mimic live bait, but are nonetheless man-made are a great way to go. The most popular of these trout baits are known as Berkley trout worms and/or the Berkley's "alive" products. These are all baits that are man-made and extruded into a worm, minnow, maggot, or even cray fish shape. All of these baits are effective choices when fishing for stocked trout in the flowing waters of a river or stream.

The bottom line that fishing for stocked trout is very different from fishing for trout that are born naturally in a body of water and the types of baits, techniques, and approaches that are utilized need to be adjusted accordingly.

Early Spring Trout Fishing

2012-02-16T10:57:00.001-07:00

Spring is right around the corner, and that means trout fishing is right around the corner as well. As the weather and water temperatures warm, trout fishing becomes much better and in this article I'm going to discuss some tips and techniques for early spring trout fishing that will help anyone be more successful. These tips and techniques have been proven through over fifty years of combined trout fishing experience. So, let's get down to business, shall we?

The first thing to keep in mind when fishing for trout in the early spring is that the warmest part of the day is usually the most productive. The trout are used to the cold temperatures of winter, which slows their metabolism, and makes them less active. As the water begins to warms up as winter ends, trout become much more active. For this reason, the hottest part of the day is your best bet for trout fishing.

The next tip to keep in mind for early season trout fishing is whenever live bait is employed, gang hooks should be used. Gang hooks are the most effective way to present live bait (especially live worms). When trout fishing size #8 or size #10 gang hooks are the most effective sizes, and enable you to present live worms in an outstretched and natural manner, rather than presenting a live worm like some sort of worm ball. This makes a huge difference in your bite rates.

In many areas of the country, the early spring means high water. Either because of rain or run-off, high water can make trout fishing much more challenging. A great tip is to use a longer fishing rod. I personally use a six foot six inch ultra light rod to fish in high water, whereas in normal water conditions I use a five foot rod. Using a longer rod makes "feeling" your bait and bottom much easier.

My next tip for early spring trout fishing is to make sure that your fishing when the trout are the most active. How is this accomplished? Simply by paying attention to the weather & moon, and planning your fishing outings accordingly. This simple tip will result in many more bites. These two forces of Mother Nature have an amazing impact on the feeding behavior of trout.

Finally, you must have an effective way to carry your live bait while fishing. This is important because the more time you can spend with your line in the water where the fish are, rather than out of the water while you search for bait and such, the better. Having your live bait at you fingertips is extremely important, and this can be accomplished by using a bait bag. This may sound strange, but once you use a bait bag (especially for carrying live worms) you'll wonder how you ever fished without one.

These simple, yet incredibly effective tips will help you have much more success on your early spring trout fishing excursions. And remember: the trout fishing gets better and better as the weather continues to warm up throughout the spring. For those of us who like to fish for trout it's time for this season to get underway.

Ice Fishing For Trout - 3 Effective Baits

2012-02-09T07:19:00.000-07:00

One of the most popular species of fish to spend time on a frozen lake fishing for are trout and in this article I will outline 3 of the best baits to use when fishing for trout through the ice and some tips for putting said trout bait into action. Seeing as how trout are a cold water fish, they tend to stay fairly "active" year round, which makes ice fishing for trout a very popular winter time activity in many area's of the northern United States and all of Canada.

One of the most important aspects of ice fishing for trout are the type of bait that is used and the ways in which the trout bait is employed. It's also important to point out that in most cases "low light" times of the day, which means mornings and evenings are typically better for ice fishing. So, try to be out on the ice during the early morning and/or late evening if you want to have the best chance of catching some trout.

With that being said, below you will find 3 trout baits, one or all of all of which you should have available to you the next time that you head out onto the ice in search of trout. The baits are being listed in no particular order and are all great choices when it comes to ice fishing for trout.

Tiny Jigs Tipped with Maggots - Tiny jigs, sometimes as small as 1/100 of an ounce (this is obviously really tiny!) that have been "tipped" with a live maggot is an excellent bait to use when ice fishing for trout. When fishing trout bait such as small jigs, remember to not 'jig' your jig as much as you might think you should. When ice fishing many times less movement is more productive than a constant jigging action.
Powerbait - Powerbait is an excellent bait for trout, especially if those trout have been planted, which is the case many times with trout in lakes. Again smaller is better when fishing trout bait such as Powerbait. A device such as an "eggberry" forms a perfect salmon egg sized ball around a #18 or smaller treble hook, which is the perfect size for ice fishing for trout. I've even seen ice fishermen go about fishing trout bait such as Powerbait by "tipping" their small jig with it. Although Powerbait is often thought of as a good bait for lake fishing at other times, it is often overlooked when the subject of ice fishing comes up.
Live Minnows - live minnows can be hard to come by in some area's, but nonetheless make an excellent bait for ice fishing. A great way to go fishing with this trout bait is to rig a minnow under a tip-up in shallow water (2 to 6 feet). This is a great ice fishing tactic that has helped me catch many trout over the years.

The bottom line is that all of these baits are an excellent choice when it comes to fishing trout bait under the ice. As I said if any of these baits aren't a part of your ice fishing arsenal, they should be added sooner, rather than later.

Early Season Trout Fishing Tips

2012-02-04T07:47:00.001-07:00

Before we know it the weather is going to start to warm up, the rivers are going to begin to rise, and trout fishing is going to begin. After six or so months of cold weather and trout fishing being difficult at best, early season trout fishing is right around the corner. In this article I'm going to provide some tips to help you catch more trout during the early season. Most of these tips are going to be focused on fishing in small rivers and streams, but can easily be modified for fishing in lakes as well.

Trout fishing can be a challenge in the early season for many reasons during the early season, but the most difficult to manage has to be high water. Depending on where you live, the trout fishing can be very good in the early season right before water levels begin to rise, but I digress. When your favorite trout river is high, stained, but still fish-able you have to make sure you employ a longer fishing rod. This not only improves your casting distance, but also enables you to "feel" your bait or lure much better.

Here's exactly what I do. During most of the trout fishing season I use a five foot ultra light rod and matching reel. During the spring when the water is high I switch to a six and a half foot ultra light rod of the same model. This allows me to "feel" what's going on with my offering much better. During early season trout fishing make sure you use a longer fishing rod than you do during the rest of the season.

High water also means that you're going to need to use much more weight than you normally would. Whether you're fishing with bait or a lure, you are going to have to use much more weight on your line than you normally would. This is obviously due to current flow and water depth. Getting snagged is also much more common in high water conditions, which is something to keep in mind.

When using lures such as Rooster Tails, spoons, and even jigs in the high water of early spring don't be afraid to use colors that stand out a bit. This is a good time of year for chartreuse, fluorescent, and white colors. Spoons in silver, rather than gold, are also more effective during early season trout fishing.

When using bait for early season trout fishing, gang hooks are always a great idea. These hooks allow you to present your bait (especially if you use worms) in a completely natural manner. This means that you will receive many more bites. Gang hooks should definitely be a part of your early season trout fishing repertoire.

The last thing to keep in mind during early season trout fishing is to be very careful while wading. The high, and many times muddy, water conditions make wading much more challenging than normal. This means that extra care should be exercised during early season trout fishing. Remember to "work with the water" rather than trying to fight it. The last thing anyone needs is to take that wet and wild ride on their butt, while trying to hold on to their $150 dollar rod/reel combo.

Preparing For The Spring

2012-01-25T05:45:00.000-07:00

The weather here in NW Montana has been confusing to say the least. One day it's very cold and snowing, then a few days later the temperatures are in the high thirties and its raining? This, of course, has made ice fishing for trout somewhat of a "pipe dream", unless of course you want to pack all of your gear up and drive into the mountains, which at this time doesn't interest me quite as much as it used to.

I guess the point to all of this is that this strange weather must be the universes way of saying, "use this time to prepare for the upcoming spring fishing season." Maybe, maybe not, but I think that this might be something to consider? In fact, it's what I'm going to do. Rather than be concerned about the weather and why things are happening the way that they are, I'm going to use this time to prepare for the upcoming spring trout fishing season.

Ice Fishing For Rainbow Trout

2012-01-19T06:54:00.000-07:00

A very popular winter time activity is ice fishing for trout rainbow trout and in this article I will outline a few tips so that you can experience more success on your next excursion out onto a frozen lake in search of these beautiful and tasty fish. Rainbow trout are active during all seasons, so fishing for them through the ice can be very productive. The biggest key to ice fishing for rainbow trout is the type of bait that is used.

Although many different types of bait will catch trout, small jigs or KastMasters that have been tipped with maggots or mealworms are a great choice. A good tip is to arrive early in the morning, punch your holes in the ice and then let the lake "settle" for an hour or so while you prepare your gear and bait for fishing. This will allow the trout a little time to "get back to normal" after the initial ruckus of walking around and drilling holes through the ice subsides. During this "waiting" time many ice fishing trout anglers like to aggressively jig a large flashy spoon or spinner. The vibrations can attract hungry trout to the area, although don't expect them to bite this attractor spoon very often, this is being done simply to attract rainbows to the area.

After an hour or so, it's time to drop a small jig (from 1/6 to 1/50 of an ounce) or a small silver KastMaster that has been "tipped" with maggots or a "mealy" through your hole. Although the common practice is to "jig" your jig or Kastmaster constantly, when ice fishing for rainbow trout it is often more productive to not "jig" your bait very often, once every thirty seconds to a minute is a good "rule of thumb". When it comes to ice fishing for rainbow trout, in most instances less is more when it comes to "jigging" your lure.

Plain live bait such as minnows, meal worms, maggots, night crawlers, or even Powerbait can be effective when used for rainbow trout through the ice. You can effectively "double" your chances by rigging your rainbow trout bait on a set of #8 or #10 gang hooks. Many ice fishermen like to use any of the above trout baits by rigging gang hooks baited with bait under tip-ups. This can be a very successful ice fishing strategy.

Location is very important when ice fishing for rainbow trout and many times underwater structure is a key to success. If you are familiar with the lake you are ice fishing on or can read a map to determine where underwater rock riles, trees, submerged fence lines, etc. are you need to punch holes in these area's. Underwater structure is a key to success when ice fishing for rainbow trout. Rainbows relate to structure in the winter time. Don't neglect the extreme edges of the lake either; I'm talking about 2-4 feet of water. In many instances rainbow trout are susceptible to be caught through the ice as they "cruise" the shoreline of the lake.

Winter Trout Fishing - 3 Items Every Winter Trout Fisherman Needs or Needs to Keep in Mind

2012-01-08T13:39:00.001-07:00

When fishing for trout in the winter, there are a few items that every trout fisherman needs. Fishing for trout during the winter months is tough enough; there is no need to make it tougher by not having these items available to you on the water. In this article I will outline 3 items every winter trout fisherman needs to have available to them. These items will not only make the winter trout fishing experience more successful, but also more comfortable.

When winter hits trout don't stop feeding completely, but they certainly feed much less often. You see trout like all fish are cold blooded so when the water temperatures drop, their body temperature drops, and when a fish's body temperature drops they become much less active and thus feed less. For this reason, winter trout fishing can be a challenge to say the least.

Smaller Baits - No matter what type of trout fishing you enjoy most, traditional or fly fishing, you want to downsize your baits in the winter months. I've always found that darker colors are more effective when fishing for trout in winter as well. If you're a live bait fisherman, rather than using live worms, try maggots and meal worms as bait during the winter months. Slowing down your presentation is also in order when fishing for trout in the winter. Many times it's necessary to place your offering right in front of the trout's nose to trigger a bite.
Fishing Gloves - When fishing for trout in cool to cold weather a quality pair of fishing gloves is definitely in order. I personally carry two pairs of fishing gloves with me when fishing during the winter. A pair of fleece fingerless gloves and a pair of neoprene fishing gloves. I wear the fleece fingerless gloves at all times and the neoprene over the fleece gloves as needed. The bottom line is that when winter trout fishing quality fishing gloves are certainly a "must have" item. There is simply nothing worse that having frozen fingers and trying to fish.
To Be Fishing At The Proper Times - This is always important, but during winter trout fishing it seems to be even more important. You want to be on the water when the trout are the most active and this is accomplished by paying attention to the weather & moon. These two forces of Mother Nature have an amazing impact of the activity level of fish and using this information to your advantage is imperative during the winter months. The bottom line is that you want to be on the water when the weather & moon are in your favor, rather than working against you.

Keep these 3 things in mind on your next winter trout fishing excursion. Not only will you be more comfortable, you'll also be much more successful. Winter trout fishing may be tough, but it's certainly not impossible.

Ice Fishing Trout Tips

2012-01-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

When it comes to ice fishing for trout we could all use tips that will help us to be more successful and in this article I will list a few ice fishing trout tips that will help you experience more success on your next trip onto your favorite frozen lake. Trout, especially rainbow trout (the most popular species of trout to go ice fishing for), are active at all times of the year making them quite susceptible to being caught through the ice and these tips will help you to do just that.

An important point to make in reference to ice fishing for trout is that "low light" conditions such as mornings and evenings are usually better for catching trout through the ice. So be ready to get up early and/or stay on the lake into the evening if you want to experience the best fishing when targeting these beautiful fish. With that being said, let's get down to the ice fishing trout tips, what do you say?

Don't Neglect The Shoreline - Many times trout are found right along the shoreline of frozen lakes. I'm talking about water that's only 2-4 feet deep! As a matter of fact some of my largest trout that were caught through the ice have come in extremely shallow water. This is an often overlooked area that gets neglected in many instances. It's a good idea to make as little "noise" as possible when ice fishing in very shallow water, so pre-drilling your holes and hour or so before you plan to fish and moving around as little as possible when fishing are both great ideas when fishing close to the shoreline.
Don't Forget The Powerbait - Although maggot or minnow tips jigs and lures are both excellent bait choices when it comes to fishing through the ice for trout, don't forget to pack the Powerbait on your next trip onto the ice. Jigs "tipped" with Powerbait or powerbait fishing with a single #12 or #18 treble hook baited with this trout bait can be very effective under the ice. The bottom line is that when it comes to ice fishing trout tips, Powerbait fishing is often overlooked and probably shouldn't be.
Utilize Very Small Jigs & Lures - Some ice fishermen, especially people who are "new" to fishing through the ice, tend to use jigs and lures that are entirely too large. When fishing for trout in this manner you always want to utilize very small jigs and lures. I've seen guys use jigs as small as 1/100 of an ounce when ice fishing for trout! While something this small might seem like "overkill" the point is to use very small jigs and/or lures when fishing for trout under the ice.

These simple ice fishing trout tips will help you catch more trout on your next ice fishing excursion, there's no doubt about it. Add one (or all) of these tips to your ice fishing repertoire sooner, rather than later.

A Slip Bobber & A Micro Jig For Winter Trout

2012-01-01T13:38:00.005-07:00

Last fall I began utilizing micro jigs fished under a slip bobber as a trout fishing technique and the other day this innovative technique managed to catch me a few late season rainbow trout. In normal situations, river trout fishing in late December can be as challenging as trying to thread a needle in the dark, but as I said in my last post, this winter has been anything but normal when it comes to temperatures.

I was using a 1/32 ounce olive colored marabou jig rigged tied under a small balsa wood slip bobber during the warmest part of the day, letting the bobber drift naturally with the current and jigging my jig ever so slightly as it drifted along. About every 5th cast I would notice the bobber making motions that were "out of the ordinary" and I would set the hook. I didn't hook a fish every time that I tried, but in a little over an hour I had hooked and landed four rainbows ranging in size from eight to thirteen inches, not a bad day by anyone's estimation.

I'll tell you, I can't wait until next fishing season, so that I can give micro jigs the attention it seems like they deserve when it comes to trout fishing. Without much experience fishing them at all, I have found micro jigs fished under slip bobbers to be an extremely effective way to catch trout.

Ice Fishing? Yea Right

2011-12-31T07:57:00.000-07:00

Who in the heck wants to go ice fishing anyway? Here in Northwest Montana it has been unseasonably warm, and the last thing that anyone is doing is going ice fishing. Heck, there's not even ice anywhere, unless you go to very high elevations, so there isn't much ice fishing happening here right now. As a matter of fact, I'm going to head out and give some drift fishing a try, the trout could very well be active because the temperatures aren't as fridged as they normally are at the end of the year. Who knows, we shall see.

Ice Fishing For Trout

2011-12-22T05:42:00.000-07:00

Now that the winter has officially settled on us like a lazy dog lying on his bed next to the fireplace, ice fishing is really starting to heat up. One of the most popular fish to target when fishing through the ice are trout, and in this article I will outline a few tips that will help you catch more fish when ice fishing for trout. Add one (or all) of these simple ice fishing tips to your ice fishing repertoire and you will begin experiencing more ice fishing success.

When discussing ice fishing, I think it's important to reiterate safe ice thicknesses. I realize this info is "old hat" to experienced ice fihermen, but it's nonetheless worth mentioning for anyone who might be new to the idea of fishing on a frozen body of water. In almost all cases four inches of ice is considered safe for walking and fishing through the ice. I personally like to see six inches of ice, but this isn't necessary.

The following tips are being listed in no particular order. Use the ones that feel right to you, discard the rest, but all of the following ice fishing tips are effective.

Be On The Ice When The Trout Are Most Active: So how the heck do you know when the trout are the most active? Simple, by paying attention to the weather and moon and planning your fishing trips accordingly. The weather and moon have an amazing affect on the feeding behavior of trout and using this information to your advantage can be a big help when ice fishing for trout. Not only this, but when fishing through the ice the warmer parts of the day are generally more productive than the colder parts of the day.
Small Jigs Tipped With Bait Are Effective: Small jigs, either traditional twister tails or marabou, tipped with meal worms or maggots can be very effective when trout fishing through the ice. A key is to not provide much jigging action to your jig. As a matter of fact jigging you rod every few minutes should suffice. Trout are extremely sluggish under the ice and a lot of movement can "spook" them.
Powerbait Is Effective: I realize that this may sound strange, but if the body of water you are fishing on contains "stocked" trout, Powerbait can be very effective when ice fishing. A great technique when ice fishing for stocked trout is to us a set of gang-hooks with a small ball of Powerbait covering each hook on a set of gang-hooks. This ice fishing rig can be fished on a rod or a tip up.
Small Spoons Are Effective: Small spoons such as "Little Cleo's" can be quite effective when fishing through the ice for trout. Just as with jigs, any jigging action should be minimal in many cases. Small spoons can also be tipped with maggots or meal worms for more trout attracting power.

The bottom line is that when fishing for trout through the ice these tips have helped me over the past two decades and I know they will do the same for you. Now get out there and begin starring through a hole in the ice!

Cold Weather Trout Fishing

2011-12-17T05:05:00.000-07:00

When the weather turns cold, trout fishing can become much more difficult in most area's of the country. As the air temperature drops, so does the water temperature. And as the water temperature drops, so does the body temperature of the fish that swim in said water. When the trout's body temperature drops, they become much less active. This is especially true in river and stream situations, where the trout have to expend energy just to stay in one place.

When the trout are expending energy, just to keep from being swept downstream, and their metabolism is slow because of the water temperature, it means that catching them can be very difficult. A good rule of thumb for cold weather trout fishing is to use baits and lures that are really small or really large. The bottom line is that trout eat much less when their metabolism is slow, so when they feed they want it to be easy to get. They don't want to expend much energy.

This is why when ice fishing for trout, you don't move your rod tip very much. The trout will get scared off by something moving around too much. They know that the water's too cold for much activity. Cold weather trout fishing can be a real challenge. Remember to downsize your baits and/or lures as much as possible, and don't expect many voracious hits. The trout just aren't active enough.

During cold weather when the trout's metabolism is slow it's a great idea to be fishing at the most opportune times. What do I mean by this? Simple. The weather and moon play a huge role in the activity level of fish, and during these times when the temperature isn't cooperating, you need to make sure the weather and moon are working for your, rather than against you. There are some simple rules that anyone can learn that will have you fishing when the weather and moon are in you favor, rather than working against you.

The other big thing to remember when you're doing some cold weather trout fishing are your hands. Your hands can be the difference between fishing and not fishing, because as you probably know, once your hands get cold the game is over. This is why a good pair of fingerless gloves is so important. If you're anything like me and need your fingers free when trout fishing, quality fingerless gloves are of the utmost importance. Keep your hands warm and cold weather trout fishing is that much more fun.

The bottom line is that trout can be caught in cold weather, it's simply that you have to vary your techniques a little bit. That and make sure that the weather and moon are in your favor. Everything that you can do to tip the scale into your favor needs to be done, especially in cold weather situations. Remember what Steven Wright said of us anglers, "There's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking like an idiot." I think no truer words have ever been spoken.

Tips For Trout Fishing In Cold Weather

2011-12-07T16:08:00.000-07:00

As the year comes screeching to a halt, it means one thing to most of us who enjoy fishing for trout. It means that the weather is colder and the trout are much more sluggish and hard to catch than they are in warmer weather. Does this mean that we can't catch trout when the weather gets cold? No, not at all, it simply means that we need to keep certain things in mind when fishing in these types of conditions.

Fish, and this obviously includes trout, are cold blooded and as the water temperature drops, the fishes metabolism slows down. When a fishes metabolism slows down, they don't eat as much. And we as anglers know what it means when fish don't eat as much, right? Yep, they are much less apt to bite whatever we as anglers are offering.

Keeping in mind that trout aren't going to be as willing to eat as they will when water temperatures are higher, we as anglers need to vary our approach a little bit. This means using baits/lures that are smaller than we normally might. For example when the weather is cold, using a whole night crawler isn't going to be as productive as it might be in July. When the weather (and subsequently the water temperature) gets cold, try using small baits like meal worms and maggots. Or maybe just a piece of night crawler?

The same principle holds true for baits. Where a ¼ ounce Rooster Tail might be employed in July, in January downsize to an 1/8 ounce version of the same lure. The speed of your retrieve should be slowed down when the trout are sluggish due to cold water as well. The bottom line is this: When water temperatures plummet, trout want to expend as little energy as they can getting food. Keep this in mind when fishing for trout in cold weather.

When the trout are sluggish, it's that much more important to make sure you're fishing at the most opportune times. This is where paying attention to the weather and/or moon come into play. These two natural occurrences have a remarkable affect on the behavior of fish, and understanding how and why is important. Maximize your fishing time by learning how the weather and moon affect the behavior of the fish you're trying to catch.

Finally, you have to keep your hands warm while you're fishing, or you're in trouble. The methods I use to catch trout require me to have the unfettered use of my fingers, which means that I need fingerless gloves to help keep my hands warm. Keeping your hands warm while trout fishing is cold weather is of the utmost importance. Nothing can ruin a perfectly good fishing excursion like having your hands feel like they might fall off at any moment, I promise you that.

Follow these simple tips for trout fishing is cold weather and you'll be much more comfortable and successful. Remember, just because the weather temperatures change it doesn't mean that you have to stop fishing for trout.

Catching Rainbow Trout : 3 Tips To Help Anyone Catch More Rainbow Trout

2011-12-04T06:10:00.000-07:00

When it comes to "trout fishing" there is one species of trout that stands out above all others and that species of trout is the rainbow trout. I have been fishing for (and catching) rainbow trout for more than twenty years and in that time have learned many tips and techniques that have enabled me to achieve what many fishermen would call a very high level of trout fishing success. In this article I will draw upon this experience to outline 3 simple tips that will help anyone catch more rainbow trout the next time that they head out onto your favorite stream, lake, or river.

Just as a point of reference, it's also important to point out that I am an ultra light spin fisherman. Many people associate rainbow trout with fly fishing (and for good reason) but I am not and have never been a fly fisherman. Thus these tips all relate to the act of spin fishing with ultra light gear, rather than fly fishing, because that is where my expertise lies. With that being said, let's get down to the tips for catching rainbow trout, what do you say?

Pay Attention To The Moon Rise - Catching rainbows isn't necessarily a difficult thing to do, but catching rainbow trout consistently certainly can be. I have no doubt that you know all about the sun rise, but did you realize that there is a moon rise every day as well? Well there is and it often coincides with fish being active, just like the sun rise does. Often, rainbows will be most active in the ninety minute window that surrounds the moon rise and or setting.

Downsize Your Hooks - The same principle holds true for your fishing hooks. When it comes to catching rainbow trout bigger is definitely not better. When you downsize your fishing hooks, the hooks are much less noticeable to the fish you are trying to catch, and thus you will receive more bites.

Know Your Water - If you are truly interested in catching rainbows few things will help you as much as being familiar with the water that you are fishing. This means spending as much time on the water as you can, which incidentally shouldn't be a problem for most fishermen. The better that you know the water that you are fishing, the more trout you will catch, it's as simple as that.

Fishing for and catching rainbow trout is an activity that I have been partaking in for more than two decades and there is no doubt in my mind that the three aforementioned tips will help anyone catch more rainbow trout. Add one or all of them to your fishing repertoire sooner, rather than later.

Tips For Trout Fishing When The Mercury Drops

2011-11-29T05:18:00.000-07:00

Trout fishing in cold weather can present some unique challenges and in this article I'm going to offer some solutions to these problems. Trout are a cold water fish, but as the weather really cools off, and subsequently makes the water temperature drop, the trout's' metabolism slows and they become much less active. When this happens, trout obviously become more difficult to catch.

The first tip is to downsize your baits, lures, or flies as much as possible. The normal rule of thumb in cold weather is the smaller the better. Is this a hard and fast rule? No, but it's a good idea. You want to go really small or quite large. The bottom line is that in cold-water temperatures, trout want to expend as little energy as possible to get a meal, therefore you want to go really small or quite large with your bait, lures, or flies.

In cold weather, a great tip is to make sure you are fishing when the fish are the most active. This can be accomplished by simply paying attention to the weather and moon. These two factors of Mother Nature have an amazing affect on the activity level of trout, and the more active the trout are, the more apt they are to bite your offering. In cold weather, make sure you're fishing when the fish are the most active by learning how the weather and moon affect the behavior of fish.

In cold weather, one of the worst things that can happen is your hands becoming so cold they feel as if they might fall off. This is not a good thing, and obviously something that I've experienced more than once. My personal favorite trout fishing technique requires my fingers to be unfettered and available to "feel" my line. This can be a HUGE problem in cold weather. That's why I wear a pair of quality fingerless gloves. This way my fingers can be unfettered, but my hands are still warm. These types of gloves are a "must have" for any angler when trout fishing in cold weather.

The bottom line is that trout fishing when the mercury really drops can become quite difficult, but these simple yet effective tips will help you be more comfortable and successful. Now, layer up, put on your beanie, and get out there and fish for some trout. Just because it's cold outside, it doesn't mean that we should stop trout fishing.

A Change in the Weather

2011-11-24T12:55:00.000-07:00

Last week I was driving through 2 inches of snow and I was convinced that the winter was upon us and it was time to begin getting mentally prepared for ice fishing and then I stepped outside at five o'clock yesterday morning. It was forty five degrees and the skies were clear. The small bit of snow we received a few days ago was gone, but I didn't expect this kind of temperature change seeing as how it was in the single digits last week. Oh well, it is what it is, as they say and my mind immrediately turned to trout fishing.

"Is it possible that the trout will be biting?" I thought to myself and I immediately checked to see when the moon was rising and setting for the day. The moon was setting at 3:40 PM in my area on the 23rd of November, so I decided to take a flyer and do a little trout fishing.

I got to the river at around three o'clock and began fishing. I was drift fishing of course, hoping that the trout might be hungry with the little "break" in the weather. Well, two hours and three rainbow trout later, I came to the conclusion that they were. None of the trout were enormous, the biggest was 12 inches, but it was nonetheless a great afternoon on the water. This goes to show you how fishing in the heat of the day, when the moon is rising or setting, during the cold weather months can be the key to catching a few trout.

Cold Weather Trout Fishing Tips

2011-11-22T05:29:00.000-07:00

As the new year approaches and the weather continues to get colder, I figured it was time to write an article on cold weather trout fishing tips. I'm not necessarily referring to ice fishing, yet some of these tips can be used for ice fishermen as well. These tips are for those of us who still enjoy getting out on our favorite river or stream to do a little trout fishing, even when the weather is quite cold.

The first thing to keep in mind (if you didn't already know), is that cold weather trout fishing offers some unique challenges, not the least of which is the fact that the cold weather can be quite uncomfortable. Besides being uncomfortable, cold weather trout fishing means the fishing will normally be much tougher. When the temperature drops, so does the water temperature, and as the water temperature drops, so does the trout's body temperature. As trout become colder and colder, their metabolism slows down, which means they feed less.
Obviously when trout are feeding less, they are more difficult to catch. In colder weather and water temperatures, a great tip is to use bait that's as small as you can. If you ice fish, you know all about using tiny baits, well the same goes for trout fishing in river and stream situations. Use hooks, baits, and lures that are as small as you can get away with in cold weather trout fishing situations. This tip will help you get more bites.

The same principle goes for any live bait that you might be using. Cold weather is a great time of year to use maggots and meal worms as trout bait, and if you like to use night crawlers, simply use smaller pieces. For example, a whole night crawler can be pinched into thirds or even quarters in cold weather trout fishing situations.

When the weather and water temperature are cold, fishing when the trout are the most active is very important. There are certain times of the day and month when fish are more active than others , and knowing this information is highly useful when the weather is cold and the trout aren't as active anyway. These times of the day and month correlate with the weather and phases of the moon. Planning your fishing trips around the weather and moon is a great idea, especially in cold weather.

The final tip for cold weather trout fishing is the fact that we need to keep our hands as warm as possible while fishing. Not only do our hands need to be warm, but if you're like me you still need the use of you fingers to fish properly. This is where a quality and comfortable pair of fingerless gloves come into play. I can tell you from experience that being on the river and feeling like your hand is going to fall off, because that hand got wet releasing a freezing cold trout, is no fun at all I promise you.

River Trout Fishing: 3 Tips to Help You Catch More Trout When River Fishing

2011-11-18T04:36:00.000-07:00

I have been fishing for trout in this type of river for more than two decades and in that time have been taught and learned many tips and techniques that have enabled me to experience a ton of success while river trout fishing. In this article I will list 3 of these tips which will undoubtedly help you catch more trout when river trout fishing in water like the type previously mentioned.

So, what do you say we get down to business?

Focus on the New Moon - Many trout fishermen overlook this simple fact, but the fishing tends to be much more productive in the three to four days that surround the phase of the moon called the "new moon". It sounds strange, but is nonetheless true that being on the water during any "new moon" phase means that the trout that you are attempting to catch will be much more active, and thus more apt to bite whatever it is that you are offering them. The bottom line is that anytime that your are fishing for trout in a river, try to focus your efforts on the "new moon".

Worms are an Excellent Bait Choice - Worms, either live or synthetic, are an excellent bait choice to employ any time that you are fishing for trout in a river situation. The most popular technique to employ when you are river trout fishing is known as "drift fishing". Drift fishing with a live or synthetic fishing worm in a river fishing scenario can be as effective a trout fishing technique as there is. Never forget that worms are an excellent bait choice to use when you are trout fishing in rivers.

Keep Foreign Odors in Check - When I refer to the term "foreign odors" I'm referring specifically to your hands. You always want to make sure that your hands are free of any unnatural odors, as these odors will transfer to your bait or lure and be detected by wary trout. If foreign or unnatural odors are detected on your bait or lure, the trout are much less apt to bite whatever it is that you are using as bait. Keep foreign odors on your hands in check and you will experience more success when river trout fishing, there no doubt about it.

If you enjoy catching trout in rivers the aforementioned tips will serve you well for many years. Add one or all of them to your trout fishing arsenal sooner, rather than later.

The Best Bait To Use For Rainbow Trout

2011-11-11T05:46:00.000-07:00

When it comes to fishing for trout one trout species stands out above all others, at least as far a popularity is concerned, and that species of trout is the rainbow trout. This trout, which boasts that familiar large red stripe running along the length of it's body, is the most popular species of trout for one simple reason. It is the most readily available species that is found in most areas. These beautiful fish are known as being very opportunistic feeders that can be caught on a variety of baits and/or lures, but a question that is often asked is, "what is the best bait to use for rainbow trout?"

In this article I will draw upon my twenty plus years of experience fishing for rainbow trout to try to answer the question posed in the title of this article. I'm going to do this by breaking the question into the three main types of bait that can be used when fishing for rainbow trout; Artificial, live, and synthetic baits. Then, depending on your personal favorite "style of fishing", you can determine which of the bait choices is the best bait to use for rainbow trout.

Artificial Baits - There are many types of artificial baits that are effective when fishing for "rainbows" including: small in-line spinners, small spoons or crank baits, trout jigs (either twister tail or marabou) and the very popular and well known artificial fly. "Fly fishing" is the most effective way to fish with artificial flies and is a technique that many anglers use when fishing for our friends called "rainbows". The bottom line is that no matter where you may be fishing for "rainbows", artificial baits could easily be considered the best type of bait to use.
Live Baits - Live baits are an excellent bait choice when it comes to fishing for rainbow trout, but can be difficult to use in some cases. Crayfish for example are an excellent bait to use when fishing for large rainbow trout, but can be difficult to find and carry on the water with you while you are fishing, so they are rarely used. Live worms on the other hand are very easy to find and are easily carried on the water with you while you are fishing with the help of a bait bag, making live worms a great bait to use when fishing for rainbow trout. Other effective live bait choices include crickets, minnows, grass hoppers, grubs, and even small frogs (if you can find them?)
Synthetic Baits - Synthetic baits consist of baits that have been manufactured by humans with trout attracting scents in them for the purpose of attracting and catching trout. Basically synthetic baits look and smell so god to the trout that you are attempting to catch that the trout eats them and viola you have a trout hooked. While there is no doubt that synthetic baits are an effective bait choice when it comes to fishing for rainbow trout, it is most effective on trout that have been recently "stocked" or otherwise placed into a waterway.

So, after listing the best three types if bait to use when fishing for these beautiful fish, is there one that stands out above all the others? To me, the best bait that can be used when fishing for rainbow trout is a live worm. To one of my fishing buddies, the best bait that can be used is a stone fly imitation. To someone else, it's probably something else, so at the end of the day the best bait to use for rainbow trout is the one that you have found to be the best for yourself through trial and error. The one best bait simply doesn't exist.

The Cold Is Upon Us

2011-11-06T08:37:00.000-07:00

As I made my morning run I couldn't help but notice how cold it was. I certainly should have put on some chap stick that's for sure. When My run was completed I checked the temperature and it was in the low twenties.

This made me think of the trout fishing and how slow it has become in the past few days. When the temperatures begin dropping to these levels for the first time in many months, the trout can get "lock jaw" for a little while. Seeing as how trout are cold blooded creatures, when colder temperatures initially happen each year it can really slow down their metabolism, causing them to feed much less often.

One good thing about these colder temperatures is the fact that often times a week or two of "Indian summer" happens sometime in November and the trout feed very heavily during these warmer period. Kind of one last "horrah" for the year as they stock up on calories before the colder temperatures set in for the winter.

Here's to hoping that we get an Indian Summer some time in the next four weeks, so we as anglers can have one last "horrah" as well?

Rainbow Trout Fishing

2011-11-03T06:59:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite activities is fishing for Rainbow Trout. The Rainbow Trout is a very popular fish, and anglers of all kinds attempt to catch them all year long. Whether it's standing in a flowing river, on the banks of a lake, in a boat or canoe, or on the ice, fishing for Rainbow trout is an incredibly popular activity. The first thing I want to discus is the fish itself, followed by a couple of techniques used to catch them.

Rainbow trout thrive in clear, cool streams and rivers but have been known to survive in warm silt bottom streams as well. Rainbow Trout prefer a temperature range of 55 to 60 degrees, but thrive in various temperature ranges. In early spring, as the water temperature begins to rise, the adult rainbows migrate to shallow riffles or small, clear streams to spawn. Spawning can continue as late in the year as June. During the first two or three years of life, rainbow trout will feed mainly on crustaceans and aquatic insects. At approximately 3 years of age, they will move into larger water and change their diet to fish, large insects, and even small rodents when they can find them.

The best time of year to catch a Rainbow is the spring and fall, before and after spawning. They become fish with an incredible appetite and can be caught on an assortment of spinners, flies, and baits. Many trout anglers have success with small colorful spinners, spoons, jigs, and of course live bait.

There are many different baits that anglers use to attempt to entice these fish, and the two most popular have to be live bait and small lures. Let's begin with live bait. Live bait can include such things as minnows, small frogs, grasshoppers, leeches, maggots, and my personal favorite worms. The important thing to remember when trying to catch a rainbow trout with live bait is that you want the bait to appear as natural as possible. For example, when many anglers fish with worms, they simply thread the worm onto a hook and think its okay. Does this look the least bit natural? No it doesn't. When using worms, the angler should employ gang hooks so the worm looks completely natural. This theory includes all manner of live bait. When fishing for Rainbow Trout (especially trophies) the live bait needs to be presented as naturally as possible.

Now for lures. There are many different types of lures available to trout anglers. Some of the more popular types would include: Minnow plugs, rooster tails, spinners, spoons, and jigs. For rainbow trout you're goings to want to stick with smaller sizes. Most of the lures that you will use will be ¼ ounce or less. I've caught some very large fish on small lures, so don't be afraid to use these small sizes. Just think about the type of forage that the tout normally eat. That's the size you want to go with. The biggest tip I have as far as lures go is to always make sure that you have back ups of your favorites. The last thing that you want to have happen is to find the lure that's working, only to get snagged and lose it, and then realize that you don't have a back up. I know from experience that this situation is no fun at all.

River Trout Fishing

2011-10-30T05:55:00.000-06:00

Trout can be caught in two main types of water; rivers and lakes and in my humble opinion there is no better place to catch trout than in rivers. Now rivers come in many shapes and sizes, so what size river am I referring to when I refer to the subject in the title of this article, river trout fishing? It's really quite simple; a river that is the size that can be waded in and fished effectively, what many people would refer to as a "small river".

I have been fishing for trout in this type of river for more than two decades and in that time have been taught and learned many tips and techniques that have enabled me to experience a ton of success while river trout fishing. In this article I will list 3 of these tips which will undoubtedly help you catch more trout when river trout fishing in water like the type previously mentioned.
So, what do you say we get down to business?

Focus on the New Moon - Many trout fishermen overlook this simple fact, but the fishing tends to be much more productive in the three to four days that surround the phase of the moon called the "new moon". It sounds strange, but is nonetheless true that being on the water during any "new moon" phase means that the trout that you are attempting to catch will be much more active, and thus more apt to bite whatever it is that you are offering them. The bottom line is that anytime that your are fishing for trout in a river, try to focus your efforts on the "new moon".
Worms are an Excellent Bait Choice - Worms, either live or synthetic, are an excellent bait choice to employ any time that you are fishing for trout in a river situation. The most popular technique to employ when you are river trout fishing is known as "drift fishing". Drift fishing with a live or synthetic fishing worm in a river fishing scenario can be as effective a trout fishing technique as there is. Never forget that worms are an excellent bait choice to use when you are trout fishing in rivers.
Keep Foreign Odors in Check - When I refer to the term "foreign odors" I'm referring specifically to your hands. You always want to make sure that your hands are free of any unnatural odors, as these odors will transfer to your bait or lure and be detected by wary trout. If foreign or unnatural odors are detected on your bait or lure, the trout are much less apt to bite whatever it is that you are using as bait. Keep foreign odors on your hands in check and you will experience more success when river trout fishing, there no doubt about it.

If you enjoy catching trout in rivers the aforementioned tips will serve you well for many years. Add one or all of them to your trout fishing arsenal sooner, rather than later.

The Inigma That Is Trout Fishing In The Fall

2011-10-26T18:18:00.000-06:00

It was most certainly a day for Wristies, with temperatures in the mid-forty's, and it seemed as if it was a great day to fish for trout. The moon was "in my favor" so to speak seeing as how this was the actual day of the new moon, so everything looked to be coming together for a great day on the river. As I crossed the river in waste deep water (in this area you have to be on the other side to access the "good holes") I noticed a cold wind blowing directly down the river.

As I reached the first hole it became apparent that the wind was going to be a problem. You see, the wind is one of the biggest enemies to fishing with ultra light gear, as it makes it all but impossible to "feel" your bait or lure as it drifts through the river. I continued fishing however, taking advantage of the lulls in the wind that seemed to happen every ten minutes or so, and spent the afternoon fishing.

To make a long, boring story short, three hours and one 10 inch rainbow trout later I decided to call it a day and headed back across the river. As I stepped out of the water, I took a deep breath, looked around me and said a silent prayer to the trout Gods. Even through it wasn't what most anglers would call a successful day on the water, to me it was as good as it gets. Being out in Nature, attempting to catch trout, is all I need to have a successful day. And besides, it's definitely better than pushing papers around for an entire afternoon.

Rainbow Trout Love Colder Temperatures

2011-10-24T05:11:00.001-06:00

On my early morning runs I had been noticing that it was getting much colder and on this particular day on the river I noticed that the water temperature was noticeably colder than it had been. I suppose this would make sense seeing as how temperatures have been dropping into they thirties at night, and as I hooked my first rainbow of the day and it jumped and tail walked during the fight, it was apparent that the trout were noticing the cooler temperatures as well.

This was one of those interesting afternoons fishing for trout during the fall. I was fishing 3 days before the new moon, which is a day or two early to experience the full new moon phenomenon, so I only caught 3 trout. Two rainbow trout and one bull trout, not a bad day by anyone's estimation. The largest of the rainbows was only fifteen inches long, but about five inches wide so it gave me quite a "tussle". This was one of those rainbow trout that I like to call a "football" because of their similarity in shape to that piece of sporting equipment.

The bottom line with all of this is that when rainbow trout begin to experience colder water temperatures they get much more active and begin to fight much harder. And "jumping" out of the water during the fight only occurs when rainbow trout are highly active. This is all taking place right now during the fall of the year. Have I mentioned that I like fall trout fishing?

This is Why I LOVE Trout Fishing in the Fall

2011-10-22T14:31:00.000-06:00

It was a cloudy Saturday afternoon in mid October with temperatures in the fifties and I was going to have to hike an hour or so down river of where I parked the car to find the stretch of river that I was looking for. I had fished this stretch of river many times before, but this was the first time I have been able to access it since the run off (yep, we had A LOT of snow in the mountains last winter).

I began my day of fishing as I normally do, by crouching down and rubbing a handful of river gravel in my hands to "wash off" any human or otherwise unnatural scent that might be present. I stood up and baited my gang hooks with half of a very lively night crawler, checked my split shots (3 seemed like a good number for the water depth and current flow) and casted my line directly parallel to myself and closed the bail of my reel.

This was going to be a nice drift, I could just feel it. As my worm drifted with the current, 'ticking' the bottom every few feet, I realized that my premonition was correct. It was a good drift. Half of the battle when trout fishing in a river is the quality of the "drift" you are getting, so I knew I was in good shape. The drift ended without any bites and the process was repeated. On the third "drift" I felt the familiar pull of a nice trout and set the hook. Fish on!

After a 15 minute fight I was admiring a beautiful eighteen inch rainbow trout. The colors were as beautiful as any I have ever seen and as the healthy fish was released from my hands, I said a silent prayer to the trout Gods and continued my afternoon of fishing. By dinner time I had caught and released 6 rainbow trout and 1 cutthroat trout ranging in size from sixteen to twenty inches. There is no doubt that the fall of the year offers some of the best trout fishing that can be found all year long and this day on the river was most certainly proof of that fact.

Fall Drift Fishing: The Ultimate Fishing Technique

2011-10-19T05:37:00.000-06:00

There is absolutely no better time of the year for drift fishing than the months of October and November for many species of freshwater fish such as small mouth bass, many species of trout, and even walleye. In small to medium sized rivers where "drift fishing" is the most effective, the fall offers some of the best fishing that can be experienced all year long. In this article I will draw upon my twenty five years of experience with fall drift fishing to outline why "drift fishing" is the ultimate technique to use when fishing for any of the aforementioned species of fish.

Let's begin with the aspect that many anglers tend to overlook which is the number of fishermen that you see on the river during the fall months. As a general rule you see many less fishermen on the river during the fall fishing season. This means that the fish experience much less fishing pressure at this time of the year than they do during the spring and summer seasons, which is a good thing for fisherman. The bottom line is that the less fishing pressure that the fish that you are attempting to catch receive, the more likely those fish are to bite whatever it is that you are offering them.
Next you have your surroundings. While "drift fishing" at any time of the year gives you the ability to be ensconced in nature while you are doing something that you enjoy (which this is a good thing), in most area's the months of October and November offer some of the best scenery that nature has to offer. Although the scenery has no impact on your ability to catch fish it is nonetheless a feature of fall drift fishing and does wonders for a fisherman's mental attitude in many cases.

Now, how about the various techniques that can be used when drift fishing and the technique that is the fishing technique to use when drift fishing during the fall of the year. Obviously, many baits, lures, and/or flies can be used successfully when drift fishing in the fall but the ultimate fishing technique to use has to be drift fishing with a live worm. I have been using this very technique with great success for more than twenty years and it has outperformed the other techniques by a rate of two to one.

The key to using this drifting technique is to rig your worm in a natural and realistic manner and to allow that worm to flow naturally with the current of the river that you are fishing. Weight is added and/or removed from you line by using split shot sinkers, with the ultimate goal being to add the perfect amount of weight so that your worm bounces or "ticks" along the bottom as it drifts with the current.

The bottom line is that fall drift fishing is incredibly productive and "drifting" a live worm is the ultimate fishing technique to use when you are on the water during the months of October and/or November.

It's All About Angles

2011-10-15T15:15:00.000-06:00

It was a chilly early afternoon, somewhere in the fifty degree range, the cloud cover was low, and it seemed as if it might rain at any moment. Not what you might call "ideal" fishing conditions, but when it comes to trout fishing in the fall, the weather was actually quite normal. The river was certainly not crowded, in fact I had it to myself, and as I drift fished, adding split shot sinkers for weight, I glanced over to my right and noticed a large boulder along the bank. Since I had yet to receive any bites, I decided to step up and stand on top of the boulder.

I could suddenly see the hole that I was fishing much better and was getting a much better "drift" because of the angle I was now fishing from. It was much easier to keep my line taught so that I could "feel" my worm. I almost immediately felt bites from and caught 3 small rainbows in the 8-12 inch range. I was feeling good, when on my next cast I felt the familiar fast tug from a heavy fish. I promptly missed it and crouched down holding my head with my hands. I HATE when I miss a nice fish!

I then stepped back on the boulder to change the angle that I was fishing from again, and within two casts felt the heavy pull again. This time I set the hook and the fight was on. I jumped off of the boulder and worked the trout downstream to try to get him out of the heavy current. Within a few minutes I had the 16 inch rainbow landed, revived, and released. A good catch and all because I changed the angle from which I was fishing from.

Late Season Trout : 3 Tips to Help Anyone Catch More Trout This Fall

2011-10-12T05:53:00.002-06:00

As the weather begins to cool off and the "fall fishing season" unofficially begins many avid anglers begin to turn their attention to late season trout. Trout fishing during the months of October and November can be as productive as trout fishing gets and in this article I will outline 3 tips to help anyone catch more trout this fall. I have been fishing for late season trout for more than two decades and all of the tips outlined below have helped (and continue to help) me experience a ton of success when fishing for trout late in the fishing season.

Many times the months of October and November are overlooked by anglers as they turn their collective attention to other things and this is a big mistake. As I mentioned earlier, fishing for late season trout, before the weather becomes too cold to fish comfortably, can be as productive as trout fishing gets. As a matter of fact I have caught virtually all of my trophy sized trout when fishing during the months of September, October, and November, which is probably why I am such a big advocate of targeting trout late in the season.

Be Prepared - If you want to catch more trout during the months of October and November you have to be prepared for changing weather. The weather can be unsettled to say the least in many areas late in the trout season and as you may of may not be aware, nothing can ruin a perfectly good time of the water like becoming cold. For this reason you should always be prepared by having a pair of fishing gloves and a hat with you when you head out in search of trout late in the season.
Don't Be Afraid To Drift Fish - Drift fishing is an excellent technique to use when trout fishing late in the season. Late season trout find a live worm, minnow, or even artificial fly that is drifting naturally with the current of a river or stream difficult to resist. In flowing water situations, such as a small river or stream, trout seem to "stock up" on food before they get overtaken by the freezing water temperatures that inevitably come during the winter months, causing their metabolisms to slow which makes them much less apt to feed. For this reason, drift fishing for late season trout is normally an extremely effective way to go.
Try To Concentrate On The New Moon - Many trout fisherman overlook this simple fact, but the fishing will normally be much more productive in the three to four days that surround a New Moon. So, check your lunar table (which lets your know what phase the moon is in for a given date) and try your best to plan your late season trout fishing trips accordingly.

No matter how you slice it, the 3 tips that were just outlined will not only help you catch more trout this fall, but they will probably help you catch more trout as you move into other fishing seasons as well. They have all been helping me catch more trout for many years and I am sure they will do the same for you.

Trout Tips - Tips For Catching More Trout

2011-10-06T05:28:00.000-06:00

In this article I'm going to provide you with some time tested tips for catching more trout. These tips have been proven through more than 50 years of combined trout fishing experience and have always helped me catch trout. As far as trout tips are concerned, these are as effective as you will find anywhere. Use one or all of them sooner, rather than later and you will be a much more successful trout angler.

Steven Wright once said of fishing: "There's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking like an idiot". There is no doubt that this quote is as true as anything I've ever heard and the trout tips in this article will help you avoid the 'looking like an idiot' part of that quote. In any case, shall we get down to business?

Use Sharp Hooks - A great trout tip is to make sure that you always use hooks that are as sharp as possible. This means that after catching a few trout, your hooks should be changed or sharpened. This can be accomplished by carrying a small hook sharpener with you or carrying plenty of pre-tied gang hooks in your fishing vest. If you make sure your hooks are sharp you will "miss" fewer trout.
Clean Your Hands - This might sound strange, but it's a very true and effective trout tip. As a matter of fact this tip is true when it comes to most any species of fish. You see, any scents that are on your hands will transfer to your bait or lure and be detected by the fish (in this case trout). So how do you make sure that your hands are free from any unnatural scents? You can either clean your hands with odor neutralizing soap or you can simply grab a handful of dirt and rub it into your hands before baiting up. The bottom line is to always make sure that your hands are clean (free of unnatural scents).
Hone Your Skills - There is no more important trout tip than to hone your skills, which means that you need to spend as much time on the water as possible. The more time you can spend practicing your craft, the better. You also want to add to your repertoire by reading and studying new ideas and tactics. This is exactly what you are doing by reading this article. Honing your fishing skills is incredibly effective as far as trout tips are concerned.
Use Live Bait - When it comes to catching more trout, live bait should be employed. Live bait such as worms, minnows, crayfish, and meal worms are very effective trout baits. Anytime live bait is being employed, gang hooks should also be employed. This is especially true with live worms. Gang hooks are just a pair of small hooks tied in tandem, which allow live bait to be presented in a totally natural manner.

These trout tips will help any angler be more successful. As I said earlier, use one or all of them sooner, rather than later. You'll be glad you did.

Fall Trout Fishing is Here!

2011-10-03T05:26:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I headed out to my local trout river (the Swan River) to do a little trout fishing and guess what I found? I had the river all to myself, the weather was absolutely beautiful, and the trout were biting pretty darn well. 4 trout, 2 of which were over twelve inches, in about and hour of fishing. This is a good day on the river in almost any fisherman's book. The bottom line is that fall trout fishing is definitely here and I'm going to do my best to take full advantage of it right up until the snow starts flying and I suggest that anyone reading this do the same.

Fall River Fishing Tips: 2 Amazingly Effective Fishing Techniques to Try This Fall

2011-09-30T05:41:00.000-06:00

When it comes to river fishing, there is no more productive time of the year than the fall. The months of September, October, and November offer some of the most productive fishing of the year, and in this article I will outline a pair of amazingly effective techniques for you to try in your favorite river this fall.

Now, when I refer to the term river fishing, what is the style of fishing that I would be referring to exactly? The style that I am referring to is known as "wade fishing" or wading in a river while you are attempting to catch our underwater friends. Wading in the river that you are fishing is always what I have considered river fishing, and this is the style of fishing that I am referring to in this article. Obviously rivers can also be fished from a boat or the shore, but the both of the techniques below relate specifically to wading in the river that you are attempting to catch fish in.

So, what are the 2 tips that are so effective when wading in a river during the fall of the year? Read on, and you will find out.

Drifting Worms - There is no doubt that drifting worms is an amazingly effective technique to use in the fall of the year and it is a technique that I have been using with great success for more that two decades. "Drifting worms" involves allowing a live worm to drift naturally with the current of the river in an attempt to catch fish. The technique is often called "drift fishing", and is as effective a technique as there is in the fall of the year when fish are "stocking up" on food before the onslaught of freezing water temperatures.

Drifting Flies - Drifting an artificial fly through the current of the river that you are fishing is also an extremely effective fall fishing technique to use when fishing in the fall. Traditional fly fishermen know this fact very well, but spin fisherman probably don't because they think that they can't fish with artificial flies. This is actually not true, and with the help of a fly fishing bubble spin fishermen can actually drift fish with artificial flies quite effectively. Although specific fly patterns will vary from area to area, various nymphs and/or streamers are popular fly choices when fishing during September, October, and November.

The bottom line is that if you are a river fisherman and enjoy wading in the water, the aforementioned techniques should be added to you repertoire sooner rather than later. They have both been working for me on species of fish such as rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, and even walleye for many years and I am confident that they will do the same for you.

A single split shot can make all the difference

2011-09-26T06:08:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I was fishing for trout on our local river and remembered something that I figured needed to be passed along. I was fishing a stretch of river, standing in thigh deep water and casting into a deeper area that contained large underwater boulders. I was "drift fishing" of course, and had 2 small split shot pinched onto my line above my swivel for weight. I was receiving no bites and rarely felt the bottom, except at the end of the drift.

I then added one more split shot to my line and continued drift fishing fishing the same area. Almost immediately I hooked and landed a pair of 12 inch rainbows, followed by hooking a large fish which I lost due to impatience. I wanted to mention this because when you are drift fishing for trout it's important to remember that something as simple as a single split shot can make all the difference.

Fall Trout Fishing: Being Prepared For the Incredibly Productive Fall Fishing Season

2011-09-25T05:43:00.000-06:00

There is no better time of the year for trout fishing in rivers and streams than the fall fishing season. In the fall of the year the trout seem to be "stocking up" on food before the freezing winter temperatures set in and their metabolism begins to slow to the point that they hardly feed. Couple this with the fact that the rivers and streams are much less crowded and the trout are feeling much less pressure and you've got a recipe for some really good fishing.

Being prepared for the incredibly effective fall season is of the utmost importance however and this article will help you be more prepared as you head out onto the water. The first thing to consider in regards to the fall trout season is the condition of your fishing line. After a spring and summer spent fishing for trout, many times your fishing line is in less than optimum condition. For this reason, before the fall trout fishing season begins for you it's a very good idea to replace your fishing line. By replacing your used fishing line with "fresh" fishing line you will ensure that your fishing line performs as it should when you are fishing for (and catching) those hungry fall trout.

The next way to be prepared for fall trout fishing is to take an hour or so and go through your fishing vest. This way you can re-stock the things that are needed and remove things that won't be needed when you head out on a fall fishing excursion. Spending an hour (or less) going through your fishing vest before you head out onto the water in the fall can save you a ton of valuable fishing time on the water.

The final thing that you must be prepared for when it comes to "wetting a line" in the fall is the weather. Weather conditions can be cool to downright cold in the fall of the year, so you always want to make sure that you have a beanie for your head and a light pair of fishing gloves for you hands at least in your fishing vest just in case they are needed. Both of these simple pieces of protection can be the difference between staying on the water and heading home when it comes to fall trout fishing, so having them with you on the water is very important when fishing in the fall.

In the last twenty or so years that I have spent fishing for trout that the fall of the year is unmatched for having incredibly productive days on the river fishing for the beautiful fish that are known as trout. If you've never spent much time fishing for trout during the fall, I would suggest you give it a shot sooner, rather than later.

The Fundamentals of Trout Fishing: Paying Attention to the Little Things

2011-09-22T05:11:00.000-06:00

As a person who has been fishing for freshwater trout, mainly "rainbows" and "browns," for more than twenty years, I have learned that one thing contributes to trout fishing success more than any other, and that thing is practicing the fundamentals. There is simply no substitute for practice when it comes to fishing and this fact is especially true when it comes to the act of "trout fishing."

In this article I will explore why every serious trout fisherman needs to pay attention to the "little things" when it comes to fishing for the beautiful fish known as "trout". So, what are the little things? Well, the "little things" will vary from fishing method to fishing method, but there are some fundamentals that hold true no matter what method of trout fishing you consider to be your "favorite". In other words, whether you are a fly fisherman, drift fisherman who fisherman who uses live bait, or a someone who chooses to fish from the bank of a lake the following fundamentals of trout fishing are more or less universal and need to be paid attention to.

The Weight of Your Leader - One of the "little things" that every serious trout fisherman needs to pay attention to is the weight of his or her leader. Both rainbow and brown trout are found in cold, clear water in many cases and you want your leader to stand out as little as possible to the trout that you are attempting to catch. This means using very light line or leader material for all of your trout fishing leaders. My personal rule of thumb is to use a leader that is the weight of the largest trout that I can imagine hooking in the area that I am fishing, and sometimes I will even use a leader that is lighter than the largest trout that I can imagine catching in the water that I am fishing.

The Time When You Are Fishing - One of the most important aspects of a successful day fishing for trout is when you are on the water. When it comes to the fundamentals of trout fishing the time when you are fishing is very often overlooked and this is a big mistake. You want to be on the water fishing when the trout are the most active and thus most likely to be feeding.

Organization of Your Gear - When it comes to trout fishing fundamentals the organization of your gear is as important as anything. Why is this the case? Because the more organized your gear is the easier it is to access on the water, which saves you a ton of valuable fishing time. As a fisherman your goal is to spend as much time as possible with your line in the water where the fish are, rather than out of the water while you search for a particular piece of fishing gear. Many trout fisherman (including myself) choose to use a fishing vest to carry all of their trout fishing gear because it is a great way to not only organize it, but also access it easily.

Pay attention to the "little things" such as the ones listed above and you will be a much more successful trout fisherman. Couple this with practicing the fundamentals of the style of trout fishing that you choose to engage in and catching more trout won't be a problem at all.

Fall Trout Fishing Secrets: Secrets That Will Help You Catch More Trout This Fall

2011-09-18T06:03:00.000-06:00

As anyone who spends time fishing for trout will undoubtedly tell you, there is no better time of the year to head out to your local trout river and fish for trout than the fall of the year. The fall is not only the most productive time of the year to fish for trout, it also offers much less crowded waterways coupled with some of the best scenery that you will experience at any time of the year. I have been enjoying the productivity that the fall offers in regards to trout fishing for more than two decades and in that time have learned some tips and tricks that have helped me catch many trophy sized trout in that time.

In this article I will outline some fall trout fishing secrets that will help you catch more trout this fall. Add these "secrets" to your trout fishing arsenal sooner rather than later and you to can begin catching more trout that approach or exceed the twenty inch mark (the size trout that I have always considered to be a trophy).

Concentrate on Warmth - The warmer times of the day, afternoon to late afternoon, are usually more productive times of the day that the much cooler mornings. In the fall the weather begins to cool off, thus dropping the water temperatures in the rivers. On crisp fall days as the air temperatures rise, trout tend to become much more active and thus susceptible to being caught. The first secret to fall trout fishing is to concentrate your fishing efforts during the warmer parts of the day.

Live Worms Are Very Effective - I realize that this secret will make fly fishermen cringe, but the truth is that live worms are a very effective bait to use during the fall trout fishing season. Rig a live worm (or a half of a live night crawler) in an outstretched and natural manner and "drift fish" that worm through the current of your favorite trout river and you have a recipe for a very productive day on the water.

The Trout Aren't Feeling "Pressure" - The final secret of fall trout fishing is that the rivers are much less crowded than they are at other times of the year, and thus the trout are much less "pressured" by anglers. This means that the fishing will be better, simply because most people turn their attention to other activities during the fall and put fishing on the "back burner". When the trout aren't feeling as much fishing pressure they tend to be easier to catch, which is another of the trout fishing secrets that many anglers overlook when it come to fishing during September, October, and November.

The bottom line is that the fall of the year is unsurpassed when it comes to fishing for rainbow, brook, and cutthroat trout and the aforementioned secrets will undoubtedly help you to experience more success when fishing for trout this fall.

The Top 3 Reasons Why the Fall Is the Best Time of The Year for Trout Fishing

2011-09-12T05:45:00.000-06:00

I have been fishing for trout for more than two decades and have learned in that time that there is one time of the year that stands out above all others as the best time of the year for trout fishing and that time of year is the fall. As the nights begin to get cooler and cooler as the fall inches closer and closer, now is the time to start getting prepared for a little fall trout fishing.

In this article I will draw upon my two decades of experience to list the top 3 reasons why the fall is the best time of the year for trout fishing so that you can get motivated, and maybe get out onto the water to "wet a line". As the fall approaches many outdoors people tend to focus on other activities and neglect fishing but this is a big mistake, especially when it comes to fishing for trout. The fall of the year is actually the best time of the year for trout fishing and the following 3 reasons are why.

The Weather is Cooler - During the summer, the weather can get downright hot in many areas making it uncomfortable to the fisherman and to the fish that they are attempting to catch. Trout are cold water fish and prefer water temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees and when water temperatures exceed 65 degrees it becomes difficult for trout to function and possibly to survive. So in the fall as the weather gets cooler so do the water temperatures and this fact alone makes it much more conducive to trout fishing.

The Trout Are Hungry - As the trout begin to "feel" the weather changes that take place in the fall of the year they begin to "stock up" on food before the onslaught of winter. During the winter, water temperatures cool to such a degree that the trout's' metabolism slows and they feed much less, so during fall trout fishing the trout are quite hungry, acting as if they are "stocking up" on food before winter. In other words, during the fall trout seem to be much more active and thus feeding much more often.

Rivers & Lakes Are Much Less Crowded - As I eluded to earlier, during the fall many trout fishermen tend to place their focus onto different activities and this makes the rivers and lakes much less crowded than they are during the spring and summer trout fishing seasons. This not only makes it much more comfortable for you the angler, it means that the fishing is that much more productive as well. Less fishing pressure means that the trout that you are attempting to catch will be that much less wary, which means that they are much more apt to be "fooled" by anglers.

The bottom line is that fishing for trout during the fall can be as good as trout fishing gets and the 3 aforementioned reasons are the top 3 reasons why. I suggest that you get out onto your favorite river or lake sooner, rather than later to take advantage of the fall trout fishing phenomenon.

Catching Trout In The Fall

2011-09-08T07:08:00.000-06:00

Fall is the time of the year that many people turn their attention to chasing animals around in the woods and this is one of the main reasons that I love catching trout in the fall. In the fall of the year, rivers and streams tend to become much less crowded as people turn their attention to other things, which means there is more room for people like me who just like to catch trout. In the fall, not only are the rivers and streams much less crowded, it's also a great time of the year for catching trout. My theory is simple: it seems to me that here in the west, trout tend to "stock up" on food before the cold weather and shorter days make them much less active. I have caught more trophy size trout in the west, during the fall of the year, than at any other time.

I have known for a very long time that live crayfish are an excellent trophy trout bait, but in the fall of the year live night crawlers seem to be extremely effective as well. As the leaves begin to change, and the weather temperatures start to drop, there are few things I enjoy more than grabbing my ultra light rod and reel, filling my bait bag with live worms, and heading out for 3-4 hours on my favorite river. My best trout fishing days always occur in the fall, and I look forward to fall trout fishing like a drunk looks forward to that first beer after work.

The most effective method that I've found for catching trout in the fall is to use a set of pre-tied gang hooks baited with a live night crawler. If a rig such as this is allowed to flow naturally with the current of a river or stream, the results are amazing. As I said, this method has allowed me to catch many, many trout over twenty inches in the fall of the year, when most peoples attention is turned to other things.

This is exactly how to set up such a rig: begin by taking the end of your line and tying on a small barrel swivel (size 10 or 12). Now tie on a set of pre-tied gang hooks (size 8 or 10). At this point, split shot sinkers should be added above the barrel swivel for weight. The size and number of split shot will vary depending on current flow and the depth of the water. The goal is to have your offering bounce along the bottom as it drifts naturally with the current. With a little practice, you'll understand exactly what I'm referring to. Finally, simply bait your gang hooks with a night crawler and your good to go. If the worms that you're using are really large either pinch them in half or use a larger set of gang hooks.

The bottom line is that I've been using the rig that I just described to catch trout in the fall for more than 15 years and I know it works. If you us it, it will work for you as well. There is no better time of the year to catch trout than the fall, so get out there and have some fun. Not only is the fall the most beautiful season, in my opinion, it's also the best season for catching trout.

The rivers are finally fishable....

2011-09-06T05:26:00.000-06:00

My daughter and I headed out to our local trout river this weekend to do a little trout fishing and the river was not only fish-able, but the trout were quire hungry as well. We caught a lot of trout and my daughter, who is 8 years old,was even able to catch 3 or 4 trout all by herself. Normally I have to hook them and then she reels them in, so seeing her use a small minnow plug and do everything herself was very cool and I saw in her mannerisms that she enjoyed it very much. I think we have the makings of a person who might enjoy fishing as much as her Dad, although one never knows?

Rainbow Trout Bait: What Do Trout Bite On?

2011-08-31T05:15:00.000-06:00

I have been fishing for and catching rainbow trout for more than twenty years and in that time have realized that although rainbow trout bite on a lot of different things there are certain types of bait that are much more effective than others and in this article I will outline a few of these baits. As I said, these fish bite or feed on a variety of things and the more that we understand about the types of food "rainbows" like to eat, the more we will understand what types of baits that we should use to catch them.

Rainbow trout are predatory fish and will eat most anything that they can grab from many types of insects to bait fish such as sculpins and minnows and most anything in between. The average size of a rainbow trout will vary from waterway to waterway, but from 9-14 inches has always seemed like an average size rainbow trout to me. Depending on the size of the water they are found in and amount of food available to them, these beautiful fish can get quite large. In fact the world record rainbow weighed over forty ponds!

So what is the best way to figure out what these trout bite on so that you can have the best odds for experiencing fishing success? Let's start with one of the most well known and popular forms of trout bait, insects. Fly fishers have known about the effectiveness of insects for a very long time and practice a form of fishing referred to as "fly fishing" as an effective way to fish with insect imitations. There is little doubt that when it comes to rainbow trout bait, insects are a wonderful choice and are something that trout definitely bite on.

If you are trying to answer the question of what do trout bite on the answer could be as simple as saying the good old worm. Live fishing worms, whether you are referring to night crawlers or their smaller cousins the red worm, are an excellent rainbow trout bait. This is especially true when you are talking about river fishing in small to medium sized rivers. A live worm that is "drift fished" with the current of a river that contains rainbow trout is an excellent "rainbow" tactic.

Finally there are bait fish. Bait fish, such as live minnows or sculpins or lures that mimic small bait fish are an excellent rainbow trout bait choice. You can use a fly that mimics a bait fish or a small "stick bait" such as a Rapala with great success on most any type of water that contains these beautiful fish. In line spinners and/or spoons are also great choices when it comes to mimicking a bait fish.

Whether you are just learning how to fish for rainbows, or you are a trout fishing veteran, the types of rainbow trout bait outlined above are a great place to start. In fact there may never be a need to dig much deeper when it comes to rainbow trout bait, because trout definitely bite on all of the aforementioned choices.

Trout Fishing Bait : The Keys To Success

2011-08-26T05:52:00.000-06:00

Anyone who enjoys trout fishing knows that one of the keys to success is their bait. In this article I'm going to discuss trout fishing bait, and some tips that can help any trout angler catch more trout. A man I've always considered to be a 'trout fishing master' taught these tips to me more than 25 years ago. This man was able to catch trophy trout out of rivers and streams that other anglers didn't believe trout of that size lived in. The bottom line is that these tips are effective, and will help any angler catch more trout.

The first thing to keep in mind is that when we refer to trout fishing bait, we're referring mainly to one of two things. Either live bait or synthetic bait. Live bait is my personal favorite, with synthetic bait coming in a distant second place. The point is that they can both be quite effective, when fished in the proper manners. When we refer to live bait we mainly mean live worms, grubs, minnows, and/or insects. Synthetic bait would include any trout bait in a jar or any sort of 'extruded' material.

When fishing with live bait it's important to keep in mind any scents that might be on your hands. You see, these scents will transfer to your bait, and if the trout detect an unnatural odor they are much less apt to bite. An unnatural scent could include leftover gasoline residue from filling up or the smell of smoke from a cigarette. The point is that any unnatural odors that might be on your hands should be removed before baiting up. A good practice is to grab a handful of grass or dirt and rub it into your hands before baiting up. This will help eliminate any unnatural odors that might be present.

The next thing to keep in mind is how your trout fishing bait is carried. You need to have an efficient and effective way in which to carry your bait while fishing. This is where a bait bag comes into play. A bait bag is simply a small pouch that hangs from your fishing vest and holds your live bait (especially live worms) while you fish. This way your bait is always literally at your fingertips waiting to be used. With a bait bag, baiting up and re-baiting takes seconds, rather than minutes!

How about when you fish? What I mean by this is, no matter what type of bait you choose to use, being on the water when the trout are the most active is extremely important. This is determined by understanding the weather and moon, and the roles these two forces of Mother Nature play in the activity level of trout. Learn about the weather & moon and you'll always be on the water when the trout are the most active.

Lastly, when trout fishing with bait (either live or synthetic) gang hooks should be employed. Gang hooks are simply a pair of small hooks tied in tandem that enable you to present live bait in a natural and effective manner, and twice as much synthetic bait. For the trout angler who uses trout fishing bait, gang hooks are a "must have" item.

Begin employing one or all of these tips sooner, rather than later and you will begin enjoying much more trout fishing success.

The Best Bait to Use For Trout in the Fall

2011-08-22T05:01:00.000-06:00

I have been fishing for the three major species of freshwater trout (rainbow, brook, and brown) for more than twenty years and in that time have found that one season stands out above all the others when it comes to catching the multi colored beauties known as trout. That season is the fall and in this article I will outline the best bait to use for trout in the fall so that you can experience more success the next time that you head out onto the water.

Why is it that I find the fall to be the best time of the year to fish for trout? The main reasons are that the fall offers cooler temperatures, less congested rivers, and the trout are amazingly active as they instinctively "feel" the winter approaching. I prefer to fish for trout in rivers and because they are the most plentiful species in many areas, rainbow trout are the species of trout that I most often catch. The fall offers excellent trout fishing no matter how you slice it and the best bait to use for trout in the fall is live fishing worms.

That's right, the most widely known and popular fishing bait on the planet, the live worm (whether you are talking about night crawlers or the smaller red worm) is the best bait to use when fishing for trout in the fall, especially when you are fishing in rivers. A live worm tumbling through the current of a river is something that trout find very difficult to resist. This fact is true during almost all seasons, but seems to be especially true when you talk about the fall of the year.

The key to using live fishing worms when fishing for trout is to present them in the most natural manner possible so that the worm looks like what the trout expect it to look like. This fact is the key to making live worms the best bait to use for trout in the fall. By presenting your worm "naturally" and allowing it to flow with the current of the river that you are fishing this popular fishing bait becomes all but impossible for trout to resist.

The presentation of the worm is where most anglers "get it wrong" when they are fishing. They use a fishing hook that is too large and attempt to "thread" their live worm onto the hook, which makes it look totally unnatural and isn't as effective as it should be. During the fall, when the trout are feeding heavily, a live fishing worm that is presented naturally is definitely the best bait that can be used. Is it the only bait that can be used? Of course not, but it is the bait that I have found to be the best over the past twenty plus years of fishing for trout in the fall.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 25 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his five year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.

Trout Species - Rainbow And Brook Trout

2011-08-16T06:58:00.000-06:00

Two of the more popular species of trout in the world are the brook and rainbow trout. The two fish are really quite different, especially when it comes to both color and size. The one thing that they both most certainly have in common is the fact that they are both trout, and popular trout at that.

Rainbow Trout - These beautiful fish have been stocked in most streams by state hatcheries, and have become the backbone of our trout fishery in the United States. Rainbows have glowing rows of black spots on the back, sides and tail. A pinkish-red band can be found on both sides of the fish, thus the name "rainbow". This fish is noted for its spectacular leaps and hard fighting when hooked. Rainbow trout thrive in clear, cool streams and rivers but have been known to survive in warm silt bottom streams as well. Rainbows are larger than Brook trout and generally dominate areas shared by the two species. Given the proper conditions a rainbow trout can grow to be over 25 pounds, although this is the exception, rather than the rule. In normal situations an average rainbow trout is 17-20 inches or about ½ to 3 pounds.

Brook Trout - Brook trout are distinguished from Rainbow trout by a lack of any black spots on their body. Brook trout have a dark green, worm-like marbling on their back and dorsal fin and bluish halos around some of the reddish spots on their sides. They are arguably the most beautiful of the four major trout species. Brook Trout have been termed the white rat of aquatic science because more experimental work has been done on this species than any other. Brook Trout live naturally under cool water conditions that are clear and pure. This means that they like clean, clear mountain streams. Brook Trout are much smaller on average than Rainbow Trout, and in most parts of North America a twelve inch brook trout would be considered a real trophy. Although is parts of Labrador, Brook Trout can grow to be over 10 pounds!

With these description, you should have a better understanding as to the difference between rainbow trout and brook trout. Fishing for them is similar in many respects, although with the normal size difference; small "brookies" may require quite small tackle in order to catch effectively. Both species feed on similar prey such as aquatic insects, small fish, flying insects, and of course good old American worms. Both of these species are very appealing to the eyes, and a brook trout in the Fall (when they spawn) is as beautiful as any fish that you have ever seen.

Fall Trout Fishing

2011-08-13T15:36:00.000-06:00

As the summer winds to an end, it's time to begin to focus our attention on fall trout fishing. For me, fall is my favorite time to fish. The rivers and streams are a lot less crowded, and in many parts of the country , trout are "stocking" up before the truly cold weather starts. It has always seemed to me that the fall is the best time to not only catch numbers of trout, but also large trout.

I know that most of my truly large trout have been caught during the fall fishing season. On rivers and streams, at least in the western United States, catching trout in the winter can be difficult because of the cold weather. This is why I like to focus my efforts on fishing in the fall, before the trout's' metabolism slows down and they become much less active.

One of my favorite techniques for fall trout fishing is to use live worms rigged on a gang hook rig. A gang hook rig is simply a set of pre-tied gang hooks attached to your line using a small barrel swivel. This is how it's done: Start by taking the end of your line and tying on a small barrel swivel. Now, tie a set of pre-tied gang hooks to the opposite end of the barrel swivel. At this point add a couple of split shot sinkers above the barrel swivel (the number and size of split shot will vary with current flow) for weight. Now rig a live worm onto your gang hooks (if the worms are really large, simply pinch them in ½).

That's the gang hook rig. Now cast that rig into the current, close your bail, and let the offering flow naturally with the current. The goal is to have the rig bounce off of the bottom as it flows naturally with the current until it's directly below you in the current (at this point the drift is over). The number of split shot will vary depending on current flow. With a little practice, telling the difference between bottom and bites will become simple, and you'll begin catching a lot of trout. The rig that I just described is deadly when fishing for trout in the fall of the year.

If you want to have an extremely effective and practical way to carry your worms while fishing in this manner, just check out The Original Bait Bag. I've personally been using some manifestation of a bait bag for more than 20 years, and can't imagine fishing with live worms without one. The amount of time it saves the average angler in remarkable. The bottom line is that the techniques revealed in this article will make any fall trout fishing excursion much more successful.

How To Catch Rainbow Trout: The Best Bait To Use When River Fishing

2011-08-08T05:22:00.000-06:00

When it comes to fishing for and catching rainbow trout there is probably no more enjoyable and productive place to do it than in the flowing waters that a river provides. Rainbows are renowned for being a hard fighting fish and when they have the current of a river to use to their advantage, the "fight" that they put up when hooked can be tremendous. If you want to know how to catch rainbow trout when river fishing there is one bait that stands out above all others and this article is about that bait.

I have been fishing for and catching rainbow trout in rivers for more than twenty years and have found that one bait outperforms all others in many situations. In my experience the best bait to use when river fishing for rainbow trout is a live fishing worm. Whether you choose to use a night crawler or the night crawlers smaller cousin the red worm, I have found that a live worm is without question the best bait to use when river fishing for rainbow trout.

Why is this the case? First of all because a "rainbow" finds a live worm tumbling with the current very difficult to resist and will readily devour a live fishing worm. Second of all, live worms are very hardy as far as live bait goes, and as long as they are kept in a dark and cool environment they can easily withstand a day of fishing. And thirdly, live fishing worms are readily available, and can be found within close proximity to anywhere that you intend on fishing. All of these factors make live worms the best bait to use when river fishing for the beautiful fish known as the rainbow trout.

So, what is the best way to catch rainbow trout when river fishing? The answer to this question begins and ends with the term drift fishing.Drift fishing is the best technique to use when using live worms to attempt to catch rainbow trout. The technique involves rigging your worm in a natural manner and allowing it to "drift" with the current of the river that you are fishing. Split shot sinkers are added to the line for weight, with the goal being to have your live fishing worm bounce along the bottom of the river as it drifts with the current.

With practice you will learn to lovedrift fishing with a live fishing worm and will find that it is as deadly a rainbow trout fishing technique as there is. If you want to know how to catch rainbow trout when river fishing, live fishing worms are the best bait to use and drift fishing is the technique to use, there's no doubt about it.

The Best Bait to Use For Trout in the Summer

2011-08-02T07:05:00.000-06:00

Although there are a plethora of different baits that can be used to catch trout in the summer, there seems to be one bait that stands out above all others. In my experience, which spans of over twenty years, there is one type of trout bait to use for trout in the summer and that bait is insects or an insect imitation. It is well documented that the four main species of freshwater trout (rainbow, brook, brown, and cutthroat) all feed heavily on insects and the summer is probably the best time of the year for insect populations, especially when you are speaking of terrestrial insects.

Terrestrial insects peak in abundance during the summer months and as a result any terrestrial insect pattern can be extremely effective during the summer months when water temperatures are ideal for trout growth and trout tend to be feeding heavily on many sources of protein, including insects. Seeing as how live insects can be very difficult to use as bait for trout (with the possible exception of large grasshoppers and some species of beetles) this means that in the summer the best bait to use for trout is an artificial fly.

Artificial flies are the best way to mimic an insect when fishing and there is little doubt that "fly fishing" is the best known and most popular way to fish while using artificial flies as bait. There are three main types of insects that you want to focus on when you are talking about the best bait to use for trout in the summer; ants, beetles, and/or grasshoppers. Fly patterns that emulate any of these three types of insects are excellent choice as bait for trout during the summer months.

Whether you are a traditional "fly fisherman" or you are a spin fisherman using a "fly fishing bubble" to fish with artificial flies there is little doubt that the best bait to use for trout during the summer is an artificial fly pattern that emulates some form of ant, beetle, or grasshopper.

Ants always seem to be found around the water and it seems as if everyone has heard about how much fish love ants, well trout are certainly one of the fish that love to eat ants. There are literally thousands of types of beetles on the planet and there will be different kinds, sizes, and species of beetles on virtually every waterway, but the bottom line is that beetle patterns are a great place to start when it comes to a summer trout bait choice. When grasshoppers are abundant (and this will vary from season to season) trout routinely gorge themselves and a 'hopper' pattern can perform well all day or even week long.

The bottom line is that when it comes to the best bait to use for trout in the summer, insects are difficult to beat. Whether you are fly fishing in the traditional sense or using a casting bubble and spinning gear, artificial fly patterns that mimic any of the aforementioned terrestrial insect species are a great trout bait choice to employ during the summer.

How To Catch Trout In a Lake

2011-07-28T13:42:00.000-06:00

Many people want to know how to catch trout in a lake and in this article I will

outline three effective ways to accomplish this fairly simple task. Many times catching trout is thought of as something that takes place in a river or stream, but the truth is that in many areas trout are "stocked" or "planted" by local fish and game departments and are available to be be caught by anglers. For the aforementioned reason trout are not only found in lakes, but can also be caught from said lakes by fishermen.

If you are one of the many fishermen that are interested in how to catch trout in a lake, this article is most certainly for you. The following three methods are among the most effective methods that can be employed to catch trout in a lake. The most common species of trout that are stocked in lakes is the rainbow trout, which is the species of trout that the following techniques are effective for. There is another species of trout that is found in lakes, lake trout, but this species of trout requires not only a boat, but also specialized gear and techniques to fish for effectively. For the purposes of this article the subject of how to catch trout in a lake will revolve around the beautiful rainbow trout, rather than there distant cousins the lake trout.

Still Fishing - This technique is used by many people to catch trout in a lake. It involves fishing with a basic bottom rig (often referred to as still fishing) that has been baited with a dough style trout bait. The most popular form of dough style trout bait is called Powerbait. If you want to know how to catch trout in a lake, still fishing is an excellent way to go (especially if those trout have been "planted").

Fly Fishing - Fly fishing is a very effective technique to use to catch trout in a lake. Whether you are a traditional "fly fisherman" or a spin fisherman that is using a casting bubble, there is little doubt that the use of an artificial fly as bait is an excellent way to catch trout in a lake. Trout are known by virtually anyone who has ever fished for them as loving to eat insects, which is why "fly fishing" is an excellent technique to use if you want to catch trout in a lake. Fishing with an artificial fly is the only way to mimic an insect while fishing in an effective manner.

Stick Bait Fishing - "Throwing" a small stick bait (such as a Rapala floating minnow) is an excellent way to catch trout in a lake. Stick baits that are from one to four inches long are the way to go when attempting to catch rainbow trout. Stick baits mimic live minnow very well and can be hard for hungry trout to resist. Jerking your rod tip as you retrieve the stick bait adds action that makes the minnow look as if it's wounded, which can attract even non-active rainbow trout.

The bottom line is that all of the aforementioned techniques are all excellent ways to catch trout in a lake and if any of them aren't a part of your trout fishing repertoire, they should be added sooner rather than later.

The Best Ways To Catch Trout : For Spin Fishermen

2011-07-24T07:03:00.000-06:00

For more than two decades I have been fishing for trout, many times in rivers and/or streams, and in all that time I have done so while using ultra light spin fishing gear. When asked what I like to do, I reply that I love to fish for trout and most people automatically assume that this means that I fly fish, which isn't the case. I then have to point out that although I love to fish for trout, I don't fly fish. It's not that I have anything against "fly fishing" (although many fly fishermen seem to take themselves quite seriously), it's just that I have always chosen not to partake in the form of fishing known as "fly fishing".

With that being said, over the past twenty plus years that I have spent fishing for trout as a spin fishermen, I have learned some very effective ways to catch trout, a few of which I will outline in this article. Are these the out and out best ways to catch trout for spin fishermen? It would be impossible to say that this is the case, but what I can say is that in my experience these are some of the best ways to catch trout, and they have all served me well for many years.

The first of the ways to catch trout that I want to outline is called fishing with dough bait, and it involves "still fishing" in a pond or lake that has been stocked with trout while using dough bait trout bait. Now, you can use whatever type of dough bait that you prefer to use, but the most popular form of dough trout bait is called Powerbait. The bottom line is that there is little doubt that fishing with dough bait is one of the best ways for spin fishermen to catch trout.

The next of the best ways to catch trout is called drifting a worm, and it involves "drift fishing" a live worm in the current of a river or stream, with the goal being to have your worm bounce along the bottom of the river or stream as it drifts with the current. This particular trout fishing technique has been very good to me over the years and is my preferred method of catching trout. Drift fishing for trout is much like drift fishing for steelhead except for the fact that much lighter gear and fishing line are employed. If you are an ultra light spin fisherman "drifting a worm" needs to be a part of your trout fishing repertoire.

As I said earlier, the best ways to catch trout are based largely upon personal fishing preferences, but when it comes to spin fishing, the aforementioned techniques have to, at the very least, be among the best ways to catch trout. For the spin fishermen, ultralight trout fishing is an excellent way to catch trout, there's no doubt about it.

Beginning Trout Fishing: The Basics

2011-07-20T05:10:00.000-06:00

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.

Fly Fishing Bubble: Fly Fish While Using Spin Fishing Gear

2011-07-18T07:00:00.000-06:00

Anyone who spends time "wetting a line" in an attempt to catch freshwater fish is aware of the fact that insects are a major food source for many species of freshwater game fish. There are literally tens of thousands of insects species and various species of fish rely on these insects as a food source. Whether underwater or floating on the surface, there is little doubt that insects are a major food source for a great many species of freshwater fish.

Insects are difficult to use as bait for attempting to catch fish for many reasons, which is why an entire style of fishing was created many years ago called fly fishing. Ever heard of it? Of course you have because fly fishing has become extremely popular in recent years. The style of fishing known as fly fishing was created as a way to cast and fish effectively with lightweight artificial flies. An artificial fly is the best and most realistic way to mimic a live insect and fly fishing is a very effective way to fish while using artificial flies as bait.

What's interesting about this is that many anglers don't want to go to the expense, both monetarily and with their time, to learn a whole new style of fishing, which is where the fly fishing bubble comes into play. With a fly bubble you are able to use artificial flies while using spinning gear. I realize that this might seem strange, but it's nonetheless true. With a casting bubble you can fly fish while using spin fishing gear, and you can do so in a very effective manner.

The fly fishing bubble itself is a small plastic sphere that slips onto your fishing line similar to the way a slip bobber does. The bubble has a 'stopper' running through the center of it that allows water to enter the bubble when the stopper is depressed and held beneath the water. Adding water obviously adds weight, which enables lightweight artificial flies to be cast and retrieved in an effective manner.

With practice this "fly fishing" technique is a great addition to any spin fisherman's arsenal. The technique is effective for many species of freshwater fish from large and small mouth bass to trout and even pan fish. The length and weight of your leader can easily be changed to account for many different types of artificial flies. As you become more adept at using a fly fishing bubble you will wonder how you ever went fishing without one in your tackle box because it is such an effective way to fish with an artificial fly while using "normal" fishing gear.

The Best Time To Trout Fish: Fishing For Trout As River Flows Normalize

2011-07-13T04:49:00.001-06:00

There are many different times to trout fish; the spring, summer, fall, and even winter, but one of the best times of the year to trout fish is when water levels return to normal after spring rains and run off from the mountains. If you are a "drift fisherman" like I am this is an incredible time of the year for trout fishing. Many times trout feed heavily in rivers as river flows normalize and the water begins to clear up after months of muddy and extremely heavy current flows.

For this reason fishing for trout as river flows normalize is considered the best time to trout fish for many trout anglers, especially those who choose drift fishing as their "go to" trout fishing technique. What is "drift fishing" you ask? Drift fishing is allowing live bait (such as a live worm) or your favorite trout spinner or spoon to drift naturally with the current of the river that you are fishing in an attempt to catch trout, and one of the best times for drift fishing for trout is during the late summer and fall as river flows return to "normal" levels.

In this article I will outline some drift fishing strategies so that you can partake in this trout fishing technique and experience the best time of the year to trout fish (if you haven't already). The first technique involves allowing a small spinner or spoon to drift naturally with the current of the river that you are fishing. Attaching your spinner or spoon to your line with a twelve to eighteen inch leader by using a swivel is a great idea. This will prevent your line from becoming twisted and in the case of in line spinners, allow the lure to perform as it was designed to perform. Fishing your spinner of spoon within three inches of the surface is the way to go, especially as river levels continue to drop.

The next technique to employ as river flows normalize is drifting a live worm. This technique works throughout the time that river flows return to "normal" levels, but this technique becomes truly special during the fall. Drift fishing with a live worm is an excellent way to go about fishing for trout and is a technique that every serious trout fisherman should have as a part of his or her trout fishing repertoire. The goal when drifting a worm is to have it bounce along the bottom over the river bed as it flows with the current. At first this can seem strange, but with practice you will get the hang of it and realize the effectiveness of the technique.

Although the "best" time of year to trout fish more than likely varies from trout fisherman to trout fisherman, there is little doubt that the time when river flows normalize after spring rains and run off is at the very least among the best times of the year to fish for our beautiful friends known as 'trout'.

The Best Time To Trout Fish: Start Catching More Trout Today

2011-07-08T06:43:00.000-06:00

For people who fish for trout, whether those trout are rainbow, brook, cutthroat, or brown, there is one question that generates as much interest as any and that question is when is the best time to trout fish? I have been fishing for these multicolored beauties for more than two decades and the best answer that I have been able to come up with is "anytime that you can", am I right? Although this answer seems to have some validity the truth is that there are certain factors that we as anglers can learn about and pay attention to help us determine the best time to trout fish, or at least to narrow it down so that we are on the water fishing for trout at the most opportune times.

Let me ask you a question. Have you ever had one of those epic days fishing for trout where it seemed as if you could do no wrong? Like whatever you threw into the water resulted in a trout biting, and not only this but you caught larger trout than you normally do? I sure have and I have learned from experience that this phenomenon has less to do with "luck" than we fishermen have been led to believe. The bottom line is that the best time to trout fish is much more involved that "anytime that you can".

The first factor to keep in mind is the weather. The weather and more to the point the kinds of frontal systems that are passing through your fishing area causing changes in the barometric pressure have a lot to do with whether or not the trout will be active and thus in the "mood" to feed. Trout can detect changes in barometric pressure through their lateral lines and as the pressure changes so does their willingness to feed.

The next factor to discuss in relation to the best time to trout fish is the moon. That's right the phase that the moon is in has a lot to do with whether or not trout are "in the mood" to eat. Certain moon phases, such as the new moon, are much more conducive to fishing than say the waxing crescent. Knowing which phases of the moon are best for fishing and planning your fishing trips accordingly will go a long towards catching more trout.

The last factor that I want to discuss is the time of day that you are fishing. Trout will be more or less active during certain seasons depending on the time of the day that you are fishing for them. Most people who trout fish know that mornings and evenings are best for fishing, but what many trout anglers don't realize is that this is really only true when the days are long and hot, like during the summer. In the early spring, late fall, and winter, the "heat of the day" tends to be much more conducive to trout feeding. The time of the day and the season that you are attempting to trout fish is also vitally important to catching trout.

The bottom line is that the best time to trout fish is when a majority of the aforementioned factors are in your favor as an angler. When they are you are much more likely to have one of those epic days of fishing for trout like I referred to earlier.

The Best Trout Bait?

2011-06-29T06:57:00.000-06:00

What is the best trout bait? There are so many possibilities that it's difficult to pin down one as the best. There's corn, cheese, and marshmallows but those seem weird to me. To me they simply don't seem like something that fish, especially the trout I love so much, should eat. In reality they don't, stocked trout do. To me stocked trout are kind of like those goldfish in the pet store. I simply don't like the fact that stocked trout are raised in an aquarium, and then released so that we can "catch" them. But I suppose the point is that they do eat those 3 baits. The other point is that no matter what I think about stocked trout, when the rivers are too high to fish, I go to my local lake and catch them. So I suppose when it comes to stocked trout, I'm a bit of a hypocrite.

After these three baits, we have the synthetic baits. These are the trout bait that come in little jars. I'm sure you know what I'm referring to? The most popular type is probably Berkley Powerbait. For these stocked trout that I was just railing against, these baits work great! Powerbait, still fished on a set of gang hooks, is a deadly combination for catching trout in a lake that has been stocked. For stocked trout, which most trout in lakes, synthetic trout baits are hard to beat. My friends and I have joked that they must feed the trout this stuff in the hatcheries, because they freakin' love it!

There are also the live baits. Trout baits such as mealworms, maggots, crickets, grasshoppers, and of course the grand daddy of them all, the worm. A live worm is probably the best trout bait that God ever created. I've personally caught more trout using a live worm rigged on a set of gang hooks than I care to remember. The combination is truly deadly. Especially when drifted down the current of a flowing river. In my mind a live worm rigged on a set of pre-tied gang hooks and then bounced off the bottom of a flowing river or stream is, hands down, the best trout bait.

All of the trout baits mentioned in this article are effective. They all have their time and place, but if you put a gun to my head and made me choose just one trout bait it would be the good old American worm!

How to Fish For Rainbow Trout : Tips to Make You More Successful

2011-06-24T07:21:00.001-06:00

Are you new to trout fishing? Or maybe just want some tips to help you catch more rainbow trout on your next trout fishing outing? Well, in this article I'll outline some tips that will help you be a much more effective rainbow trout angler. If you want to know how to fish for rainbow trout this article is definitely for you.

These tips were learned both from 20 plus years of personal experience and from the best trout fisherman I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. This man has since passed on to another plane of existence, but before he left he taught me a ton about how to fish for rainbow trout. These tips will certainly make you more successful when fishing for these beautiful fish.

The fist thing to consider when fishing for rainbow trout is the size of your gear, and by 'gear' I'm referring to your rod, reel, line, and the manner in which you carry your lures, tackle and bait. When it comes to your fishing rod and reel when trout fishing, in most instances an ultra light rod and reel are what's needed. Your reel should be spooled with six pound test at most, with four pound test being ideal.

The best way to carry your tackle when fishing for rainbow trout is a fishing vest. Fishing vests have a ton of pockets for your tackle, weights, swivels, extra line, water bottles, etc. Many times when you fish for rainbow trout you will be wading and being able to carry all of your fishing tackle with you in a convenient manner is of the utmost importance. A fishing vest is definitely the way to go when fishing for freshwater trout of any kind.

The next thing to consider when fishing for trout is how you want to carry your bait. One of the best baits for rainbow trout is worms and the best way to carry worms while fishing is a bait bag. A bait bag simply clips to your fishing vest and carries your worms while fishing. In other words, the worms are removed from their original container and transferred to the bait bag. This way your bait is always at your fingertips waiting to be used. When it comes to rainbow trout tips this is one of the best. A bait bag is all but invaluable to the wading river fisherman.

Another piece of gear that helps immensely when fishing for trout is gang hooks. Whether you want to fi trout with live bait or you want to fish with synthetic trout bait such as Powerbait, gang hooks are a great idea.

Another great tackle idea is the use of small spinners such as rooster tails. When I say small I mean it, because I'm talking about spinners in the 1/32-1/16 weight class. Small spinners are great artificial bait for trout. One of my personal favorites is the Rooster Tail. Having a variety of small Rooster Tails (or other small spinners) is a must for any fishing vest.

If you want to know how to fish for rainbow trout, these tips will help you immensely. Never forget that there is no "tip" that will help you like spending time on the water fishing. The more time that you can spend on the water, the more successful you will be.

Fighting Large Trout

2011-06-20T05:50:00.000-06:00

As a person who has been fishing for and catching large trout in the flowing current of rivers and streams for more than 20 years, I think I'm qualified to review a few points to keep in mind when fighting a large trout. I personally fish with ultra light fishing gear and four pound test monofilament line, so these points are that much more important. I suggest everyone use ultra light gear for trout fishing, because catching them in this manner is as much fun as can be had with your clothes on! When it comes to large trout (18 inches and above) keep these points in mind while fighting them to improve you success rate.

Keep fresh line spooled on your reel - This point is for those of us that use monofilament fishing line. When your line has been fished with for any extended period of time, it gets stretched, frayed, twisted, etc. This can cost you when fighting a large trout. I change my fishing line at least once a month during the heart of fishing season. Fresh line enables you to cast better, tie knots better, and has the strength that is necessary when fighting a large trout.
Keep your rod tip high - In almost all cases large trout will run towards deeper water or underwater debris. Large trout love to bolt for the biggest rock or underwater branch in an attempt to get tangled or break the line. Keeping your rod tip high gives you your best advantage at controlling the fish. Keeping your rod tip high also takes pressure off of the line by using the bend of your rod to the maximum advantage.
Let the fish tire itself out - Using the strength of the fish to your advantage is critical. This means if the fish wants to make a run, let it! If the fish gets in the current and just stops, let it sit there and tire itself out. A favorite move of large trout is just that. Getting into the current and turning their body at such an angle that it feels as if they are snagged. Many times your not snagged, the fish is just "wedged" in the current. Let the trout tire itself out as much as possible.
Set your drag as you go - many anglers set their drag and then forget about it. This is a mistake. Set your drag fairly tight for hook-sets, and then adjust it after you "feel" how large the fish is. There's no one place that your drag should be set. Your drag should be changed as you fight the fish. If it's too tight, your line could break, too loose and the fish will constantly be taking line, and get off. Where to set your drag for any given fish is an experience thing, so the more time you can spend fishing, the better. The point is, set your drag tight for the hook-set, and then back it off as you "feel" how big the trout is.

These points will help you fight and land large trout on a much more consistent basis. Remember there's nothing that will help your large trout fighting ability more than practice, so get out there and start catching some trout. And never forget what Gandhi said of practice,"An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching." The "fighting large trout" sermon is over.

Common Sense Trout Fishing Tactics

2011-06-17T07:33:00.000-06:00

I have been fishing for all of the main species of freshwater trout; rainbow, brown, brook and cutthroat, for more than two decades and in that time have learned that there is nothing more important than good old common sense when it comes to fishing for these beautiful fish. In this article I will outline some common sense trout fishing tactics so that you can add them to your personal trout fishing arsenal and start catching more trout today.

The most popular and prevalent species of trout is the rainbow trout and this is the species that most people fish for. No matter what species of trout are being targeted there is something that they all have in common and that is the type of water that trout are found in. Whether it be in a lake or a river, trout are found in cold, clear water most of the time which means that the first common sense trout fishing tactic is to use an ultralight rod and reel that is spooled with very light fishing line (two to six pound test is ideal). This is because in clear water trout (which have very keen eyesight) can easily detect fishing line under the water and if they can see your fishing line they are much less apt to bite your offering. So an ultralight rod and reel that is spooled with light fishing line is the first of the common sense trout fishing tactics that need to be adhered to.

Next is that you are efficient as possible when you are on the water fishing for trout. This means employing time saving fishing gear such as a fishing vest, a bait bag, retractors, and hemostats for removing hooks from a trout's mouth quickly and easily. Being efficient means that you spend more time with your line in the water where the trout are, rather than out of the water while you tend to mundane fishing tasks. Being efficient means that you spend as little time as possible doing mundane fishing tasks such as removing hooks, baiting up, or looking for gear that you use frequently, which is why the gear mentioned above is so important to any serious trout fisherman. There is no doubt that being efficient on the water is one of the most important common sense trout fishing tactics that many trout fishermen simply never consider.

The last common sense trout fishing tactic has to do with when you are on the water fishing. There is one simple factor that affects fishing to a much greater degree than most people realize and that fact if the phase of the moon. The phase that the moon is in has a lot to do with whether of not the trout that you hope to catch will be active or not and if the trout aren't "active" they are much more difficult to catch. So learn which phases of the moon are most conducive to fishing and begin to plan your trout fishing trips accordingly. If you follow this simple trout fishing tactic you will experience much more success.
Start using these common sense trout fishing tactics as soon as you can and you will begin experiencing much more success on the water, no matter what species of trout you are targeting.

Catch More Trout: 3 Tips to Help Anyone Catch More and Bigger Trout

2011-06-14T05:51:00.000-06:00

In more than twenty five years of fishing for trout I have found that there is one thing that trout fishermen covet above all others and that one thing is how to catch not only more trout, but also bigger trout. In this article I will draw upon my two plus decades of experience fishing for the various species of freshwater trout to list 3 tips that will help anyone catch not only more trout, but also bigger trout.
Before I get down to the tips themselves I should point out that I prefer spin fishing, and not just spin fishing, but more to the point ultra light spin fishing when it comes to fishing for trout, so all of these tips will relate to fishing in this manner. I also prefer to fish for trout in small to medium sized rivers, which is the type of water that these particular trout fishing tips pertain to, as well. Now, with that being said, let's get down to the 3 tips that will help you catch more and bigger trout, what do you say?
Focus On Deeper Water - When it comes to catching trout it's important to point out that trout (especially larger trout) are often found in deeper water. This means that deep runs, pools, and edges are great places to concentrate your fishing efforts. Although trout are found in shallow water also, focus a majority of your fishing time on the deeper runs, pools, and edges within the river that you are fishing.
When Using Live Bait, Keep It At or Near The Bottom - If you want to catch not only more, but also bigger trout live bait is a great trout bait choice, and when using live bait you want to have it "bounce" or "roll" along the bottom of the river as it flows with the current. This is a vitally important point if you want to catch more and bigger trout. A great way to accomplish this task is to add and/or remove split shot sinkers until you find the perfect amount of weight for the current flow in the river that you are fishing.
Large Trout Like To Be "Out Of The Way" - Large trout tend to be found in areas of the river that don't receive a ton of fishing pressure. Although this isn't the case 100% of the time it tends to hold true more often than not. This means that you will catch more and especially bigger trout by fishing in places that the masses or "weekend warriors" tend not to fish. Try walking along the river farther than most people would, such as after a walking trail can hardly be noticed or fishing a deep hole from an angle that other fishermen don't even try. As a general rule, the more "out of the way" you can get, the larger the trout will be.
If you want to catch more trout, and you obviously do because you are reading this article, add one or all of these tips to your trout fishing repertoire sooner, rather than later.

How To Catch Trout With A Worm

2011-06-11T10:33:00.001-06:00

Using a worm as bait certainly couldn't be compared to learning quantum physics, but it isn't quite as simple as most anglers make it out to be either. Worms are a good bait to use while fishing and when a worm is coupled with a few other factors a simple "worm" can become a truly excellent fishing bait. Nowhere is this more true than when you talk about fishing for trout, a species of fish that I have been targeting for more than two decades, and in this article I will use the knowledge that I've gained over that time to teach you how to catch trout with a worm (which is the most effective trout bait in my opinion).

In my experience when it comes to catching trout with a worm the type of water that you fish in is of the utmost importance. Trout are found in both lakes and rivers and rivers are what you want to focus on when you are using a fishing worm in an attempt to catch trout. Not just rivers, but more to the point, small to medium sized rivers (the size rivers that can be "wade fished" effectively). When learning how to catch trout with worms, this is the type of water that you want to focus on.

Next is the technique that is employed. Just "threading" a worm onto a #4 hook and throwing it into the water is not the way to go about catching a trout with a worm. You need to have a more "measured" approach and that approach is known drift fishing. Drift fishing is usually thought of as a steel head fishing technique, but it also works very well when fishing for trout. After all a steel head is just a trout that "runs" to the ocean (or similarly large body of water) to feed before returning to spawn. In any case, if you want to know how to catch trout with a worm, drift fishing said worm is the technique that you want to employ.

By allowing the worm to "drift" naturally with the current of the river, the worms looks exactly like it would in nature which means that hungry trout will find the worm very difficult to resist. There are two keys to attempting to catch trout by fishing with worms in this manner. The first key is to rig your worm on a set of gang hooks so that the worm appears as natural as possible to the trout that you are attempting to catch and the second is to use something called a worm bag. By using a worm bag your live fishing worms are always within easy reach for baiting up and re-baiting which saves you a ton of valuable fishing time.

Follow these simple tips and you will experience much more success the next time that you head out in an attempt to catch trout and you will never again wonder how to catch trout with a worm, you will in fact know how.

Trout Fishing Tips - Bottom Bouncing Rivers

2011-06-07T06:04:00.000-06:00

Anyone who is interested in catching trout consistently needs to know about a trout fishing technique that is known as "bottom bouncing rivers" and in this article I will outline how this technique works and how it can help you catch more trout. More than twenty years ago I was taught this technique in Central Pennsylvania by a man who was renowned throughout the area for catching trophy sized trout out of heavily fished rivers using a technique he liked to call "bottom bouncing".

I have been using the technique ever since, honing my skills as the years have passed, and catching trout all throughout the United States. Bottom bouncing rivers has become my "go to" trout fishing technique and I have no doubt that the trout fishing tips contained in this article will help you to become a much more effective trout fisherman.

Let's begin with the type of rivers that are best for this particular trout fishing technique. Small to medium sized rivers are the perfect size for bottom bouncing, the kind of rivers that can be wade fished effectively. Rivers that contain runs, deep pools, many bends and riffles that are shallow enough to wade across safely are normally the type of rivers that I look for when I want to do some bottom bouncing.

The idea behind "bottom bouncing" is to have your bait bounce (or roll) along the bottom of the river as it is carried naturally with the current of said river. In almost all cases the bail on your spinning reel is closed to ensure that your line is completely taught as it flows. This way a when a trout bites your bait it can be easily detected. When you first start using the "bottom bouncing" technique the bottom of the river may feel like a bite, but with practice you quickly learn to distinguish between the bottom and a bite from a hungry trout.

I have always found live bait to be the most effective bait to use when you are bottom bouncing rivers and the most readily available and easy to carry live bait is the live worm. Live worms have long been known as an effective fishing bait and this fact is certainly true when it comes to trout fishing. Rigging a live worm onto a set of gang hooks so that the worm is presented in an outstretched and natural manner, and then "bottom bouncing" that worm along the bottom of a river is one of the best trout fishing tips that you will ever receive.

A key to bottom bouncing rivers is to have patience. Since you are literally letting your bait bounce along the bottom of the river, getting snagged in inevitable. As a matter of fact on some days getting snagged is as common as getting a bite so you have to be prepared for this fact. Once you get the weight right for the current flow and depth of the river that you are fishing, getting "hung up" isn't nearly as common, but getting the perfect amount of weight can only be determined through trial and error. In other words, if getting "snagged" is something that you hate dealing with, this particular trout fishing technique may not be for you.

The bottom line is that when it comes to trout fishing tips, bottom bouncing rivers is a technique that should be added to every serious trout fisherman's repertoire. The technique has helped me catch a ton of trout over the years and I know it will do the same for you.

How To Catch Trout - Rainbow Trout Fishing 101

2011-06-02T08:47:00.000-06:00

If you want to know how to catch trout, the rainbow trout is probably the most important species of "trout" to learn about, mainly because the rainbow trout is the most plentiful and readily available species of trout that can to be fished for and caught in most areas. I have been fishing for and catching "rainbows" for more than two decades and in that time have learned that the most important aspects to catching these beautiful fish consistently are that some basic ideas are mastered. Fishing for and catching rainbow trout certainly couldn't be compared to quantum physics, but the bottom line is that learning and mastering some of the basics will go a long way towards not only learning how to catch trout, but also catching trout on a consistent basis.

In this article I will draw upon my twenty plus years of experience to outline some of these basics. Kind of a little rainbow trout fishing 101 "class" if you will. This "class" will go a long way towards making you a much more successful angler when it comes to fishing for the muti-colored beauties known as rainbow trout. Rainbows can be caught in rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds using many different techniques that employ both fly fishing gear and spin fishing gear. I have always chosen to use traditional spin fishing gear when fishing for rainbow trout so this "course" will include tips and techniques for using this type of fishing gear.

An Ultra Light Rod & Reel Are A Must - Using an ultra light rod and reel is a must when fishing for rainbow trout mainly because ultra light gear is designed specifically for using light fishing line and using light fishing line is also a "must" when it comes to fishing for these fish. This is a mistake that all to many people make when learning how to catch trout. Using an ultra light rod and reel which is spooled with light line also makes hooking and landing trout much more enjoyable, as many times rainbow trout can be between ten and fifteen inches in length.

Drift Fishing With Live Worms is an Effective Technique - When fishing for these beautiful fish in the flowing water of a river or stream, "drift fishing" with a live worm is an extremely effective technique to use. I have been rainbow trout fishing using this "drift fishing" technique ever since I originally learned how to catch trout more than two decades ago.

Cleaning Your Hands Is Important - All species of freshwater trout have a very sensitive sense of smell and can easily detect any unnatural scents on the food source that they are about to eat. Human scents will transfer easily to your bait or lure through your fingers as you touch them, and this can cause a weary trout not to bite your offering. For this reason you always want to "clean" your hands of any unnatural scents that may be present before touching your bait or lure. This can be accomplished by rubbing a handful of dirt in your hands before touching any of your bait or lure when you are on the water.

Whether you are just learning how to catch trout or have been fishing for trout for years, there is little doubt that the aforementioned tips will make you more effective the next time that you head out in search of our friends' the rainbow trout.

Trout Fishing Mistakes That Many People Make

2011-05-23T05:51:00.000-06:00

I've spent a lot of time writing about the best practices to catch more trout, and I figured it was time to discuss some of the most common trout fishing mistakes and how to avoid them. These simple trout fishing mistakes are easily corrected and easy to avoid if you know what to do. After reading this article you will have no excuse for making these silly mistakes, which incidentally cost you a ton of bites.

So, rather than droning on and on let's get down to business shall we, so that you can begin avoiding these common trout fishing mistakes that are so costly to your fishing success.

Using Line That's Too Heavy - I see this all too often. I'll be walking along my favorite trout stream and see discarded fishing line that's heavy enough to land a 20 pound mackerel, and I think to myself, "What in God's name are these people thinking?" Using line that's too heavy is one of the most common trout fishing mistakes. Whenever you are trout fishing (in normal situations) any line heavier than six pound test in complete overkill. I personally use four pound test for all of my trout fishing, and regularly hook and land trout in the 2-5 pound range. Trout are found in very clear water and have very keen eyesight, so using fishing line that's too heavy is a huge problem.
Not Paying Attention To Your Hands - This is a big trout fishing faux paux. Trout have a very sensitive sense of smell and can detect unnatural odors easily, and guess what happens if they detect an unnatural odor? That's right, they tend not to bite. So, what's the remedy for this all too common trout fishing mistake? Simply grab a handful of grass or dirt and rub it into your hands before baiting up. Simple enough, huh? Doing this will effectively eliminate any unnatural odors that may be on your hands, so that the trout won't become leery and tend not to bite.
Using Hooks That Are Too Large - Many trout anglers make the mistake of using hooks that are entirely too large. The theory with using large hooks is that the bait can be "threaded" onto the hook . This is a huge trout fishing mistake! The way to use bait when trout fishing is to use pre-tied gang hooks to rig said bait, especially if live worms are involved. Gang hooks are simply a pair of small hooks tied in tandem, which not only allows for small hooks to be used, but also enables totally natural presentation. Use gang hooks (size 8 or 10) and you will eliminate the mistake of using hooks that are to large.
Not Using Mother Nature To Your Advantage - A big fishing mistake is not using Mother Nature, and more specifically the weather and moon, to your advantage when fishing. Did you realize that these 2 forces of Mother Nature have as much to do with you catching fish as any single factors? Well, it's true and not using this information to your advantage is a huge trout fishing mistake. Take a little time and find out the ways the weather and moon impact fishing and start using this free information to your advantage. Begin using the weather and moon to your advantage sooner, rather than later an you will avoid this popular trout fishing mistake.

Use the simple information contained in this article to your advantage and you will become a much more effective trout angler. Now you can avoid these common trout fishing problems, and take your trout fishing to the next level.

Using Power Bait To Catch Trout

2011-05-19T06:58:00.000-06:00

Using power bait to catch trout is probably the easiest manner in which to catch a trout, yet many trout fishermen (especially people who are new to the world of trout fishing) make some simple mistakes that decrease their chances of a trout biting their bait quite dramatically. In this article I will list a few of these mistakes so that they can be avoided the next time that you are using this unique bait to try to catch some trout.

Power bait is an interesting type of trout bait. It is manufactured dough bait that comes in many different colors and is distributed in small jars. The bait itself is molded into a ball around a fishing hook and normally the cast out into a lake or pond that contains trout and "still fished". Over the years, the most common question that I get asked in regards to using power bait to catch trout is "what color is the most effective" and the answer to this question is really quite simple. You never know what color power bait will be the most effective on a given day fishing for trout. For example, one day chartreuse will knock them dead and one day rainbow will be the most effective, you just never know what color power bait will work best. This means that experimentation is the key to determining the best color when it comes to using this bait to catch trout. Always have 2-4 different colors available and test them until you determine which color is the best for a particular day on the water.

The next thing to consider when using power bait to catch trout is the size of the fishing hook that you choose to employ. Many trout fishermen make the mistake of using fishing hooks that are too large when fishing with power bait. In most cases, a single treble hook is the way to go when you are fishing with power bait and the perfect sized treble hooks for trout fishing are size #12 or #18. Any hooks larger than this is a mistake when attempting to use this unique type of trout bait. You also want to make sure that all of the metal on the hook is covered with bait when using power bait.

Power bait is manufactured with trout attracting scents that disperse into the water as the bait itself dissolves. This process happens slowly and is the main reason that this type of trout bait is so effective. For this reason, when using power bait to catch trout you want to keep as many "human scents" off the bait itself as much as possible, which can be difficult without the help of a Powerbait press. The bottom line is that the less "human scent" there is on the bait, the more bites you will receive from hungry trout.

Keep these simple tips in mind and avoid the aforementioned mistakes that many "rookie" trout fishermen make the next time that you are using this style of bait to catch trout and you will have a much more successful day on the water, I promise you.

Effective Rainbow Trout Techniques

2011-05-13T13:25:00.001-06:00

In this post I'm going to outline a couple of very effective rainbow trout techniques. Rainbow trout are sought after by many anglers, yet for many people they can be difficult to catch. The techniques outlined in this post are very effective and have been working for me personally for more that 25 years. These techniques can be easily modified as well and used effectively for many species of fish.

The first thing to keep in mind in regards to fishing for rainbow trout is that trout are found in cold, clear water and have very keen eyesight. A big mistake that many anglers make is to use fishing line that's much too heavy when fishing for trout. Line heavier than six-pound test should be avoided. My personal preference is four-pound test, but six pound test is passable. Six-pound test is the heaviest line that should be used when fishing for rainbow trout (especially in river and stream situations). Many anglers use line that's much heavier than this and it's a big mistake.

Now for the techniques. The first effective rainbow trout technique is for use in the flowing waters of both rivers and streams. To effectively employ this technique, you will be wading in your favorite trout river. Begin by grabbing the line coming from your rod and tying on a small barrel swivel (size 10 or 12). On the other end of the barrel swivel, tie on a set of pre-tied gang hooks (match the size to the line that you're using). Split shot sinkers are now added for weight (the size and number will vary depending on water conditions). The goal is to have you offering "roll" or "bounce" along the bottom as it flows naturally with the current. A worm (either live or synthetic) is now added to the pre-tied gang hooks. This is the rig.

This baited trout rig is now cast into the current and allowed to flow naturally downstream. Once the rig is directly below you, the drift is over and it's time to reel in and re-cast. This trout technique is extremely effective and with practice you'll easily be able to distinguish between bottom and bites.

The next effective rainbow trout technique is for fishing from the shore, sometimes called still fishing. Rather than worms, you will use synthetic trout bait (the kind that comes in little jars) for bait. Begin by taking the end of your line and slipping on an egg sinker. Now tie on a barrel swivel, which will act as a "stopper" for the egg sinker. Again, a set of pre-tied gang hooksshould be tied on the opposite end of the barrel swivel. Now, trout bait is added to each of the hooks on the set of gang hooks. You want to add enough bait to completely cover each hook (so that no metal is showing). When you're done, you'll have two balls of trout bait hanging from the end of your line.

This rig is now cast into the lake and allowed to sink to the bottom (leave you bail open and watch your line to know when it hits bottom). As you can probably imagine, the trout bait will now be floating off of the bottom as your sinker holds your line on the bottom. At this point prop your rod against a stationary object and slowly reel in the slack line. You want your line to be completely taught. Now it's time to wait for a bite. Your rod tip will start bouncing when a trout bites.

Both of these rainbow trout techniques are effective and will result in trout being caught. How am I so sure of this fact? Because I've been using these techniques to catch rainbows for many years, and if they work for me they will work for anyone. Remember, the best "technique" in the world does little good for someone who isn't willing to invest the time necessary to learn the nuances of said technique.

Rainbow tout can be a very "finicky" fish, and the better you become at the little things, the more success you will have. This is especially true with larger, more experienced fish. Sure the trout that have just come from the hatchery are easy to fool, but "native" fish are a bit more of a challenge.

How Do I Catch More Trout? Tips For Catching More & Bigger Trout?

2011-05-09T07:54:00.000-06:00

Many anglers can go out to their local lake or river that's been stocked with trout and catch a few, but they have an interest in taking their trout fishing to the next level. These anglers find themselves asking the question, how do I catch more trout, quite often. Well, in this article I'm going to use my 25 plus years of fishing experience to help you answer this question, and start catching more & bigger trout.

Catching freshly stocked trout isn't all that difficult, after all these fish have been born and raised in glorified aquariums and released for the express purpose of being caught. If you want to catch more and bigger trout the first thing that you have to do is not do what most anglers do. This means that you do the things that most anglers wouldn't even consider, like the tips in this article.

Let's begin with the areas that you fish. Do you tend to fish around other anglers? Do you fish within a ¼ mile of wherever the main parking area is? If there is a trail leading to your trout fishing area, do you follow the trail for a while until it's not so heavily used? The answer to all of these questions should a resounding no! If you want to catch more & bigger trout you want to fish water that receives the least amount of fishing pressure. This is especially true in small rivers and streams, but is true in lakes as well.

Now, what about your trout fishing gear? What size is your fishing rod, reel, and line? If you want to know how to catch more trout, one of the ways is to always make sure that you use ultra light rods and reels spooled with light fishing line. Trout live in cold, clear water (most of the time) and are very sensitive to anything "out of the ordinary" in their surroundings. This fact is especially true for larger, more experienced trout.

If you want to catch larger, more experienced trout one of the biggest factors is being on the water at the most opportune times. The best way to make sure you're on the water at the best times is by learning the simple ways that the weather and moon impact fish and trout behavior. If your want to catch more trout learning these simple rules will do as much to help you out as the type of bait or lure you choose to use. Being on the water when the trout are the most active is a HUGE advantage.

The last thing to keep in mind as far as larger, more experienced fish are concerned is your bait. Live bait is a great way to catch large trout, and your bait needs to be presented in the most natural way possible. This means implementing the use of gang hooks. These hooks are a pair of small hooks tied in tandem, which enable live bait (especially live worms) to be presented in a totally natural way. If you want to know how to catch more trout, gang hooks are a big part of the equation.

Begin implementing one or all of these tips as soon as possible, and you will start catching more (and bigger) trout.

Trout Fishing Rigs : 2 Effective Rigs For Trout Fishing

2011-05-06T07:11:00.000-06:00

There is little doubt that one of the most important aspects of trout fishing are the trout fishing rigs that are used when fishing for trout. You may not be familiar with the term "trout fishing rigs" but a trout fishing rig is simply a way to rig bait for trout fishing. Sure some people simply tie a hook onto their line or attach a snap swivel to their line, clip on a snelled hook onto the swivel and call it good. While both of these manners of presenting trout bait might technically be trout fishing rigs they are by no means the most effective rigs that can be employed while fishing for trout.

In this article I will outline two very effective trout fishing rigs, one for use in rivers and streams and one for use in lakes, so that you can begin to catch more trout while fishing for trout. I have been fishing for trout for more than two decades and have learned and tweaked these rigs during that time to make them quite effective. The biggest factor to the success of any trout fishing technique or rig is the amount of time that you spend on the water putting said technique or rig into action. The bottom line is that the more time you spend putting these trout fishing rigs into action on the water the better they will perform for you.

With that being said let's begin with the fishing rig that should be used in lakes. This rig is a basic bottom fishing rig that consists of a small treble hook (size #12 or #18), a small barrel swivel (size #12 or #14), a ¼ to ½ ounce egg sinker, and a 12 to 24 inch leader. The first thing that you want to do is cut a 12 to 24 inch length of line from the end of your line for a leader and set this 'leader' aside. Now slip the egg sinker onto the end of your line and tie on a barrel swivel (the swivel will act as a stopper for the sinker). If the weather is windy you will need to use a larger sinker, but a ¼ ounce egg sinker is the perfect size for this rig. Now the leader is tied to the opposite end of the barrel swivel and a treble hook to the end of the leader. The treble hook is now covered with Powerbait or similar dough style trout bait. The key is that the trout dough bait that you use floats. This rig is now cast into a lake containing trout, and the bail of the reel is left open until the rig sinks to the bottom, at which point the bail of your reel is closed. Your line is now retrieved slowly until it is completely taught and the rig is "still fished" until a trout begins to bite. The trout bait will be floating off of the bottom, while the sinker sits on the bottom. When a trout bites it feels no resistance from the sinker, thus making the hook set much more effective.

The second of the trout fishing rigs that I'm going to outline is for trout fishing in river fishing scenarios. This trout fishing rig is called a drift fishing rig and involves the use of a set of gang hooks (size 8 or 10), a small barrel swivel (size #12 or #14), and some split shot sinkers to add weight to the rig. A swivel is tied to the end of your line and a set of gang hooks is tied to the opposite end of the barrel swivel. Split shot sinkers are added to the line above the barrel swivel for weight. The size and number of split shot will vary depending an river depth and current flow, but the goal is to have your bait bounce or "roll" along the bottom of the river as it flows naturally with the current. The hooks on the set of gang hooks are now baited with the live bait of your choice and the rig is "drift" fished in the current of the river. Live worms are an excellent trout bait choice for this trout fishing rig.

The bottom line is that these two fishing rigs are extremely effective and should be added to any serious trout fisherman's repertoire sooner rather than later.

The Best Ways To Catch Trout In The Spring

2011-05-03T10:22:00.000-06:00

For anglers the spring means one thing; that it's time to hit the water again after nature's yearly fishing sabbatical known as winter. Nowhere is this fact more true than with trout fishermen, as catching trout in the winter (unless you are fishing through a hole in the ice) can be difficult to say the least. The spring and 'trout fishing' go together like a hand and a glove, and in this article I will outline a few of the best ways to catch trout in the spring of the year.

There are two main types of water in which trout are found, lakes and rivers, and rivers can be difficult to catch trout in during the spring due to mountain run-off and/or spring rains. So when it comes to river fishing for trout in the spring of the year the early spring is normally the most productive time.

With that being said, as long as you attempt to catch trout in rivers during the early spring before the rivers become high and muddy, rivers can be a great place to catch trout during the spring. Drift fishing a live worm or an in line spinner can be a very effective way to catch hungry trout before the rivers become "blown out" and become all but un-fishable.

By fishing for trout in a lake or pond you virtually eliminate having to deal with high, muddy water yet still have the opportunity to catch trout when fishing in the spring. There are many ways to fish for trout in a lake or pond and two of the more effective ways are fishing with flies and fishing with Powerbait. Fishing with flies is accomplished one of two ways. By fly fishing in the traditional sense or if you aren't a "fly fisherman" by fishing with casting bubbles. Seeing as how I am not a "fly fisherman" and opt to use traditional spin fishing gear when fishing for trout, fishing with casting bubbles, or more to the point fishing with a casting bubble is the way I go about fishing with flies in the spring of the year. If you do "fly fish" then this is obviously the best way to fish with flies. The bottom line is that flies are effective when used as bait for trout in lakes during the spring of the year, no matter how you go about "fishing" with them.

The other great way to catch trout during the spring of the year in lakes and ponds is by fishing with Powerbait or similar dough style trout bait. This is usually accomplished by fishing a simple bottom fishing rig that is baited with dough bait. By "still" fishing with Powerbait the bait has time to disperse its scents into the water and attract hungry trout, thus making it a very effective springtime trout fishing technique.

Either of these two methods are very effective ways to catch trout during the spring of the year, especially when the rivers and streams are un-fishable due to high and muddy water conditions.

How To Catch Trout - Tips For Fishing With Powerbait

2011-05-01T07:40:00.000-06:00

If you want to know how to catch trout you need to familiarize yourself with something known as "Powerbait". Powerbait is a synthetic trout bait manufactured by the fishing company Berkley and is one of the best trout baits that can be used when you are trying to catch trout that have been stocked. If you have a local lake that contains trout, it has more than likely been stocked with trout by your local fish and game department or conservation agency. Fishing with Powerbait on your local lake is something that many anglers engage in and in this article I will outline a few tips that will help you learn how to catch these trout.

Powerbait is a dough bait that comes in a variety of colors and fishing with Powerbait isn't at all difficult. As a matter of fact fishing with Powerbait is actually quite easy and if the simple tips in this article are implemented, this unique trout bait is quite effective as well. Many trout fishermen wonder what the best color of Powerbait is to use and in my twenty plus years of experience I've found that there is no single answer to this question. The bottom line is that you never know what color will be best on a given day, so having a few choices available for experimentation is a key to success. Try one color for thirty minutes to an hour and if you receive no bites, switch to another color. One thing that I have found to be true as far as the color of Powerbait goes is that one color tends to outperform all other colors on specific days, so try different colors until you find the one that is working on the day that you are fishing.

Another thing to keep in mind when you are learning how to catch trout using this unique trout bait is when you are on the water fishing. Being on the water when the trout are the most active, and thus the most apt to be feeding, means that you will experience more success. The best way to figure out when the trout will be the most active is by learning the simple ways that the weather and moon impact fish and thus fishing. By paying attention to the weather and moon and planning your fishing trip accordingly you will be fishing when the trout are the most active and will thus have a better day fishing.

The next tip to use when fishing with powerbait is to use the proper amount of bait and to keep as much human scent off of said bait as possible. The easiest way to accomplish this task is to use a Powerbait press of some sort. By using a Powerbait press you don't actually touch the bait with your fingers, thus keeping any "human scent" off of it. The press produces the perfect amount of Powerbait to fit around the hook as well, so very little bait is wasted.

The bottom line is that if you want to know how to catch trout these simple tips for fishing with Powerbait will make you much more successful. They have been helping me catch trout for more than two decades and I know they will do the same for you.

Worm Fishing For Trout - Keys To Trout Fishing With Worms

2011-04-26T16:11:00.000-06:00

As the weather begins to 'break' many anglers start to focus their attention on trout fishing and one of the best ways to catch these beautiful fish is to go worm fishing for them. I having been worm fishing for trout for more than twenty years and in that time have learned some keys to fishing with worms that have enabled me to experience a ton of trout fishing success. In this article I will outline some of the most important keys to success when trout fishing with worms so that you can use this information to your advantage.

The following tips for worm fishing for trout have worked well for me over the years and I know they will do the same for you. Before I get down to the "keys" themselves it's important to point out one mistake that many trout fishermen make that needs to be avoided in all trout fishing scenarios, but especially when you are trout fishing with worms. When fishing for trout you always want to use fishing line that's as light as possible. Many trout fishermen use fishing line that's entirely too heavy and it costs them dearly. Four pound test monofilament is a great place to start when it come to the fishing line that you use for trout fishing.

With that being said, let's get down to the keys to trout fishing with worms, what do you say?

Wash Your Hands - this is something that many anglers overlook when trout fishing. We, as humans, have a "scent" that all fish (and especially trout) can easily detect on any bait or lure that we touch with our fingers. And can you guess what tends to happen if the trout you are attempting to catch can smell the "human scent" on the fishing worm that they are thinking about eating? You guessed it, they tend not to bite the worm. For this reason you always want to make sure that your hands are free on any "human scents" before you touch your fishing worms. This can be accomplished by either washing your hands with odor neutralizing soap or by simply rubbing your hands with dirt or gravel.
Present Your Worm in a Natural Manner - Again, this is something that many trout fishermen tend to overlook when If you enjoy fishing with worms. Rather than just hooking a worm onto a single hook when worm fishing for trout, your fishing worm needs to be presented in the most natural manner possible. This means using a set of gang hooks or similar worm rig that allows a worm to be presented as bait in a natural manner. Your worm appearing to the trout the way that a worm naturally looks makes a huge difference in the number of "bites" you will receive.
Make Sure That Your Worms Are Lively - Dead or dying worms simply aren't very effective when used as bait for fishing, so you always want your worms to be as lively as possible. This means keeping your worms cool and not hooking them in such a way as to kill them. The bottom line is that you want your trout fishing worms to be as lively as possible when fishing for trout.

The aforementioned keys to trout fishing with worms will make you much more successful when fishing with worms for the popular game fish known as the trout.

Catching Trout From Shore

2011-04-21T05:32:00.000-06:00

A favorite activity of many anglers is fishing for trout from the shore of a lake, especially in the spring of the year when rivers can become much too high to fish effectively. Many of these same anglers don't realize some simple techniques that will enable them to catch more trout while fishing from shore. Many times the simplest things are the most effective, and in this case that rule most certainly holds true.

The first thing that needs to be discussed is your gear. You're not using fishing line that's larger than 6 lb. test are you? I certainly hope not. My rule is that for trout, line should be no larger than 6 lb. test. I personally use 4 lb. test, but that's just my preference. The bottom line is that six pound test should be the maximum. Trout have very keen senses, including vision. As your line gets heavier, it becomes much more visible to the trout.

Next is your fishing rod. With what was just said about fishing line, obviously light action rods are the heaviest that should be used for trout fishing. I prefer ultra light, but again, that's a judgment call. The important thing to know is that longer rods are usually a better choice for fishing from the shore. I personally use a six foot six inch ultra light rood for all of my trout fishing from shore, as opposed to a 5 foot ultralight rod for my river fishing. In most situations a longer rod is better for fishing from shore.

Now for the bait. There are many types of bait that can be used while fishing for trout from shore. Some of these would include: worms, marshmallows, salmon eggs, dough baits, cheese, and corn. When fishing for trout from shore, my personal favorite is Powerbait. You see Powerbait floats, so when rigged properly, your offering will be floating off the bottom above any underwater debris. This is a huge advantage to you the angler, plus the fact that I've always said that they must feed trout Powerbait in hatcheries, because stocked trout love the stuff. Seeing as how this is true, Powerbait rigged on a set of pre-tied gang hooks is a deadly combination for catching trout from shore.

Now for rigging up. The first things that you need are some egg sinkers. The size will depend on the conditions. The rule is that you want just enough weight to keep your bait on the bottom, but not too much. In normal wind conditions, start with a 3/8 ounce egg sinker and slip it onto the end of your line. Now tie a small barrel swivel into your line. This barrel swivel acts as a stopper for the egg sinker. If the sinker slips over the swivel, simply attach a small split shot to act as a stopper. Now tie a set of # gang hooks(#8 or #10) onto the other end of the barrel swivel. Now add two balls of Powerbait to each hook. Enough to completely cover the hooks.

You're now rigged up. Cast this rig out into the lake and let it sink. Once it's on bottom, slowly reel in the slack line until it's tight. Now simply wait for the rod tip to start bouncing. If nothing happens within 45 minutes or so, reel in and check your Powerbait. If all is well with your bait, now would be the time to change colors if you so desire, or stay the course. As you begin to get bites, you'll notice why the use of gang hooks is emphasized. Since there are two hooks, you'll hook more fish, it's as simple as that.

Fishing For Trout - 3 Tips Every Trout Angler Needs to Use

2011-04-18T10:38:00.000-06:00

As temperatures rise and the spring really "kicks into gear" many people start to turn their attention to fishing for trout. In this article I will provide you with 3 tips that every trout angler needs to use. I learned these tips from a man that was considered a trout fishing master many years ago in central Pennsylvania, and know I will pass them along to you.

Some of these trout fishing tips may seem over simplistic, but that doesn't make them any less effective. As a matter of fact, my mentor believed in simplicity not only in life, but also in fishing. The truth is that many times the simpler a fishing technique is, the more effective it is. The bottom line is that when fishing for trout, any or all of these tips will make you a much more effective and successful trout angler.

Use Mother Nature To Your Advantage - Trout (as well as all fish) are affected my the forces of Mother Nature, particularly the weather & moon. The truth is that the weather & moon have as much to do with you catching trout as the type of trout bait that you choose to use. Knowing when these two forces of Mother Nature are in your favor, such as during a new moon, will increase your bite rates dramatically. Being on the water when the trout are the most active is a great advantage, and the weather & moon are the keys to being on the water at the best times.
Be As Efficient As Possible - Being efficient when trout fishing is very important, and here's why. The more efficient you are the less time you'll be spending performing mundane tasks like baiting up and re-tying. This time can then be spent with your line in the water where the trout are. Being efficient will make you a much more effective trout angler. Items such as an effective worm carrier, retractors for carrying lightweight gear, and a fishing vest are invaluable to the serious trout fisherman and make anyone a much more efficient angler.
Present Bait Effectively - When fishing for trout it is imperative that your bait is presented effectively. Some people think just threading a worm onto a hook or covering a size six hook with Powerbait is an effective way to fish for trout. Nothing could be farther from the truth, especially when you are dealing with larger, more experienced trout. The best way to present bait effectively is by using gang hooks. Gang hooks are the best way to present bait effectively.

The next time you go out fishing for trout remember these effective tips. They will make you a much better angler. Remember: there's no substitute for spending time on the water practicing your craft, so I suggest you get out there and put these tips into practice.

Trout Fishing Tricks - Proven Tips to Catch More Trout

2011-04-14T06:59:00.000-06:00

For more than 25 years I've been fishing for, and catching, trout all across the United States and in that time, I've learned some trout fishing tricks that have been proven to catch trout. In this article I'm going to reveal these trout fishing tricks so that you can use them as well.

These tips come from experience and from my mentor who taught me how to fish for trout more than 25 years ago. This man was the best trout angler I've ever come across, and taught me a lot. When it comes to trout fishing, never forget that there's no substitute for spending time on the water practicing you craft. All the trout fishing tricks in the world will do little to help you without time spent on the water implementing said tricks.

Shall we get down to business and the proven tips to catch more trout?

Use Mother Nature To Your Advantage - The first trout fishing trick is to use Mother Nature to your advantage, or more specifically the weather and moon. The weather and moon have as much to with trout biting as the type of bait that you choose to use. There are simple rules (such as fishing when the moon is in the full phase) that can be easily learned and implemented to help you catch more trout.
Have Clean Hands - When it comes to trout fishing tricks this is one of the simplest, and most effective. Trout have a very sensitive sense of smell and can easily detect unnatural odors in the water. Our hands carry all kinds of unnatural odors and when we bait up, these odors transfer to our bait or lure. This means that the trout will smell these unnatural odors on out trout bait/lure and will tend not to bite our bait/lure. As trout anglers, we need to make sure are hands are free of any unnatural odors. The trout fishing trick is this: grab a handful of grass or dirt before baiting up, and rub it into your hands. This will effectively "clean" your hands of any unnatural odors.
Use Gang Hooks - Gang hooks are the most effective way to present live bait (especially live worms) in a totally natural manner. Of all of the trout fishing tricks in this article, this might be the most important. Presenting your bait in a natural manner makes all the difference in the world when trout fishing. Especially for larger, more experienced trout.

These trout fishing tricks have been helping me catch more trout for more than 25 years and I know they will do the same for you. Give one or all of them a shot for yourself and find out just how effective these tricks are.

Catching Trout in Spring

2011-04-13T11:43:00.002-06:00

Catching trout in the spring can be a fairly difficult thing to do, especially in river and streams. Catching trout in lakes is pretty much the same at all times of year, but in rivers and streams it can be a bit more difficult. The high water that spring and early summer bring can make catching trout difficult. There are a few things to keep in mind that will make your trout fishing more successful during the spring and early summer.

1) Use A Longer Rod -

When the water is running higher than normal, using a longer fishing rod can make a ton of difference. Using a longer rod enables you to control your bait better and makes it easier to keep you bait near the bottom. When river and stream fishing, I like to bounce my live bait (usually a worm) off the bottom as is flows naturally with the current. In high water keeping my offering on or near the bottom becomes very difficult. With the help of a longer rod, it's much easier to keep my offering where it needs to be. I personally use a five foot ultra light rod normally, but in high water situations I use a six foot six ultra light rod. Using a longer rod in high water situations makes all the difference in the world.

2) Present Your Bait Naturally -

It is very important to present you bait naturally. For example, a worm should look like a worm, not like a "worm ball". The best way to accomplish this is through the use of gang hooks. A set of gang hooks is simply a pair of small hooks tired in tandem. This enables you to present a worm (and other live bait) in a completely natural manner. This will result in more trout, especially in the spring.

3) Eggs Work Best In Spring -

If you plan on using or like to use salmon eggs for bait, the spring is a great time. Many fish spawn in the spring, and this means that trout eat other fishes eggs and thus it's the best time to use eggs as bait. A set of pre-tied gang hooks is also a great way to present eggs. By using gang hooks you're able to present double the bait! Presentation is the key.

4) In Muddy Water Use Brighter Colors -

When the waters muddy, brighter colored lures will normally perform better. This is the time of year to use your whites, fluorescents, and chartreuse colors when it comes to your lures. Muddy water makes it more difficult for the trout to see the offering, so since brighter colors stand out more, they are generally more effective.

These tips & Techniques will help you catch more trout in the spring, especially while river and stream fishing. As far as lakes go, the techniques you normally use should still work. Spring is the best time to use salmon eggs as bait in lakes as well, and don't forget about the gang hooks. Gang hooks work great on bottom rigs for salmon eggs and Powerbait as well.

Fishing a Casting Bubble - Using Casting Bubbles to Fish Flies With Spinning Gear

2011-04-10T07:34:00.000-06:00

Did you realize that its possible to fish with flies without going through the song and dance known affectingly as fly fishing? Well, it is and the way to accomplish this task is through the use of a casting bubble. By using a casting bubble you can fish with flies while using traditional spinning gear. If you have ever wanted to use flies for fishing but don't want to use traditional fly fishing equipment and techniques, this is the answer.

Setting up a casting bubble is quite simple. Your line is simply threaded through the bubble from the narrow end of the bubble stop, and a swivel is attached to the end of your line. In many instances a cinch knot is the best knot to use, but any strong knot will work fine. At this point a seven to ten foot leader is attached to the swivel and a fly to the end of the leader. This is what is known as a casting bubble rig.

Fishing a casting bubble is quite simple as well and best accomplished in slow to non moving water such as a lake or large pool in a river. With practice casting bubbles can be used in river fishing situations, but for the person who is new to fishing a fly in this manner, slow and/or non moving water is best. The biggest key is to retrieve your casing bubble slowly.

Dry and wet flies should be retrieved very slowly as if the bug is drifting towards the shore. A slight twitching motion can be added for added realism. The bubble itself should only make a slight wake when being retrieved. The bubble is not only to aid in casting the rig, but acts as a 'strike' indicator as well much the way a traditional bobber does, so keep an eye on the bubble itself during the retrieve. Submerged flies and streamers should be retrieved with more of a stop & go retrieve, adding a 'pulling' motion as you see fit. These flies have more of a swimming action because of the manner in which they are tied.

The bottom line is that using casting bubbles is the way to fly fish without having to use fly fishing equipment. If you have ever thought about adding flies to your fishing arsenal and are a traditional spin fisherman, casting bubbles are the best way to accomplish this task. Flies are effective bait for many species of fish from bass (both large and small mouth) to of course trout.

The Best Springtime Trout Bait Choices

2011-04-05T05:57:00.000-06:00

As spring officially gets under way and trout fishing also "kicks off" in many areas throughout the United States many fishermen turn their attention to the act of fishing for trout. One of the most important aspects to trout fishing in the springtime are the baits that are employed, as trout tend to be attracted to different types of trout bait during the spring of the year than they might be at other times of the year.

In this article I will draw upon my two decades of trout fishing experience to list the best springtime trout bait choices so that you can make sure you are using the most effective bait for catching trout in the springtime. Are these the only trout bait choices for the spring of the year? Of course not, but all of these baits have been effective for me during the spring and would be a welcomed addition to any serious trout fisherman's repertoire.

Spinner & Worm Rig - A weighted inline spinner with a piece of a worm attached to the hook is an excellent bait for springtime trout. Some trout fishermen even like to remove the treble hook that most inline spinners are equipped with and add a single bait holder hook instead as it makes adding a small piece of worm much easier. Flip the spinner across the current and allow it to drift, while holding your rod tip in the air. When you feel a tug, set the hook. And when using this trout bait in a lake, simply cast the spinner out and retrieve it slowly until you feel a tug.
Powerbait - In many areas the springtime means rivers that are swollen and un-fishable (especially in the late spring) which also means that fishing in a lake is your best option for catching some trout. When fishing for trout in a lake, Powerbait is one of the best springtime trout bait choices. A simple "bottom fishing rig" that has been baited with Powerbait is difficult for hungry trout to resist (especially if those trout have been stocked).
Live Worm & Gang Hook Rig - Although this trout bait choice is effective during all seasons, it nonetheless has to be mentioned among the best springtime trout bait choices. Live worms, whether you are talking about night crawlers or their smaller cousins the red worm, make an excellent trout bait during the spring of the year. A key to success when using live worms as trout bait is to rig them in a natural manner, which is where a set of gang hooks comes into play. The more "natural" your worm looks to the trout, the more effective it will be.
Spoons - Spoons are an excellent choice for springtime trout fishing as long as a few simple rules are adhered to. In the springtime you want your spoons to be no more than an inch long, heavy, and as 'compact' as possible. The more 'compact' the spoon is the more "wobble" it will produce and thus the more attractive the spoon will be to the trout that you are attempting to catch. When fishing spoons for trout, whether you are river fishing or lake fishing, a "stop and start" retrieve is usually most effective.

The bottom line is that all of the trout bait choices are very effective during the spring of the year. If any of them aren't a part of your trout fishing repertoire, they should be added sooner rather than later.

Bait For Trout - 3 of the Best Baits to Use When Trout Fishing

2011-03-29T12:19:00.001-06:00

When it comes to bait for trout there are a myriad of choices available and in this article I will draw upon my two plus decades for trout fishing experience to outline 3 of the best baits to use when trout fishing. Now, are these the only baits that can be used for trout? Of course not, but they are 3 of the most effective baits that I have ever used when fishing for trout, and I know they would be just as effective for anyone. As a matter of fact when I go trout fishing I rarely use any baits other than one of these three choices.

Freshwater trout can be found in two main types of water, lakes or ponds and rivers or streams. I fish for trout almost exclusively in small rivers and/or streams, which is where the baits being outlined in this article are the most effective. The bait that is employed while fishing for trout is somewhat exclusive to the type of water that is being fished, which is why I mention this point. The point is that some types of bait work better in rivers and streams and these same baits aren't nearly as effective when used as bait for trout in ponds and/or rivers.

The bottom line is that the bait that is being outlined below is the most effective when it fished in the flowing waters of a river or stream.

Rooster Tail Spinners - Rooster Tail spinners are quite effective when used as bait for trout in river fishing scenarios. A key to success when using these fishing lures is to make sure that they are very small. The perfect size Rooster Tails for trout fishing are from 1/16 to 1/8 ounce. I've always had more success with dark colors such as greens, browns, and blacks, but as with all fishing lures experimentation is the key to finding the best color pattern for any given day fishing. The point is that Rooster tail spinners are an excellent bait for trout when fishing in rivers.
Live Worms - Live worms, such as red worms or night crawlers, are an excellent bait for trout in river fishing scenarios. One of the keys to success when using live worms as bait for trout is to rig them in the most effective manner possible. This is where gang hooks come into play. These fishing hooks enable you to present a live worm as bait in the most natural manner possible. If large live worms such as night crawlers are being used, pinch them in half before rigging them on the gang hooks. Doing this makes it very difficult for a trout to "steal" your worm.
Power Worms - These synthetic worms look and feel like a rubber worm, but they are impregnated with fish attracting scents that make them hard for hungry trout to resist. Power worms (sometimes called Powerbait trout worms) are rigged and fished in the same manner as live worms, and many trout fishermen say they are even more effective than live worms in many instances. While I have always found power worms to be effective as bait for trout, I have a hard time saying that they "out-fish" live worms.

The bottom line is that if you consider yourself a serious trout fisherman and any of the aforementioned trout baits aren't a part of your fishing arsenal, they should be added sooner rather than later. They are certainly 3 of the best baits that can be used when trout fishing.

Learn all about trout fishing bait in our new e-book!

Trout Fishing 101

2011-03-26T15:29:00.000-06:00

As spring heads into full swing, it can only mean one thing. Springtime means trout fishing. Whether you prefer to fish in lakes that have been stocked with trout or rivers that are home to native trout, there are a few basic things to keep in mind about catching these wonderful and equally beautiful fish. The first and most important thing to keep in mind as far as trout fishing is concerned is your fishing gear.

When I say fishing gear, I'm referring to your fishing rod, fishing reel, and fishing line. For trout fishing in normal situations, nothing heavier than light action rods and reels should be used. I prefer ultra light gear, but nothing heavier than light action is permissible, in my opinion. Trout fishing is a lot more fun and a ton more effective when the proper fishing gear is employed. If you're one of those anglers who use 1 rod and reel for all of your fishing, you need to change this. Using gear that's too heavy for trout fishing will cost you not only bites, but also fish, it's as simple as that. Your fishing reel should be spooled with line no heavier than 6 pound test. I prefer 4 pound test, but 6 pound is the maximum. The first lesson of trout fishing 101 is to have the proper fishing gear.

The second lesson of trout fishing 101 is to use the proper hooks. Yep, I said hooks. It seems as if nothing could be simpler than a fish hook, buy there are certain kinds that should be used. That kind is called gang hooks. Gang hooks are simply 2 small hooks tied in tandem, rather than 1 single hook. Is this simple? Yes it is, but it's also very important. You see, a set of gang hooks enables the angler to present bait in a totally natural manner. They also enable the angler to present twice as much bait when using something like salmon eggs or Powerbait. Both of these aspects are an incredible advantage to the average trout angler.

The third lesson of trout fishing 101 is to become as efficient as possible. The more time that you can spend with your line in the water, the better your chances of catching a fish, it's as simple as that. This means that the more efficient you become, the more time your line spends in the water. Employing things like a bait bag is a great way to become more efficient. A bait bag is simply a small bag that hangs from your vest, which you can carry your bait in. For example, if you fish with live worms, you simply place the worms in the bag and go fishing. A bait bag is the only way to carry them. With the help of a bait bag, you spend less time fumbling around for your worms and have them waiting right there at your fingertips.

These simple tips complete the trout fishing 101 lesson. Begin using them when you go trout fishing and you'll be well on your way to catching fish. Remember what Steven Wright said of us anglers, "There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore looking like an idiot." Hopefully, these tips will help you avoid the 'looking like an idiot' part of that quote.

Best Ways to Catch Trout - Rainbow Trout Fishing Tips

2011-03-23T06:58:00.003-06:00

In this article I'm going to outline a few simple, yet extremely effective rainbow trout fishing tips. Are these the best ways to catch trout? This of course would be up for debate, but I can tell you from experience that for the past twenty plus years of fishing for and catching trout these tips have been the best ways to catch trout for me, and I have to assume they will be the same for you.

When we're talking about rainbow trout it's important to understand a little bit about them. These fish are voracious predators and are very often at the top of the food chain for the river system that they reside. This means that rainbow trout usually aren't that difficult to catch, especially when the proper techniques and equipment is employed. Larger rainbow trout (like most fish species) don't like to expend a ton of energy catching food, so they will find a good ambush spot and tend to sit there and wait for food to come to them. Locating and fishing these area's thoroughly is of the utmost importance when large rainbow trout are the target.

Below I will list the two best ways to catch trout that I've experienced during my twenty five years of trout fishing experience. Each of these techniques is effective and has their time and place when fishing for rainbow trout.

The Rooster Tail Technique - Although various spinners are effective for catching trout my favorite has always been the Rooster Tail. As far as sizes go, you're going to want to have a variety available. Having a couple of rooster tails in sizes ranging from 3/16 to 1/2 ounce is always a good idea. I've always had more success with darker colors such as black, brown, and green. The key is to have a few choices available so that you can experiment to find the most effective. Attach your rooster tail to your line using a piece of line attached to a small barrel swivel. 12 to 18 inches will normally suffice. I like to cast roster tails into pools and deep water runs where it looks like there are good ambush areas such as boulders or fallen trees. It's always a good idea to vary the speed of your retrieve and even 'snap' your rod tip as you reel in. Many times this will trigger a strike.
The Live Worm Technique - Of all the rainbow trout fishing tips that you'll ever get this one may be the best. Live worms are an extremely effective trout bait, especially when rigged on a set of gang-hooks. These hooks allow for the most natural and realistic presentation of a live worm that's possible. Attach the gang hooks to your line by again using a small barrel swivel. Weight is added by using split shot sinkers above the swivel. The same areas of the river will be fished as mentioned above. With this technique you fish much more slowly ant thoroughly though. The goal is to bounce your offering along the bottom as it flows naturally with the current of the water that you're fishing. Many times trout find this technique all but irresistible.

When it comes to rainbow trout fishing tips these are two of the best ways to catch our multi colored friends that you will ever come across. Give one or both of them a shot for yourself and find out exactly what I'm talking about.

Fishing With Worms - Live Worm Fishing Tips For River Fishing

2011-03-18T06:53:00.000-06:00

There may be no better bait to use when river fishing than worms. When I use the term "worms" I'm referring specifically to live fishing worms such as nightcrawlers and/or red worms. And when I use the term "river fishing" I'm referring specifically to river fishing while wading in the river that you are fishing. Wading and fishing in a river containing trout, smallmouth bass, or even walleye is my favorite style of fishing and fishing with worms (specifically live worms) is extremely effective in these situations.

In this article I will draw upon my twenty plus years of experience using live worms as bait and provide a few live worm fishing tips that will help you catch more fish the next time that you go river fishing. These river fishing tips have served me well over the years and helped me catch a lot of fish. I know they will do the same for you.

Have An Effective Worm Carrier - The biggest challenge when fishing with worms while wading in a river is carrying your worms. Worm containers are bulky and unwieldy, making the worms difficult to access on the water. This is why having an effective worm carrier such as a bait bag is so important. By using a bait bag to carry your worms while you are fishing your worms are always at your fingertips waiting to be used. This makes baiting up and re-baiting a cinch. Having am effective worm carrier is of the utmost importance when river fishing with worms.
Use The Proper Worm Rigs - Anytime that you are fishing with worms using the proper worm rigs is of the utmost importance as well. This is where a set of gang hooks come into play. When it come to fishing with worms gang hook worm rigs allow you to present live worms in an outstretched and natural manner, which makes them much more effective when they are being used as bait. This is especially true when river fishing. A live worm rigged on a set of gang hooks and drifted naturally with the current of a river is a very effective fishing technique.
Keep Your Worms Alive - When fishing with worms it is vitally important that your worms be as lively as possible. This means keeping them dark and as cool as possible when you are fishing. A bait bag is great for keeping your live worms "in the dark" and the entire bag can be dipped into the water to keep the worms cool as well. The bottom line is that your worms should be as lively as possible anytime that you fishing with worms.

Keep these simple worm fishing tips in mind the next time you are out river fishing and you will experience much more success, there's no doubt about it. Also, remember to spend as much time on the river as you can, because there is no substitute for practice when it comes to fishing.

Trout Baits - 3 of the Most Popular & Effective Baits For Trout Fishing

2011-03-15T05:39:00.000-06:00

In this article we are going to discuss trout baits, and not just any baits but 3 of the most popular and effective baits for trout fishing. I realize that there are many different kinds of bait that can be used for trout fishing, so how can the list possibly be narrowed down to the 3 best? At the end of the day it probably can't but the three baits that will be outlined certainly have their place among the best baits that can be employed when fishing.

One family of baits that isn't being included on this list is flies. Flies are certainly effective baits for catching trout, but since I have never engaged in or been a fly fisherman, I have no experience with these feathered trout fishing lures. So flies will be omitted from this list of the best baits for trout fishing for lack of personal experience on my part. The baits/lures listed in this article are for use while spin fishing with traditional spin fishing gear.

The following baits are being listed in no particular order and all have their time and place in any serious anglers' arsenal.

Spoons & Spinners - Spoons and spinners are very effective trout fishing baits in many fishing situations. A popular and effective trout spinner would be the Rooster Tail. These lures come in various trout attracting colors and in my experience the smaller the Rooster Tail the better. A very popular and effective spoon for trout fishing would be the Little Cleo. These spoons mimic baitfish very well and easily fool hungry trout in both river and lake fishing situations.
Live Worms - Live worms are especially effective when river fishing. Live worms aren't nearly as effective when fishing for trout in lakes in my experience, but when river fishing live worms can be difficult to beat. A live worm rigged on a set of gang hooks and bounced along the bottom of your favorite river is a great technique. When it comes to catching trout in rivers live worms have to be among the best trout baits of all time.
Manufactured Bait - Manufactured bait can be extremely effective, especially when fishing for stocked trout. The most popular and effective of all the manufactured baits for trout has to be Berkley Powerbait. A small ball of Powerbait (or 2 small balls if you are using gang hooks) rigged on a hook and allowed to float off of the bottom of a lake while still fishing can be a very effective fishing technique when fishing for stocked trout.

The bottom line is that if you consider yourself any kind of serious trout fisherman these 3 baits should be a part of your trout fishing repertoire. And if they aren't, they should be added sooner, rather than later.

Trout Fishing 101 - Basics Of Trout Fishing

2011-03-12T05:02:00.001-07:00

I have fishing for trout for more than twenty years and in that time have learned some basics that I wish I would have known when I embarked on what could be loosely referred to as my trout fishing "career". In this article I will outline some of these basics, kind of a trout fishing 101 class if you will, so that you can be aware of these facts without having to learn them through trial and error. Knowing these ideas and tips when I began fishing for trout would have saved me a ton of valuable fishing time, which is what I hope learning these ideas will do for you.

Lets begin with the gear that you use, and by gear I'm referring specifically to your rod and reel. The size (referred to as the 'action') of your rod and reel are extremely important and many people make the mistake of using rods and reels that are entirely too heavy when trout fishing. You should make sure that you use an ultralight action rod and reel. The reason for this is that an ultralight rod and reel enable you to use light fishing line effectively, which is the next lesson in our trout fishing 101 class.

When I started trout fishing, more than twenty years ago as I said, I used fishing line that was much too heavy and it cost me bites until I learned this lesson. As you more than likely know, trout are found in clear to very clear water and as you may not know trout have very keen eyesight. This means that trout can easily see your fishing line if the line is thick, and when the trout see your fishing line they tend not to bite your offering. This means that light fishing line is of the essence when it come to fishing for trout and light line means using monofilament or fluorocarbon fishing line that is from two to six pound test.

The next of the basics of trout fishing that I want to outline is the way in which you carry your fishing tackle on the water. Uninitiated trout anglers simply use a tackle box, but this isn't at all the best way to go about carrying your trout fishing gear, especially seeing as how in many instances fishing for trout is done while wading or otherwise working your way up and down a river. The best and most efficient way to carry your tackle on the water is to use a fishing vest. With a fishing vest you can keep all of your trout lures, hooks, extra line, etc. in small plastic boxes and place the boxes into the pockets of the fishing vest. This way you always know right where all of your trout fishing tackle is because it's hanging on back in your fishing vest. You can even add a worm pouch to your vest to carry your trout bait (such as live worms) while you are fishing.

These simple tips, while definitely the "basics of trout fishing", are all things that will save you a ton of time on the water learning through trial and er or and will make you a much more efficient and effective trout fisherman.

Fishing With Powerbait - 3 Tips for Trout Fishing While Using Powerbait

2011-03-09T06:52:00.000-07:00

Over the past twenty five years I have spent a lot of time trout fishing while using Powerbait and in this article I will outline 3 tips that anyone can use when fishing with powerbait that will enable them to catch more trout. And that's what we want to do when we are fishing for trout right....catch more trout? You bet, well these simple tips will help you just that.

Fishing with Powerbait certainly isn't quantum physics, but there are certain things that can be done to help you experience more success when fishing with this unique type of trout bait. From the trout rigs and fishing hooks that are employed to the time of day and type of weather you are fishing in, certain things can be done to "tip the scales" into your favor. All of these these factors converge to determine what kind of a day you are going to have trout fishing. The bottom line is that if you keep the following 3 tips in mind the next time that you are fishing with powerbait you will experience more trout fishing success.

The Type Of Trout Rigs That You Use - When fishing with Powerbait there are two main types of trout rigs that are used. The gang hook rig, which involves the use of a set of number 10 gang hooks, and the treble hook rig, which involves the use of a number 12 or number 18 treble hook. The key to either of these trout rigs is to use very small fishing hooks and light leaders.
Use A Powerbait Press - You're probably asking yourself, "what is a powerbait press" and why in the world do I need one for fishing with Powerbait?" A Powerbait press is a plastic device that you use while fishing with powerbait to form your bait into the perfect sized ball without having to actually touch the bait. This is important for a few reasons. First of all using a powerbait press keeps any human scents off of your bait, which means that the trout are much less apt to smell something out of the ordinary and pass up your offering. Second it distributes the perfect amount of Powerbait without any waste.
The Weight Of Fishing Line That Is Used - Anytime that you are fishing with powerbait it is vitally important that you use light fishing line. Trout have very sensitive eyesight and are found in very clear water most of the time. For these reason very light fishing line should be used at all times when fishing with Powerbait. No line heavier than six pound test mono-filament should be used and two to four pound test is ideal. If you use fishing line that is too heavy you will get many fewer bites when fishing for trout.

There is no doubt that your trout rigs, the way in which your Powerbait is baited, and the weight of your fishing line are all vitally important anytime that you are fishing with Powerbait. Keep these 3 simple tips in mind the next time that you are on the water and you will experience much more trout fishing success when using Powerbait.

River Fishing Tips - 3 Tips To Remember When River Fishing

2011-03-06T05:47:00.000-07:00

In this article I will outline 3 tips to remember the next time that you go river fishing. Although the term 'river fishing' can mean many things, to me it has always meant wading in and along the river that you are fishing in an attempt to catch fish. To me this is 'river fishing', much like what you think of when you think of "fly fishing", except for the fact that I personally don't fish with flies. I prefer to fish with traditional ultra light spin fishing gear, yet fish in much the same manner that a fly fisherman might. The description above is what I consider river fishing.

While the following fishing tips are particularly effective when fishing in the manner mentioned above, they can also be used effectively in other river fishing scenarios with some minor tweaks. The bottom line is that if you like to fish in the flowing waters that a river provides the following tips will most certainly come in handy and help you catch more fish.

Tread Lightly - When wading in the river that you are fishing an important river fishing tip is to tread lightly. What do I mean by the term 'tread lightly'? I mean that you want to shuffle you feet as little as possible while you are wading. This is especially true when you are within a hundred or so feet of the area you intend to fish. Remember, sound can travel great distances under the water and if weary fish hear anything "out of the ordinary" they are much less apt to bite. This is why you always want to tread lightly when you are wading in a river.
Have A Bait Carrier - One of the best baits to use while river fishing are live worms, and when using live worms on the river having an effective way to carry said worms is of the utmost importance. This is easily one of the best river fishing tips that you will ever receive. A quality bait carrier, such as a JRW bait bag, will save you a ton of valuable fishing time on the water. With a bait bag, baiting up and re-baiting takes seconds, which means you spend more time with your line in the water where the fish are, rather than out of the water while you search for your bait.
Be On The River At The Best Times - No matter what type of river fishing you are doing, being on the river at the best times is of the utmost importance. This can be determined by learning about the weather and moon and the simple ways in which these two natural forces impact fishing. By learning a few simple rules you can always be on the river at the best times for fishing.

These 3 simple river fishing tips will help you experience much more success on your next trip on the river. Add one or all of them to your repertoire sooner rather than later.

Fishing Trout Bait - 3 Tips For Using Powerbait Effectively As Bait For Trout

2011-03-04T05:45:00.000-07:00

When it comes to trout fishing one of the most important aspects is fishing trout bait in the most effective manner. In this article I will outline 3 tips for using one of the most effective trout baits, a bait known as Powerbait. Now I'm not going to make this out to be more than it is. This bait isn't that difficult to fish by any stretch of the imagination, but these 3 tips will certainly help you when fishing this unique trout bait. At the end of the day fishing a bait such as Powerbait is a great way to catch trout, especially stocked trout.

What do I mean by the term stocked trout? Stocked trout, sometimes called planted trout, are trout that are raised by your local fish and game department or local conservation agency and are placed in local lakes and rivers for the express purpose of being caught by anglers. Having trout planted for the express purpose of being caught is neat, but it makes for trout that are much less wary (and thus easier to catch) than trout that have lived in a body of water naturally for a number of years. In any case, stocked trout are very susceptible to being caught when using the trout bait known as Powerbait.

Bottom Rigs Work Best - When using Powerbait it is normally most effective when fished on a bottom rig. There are two different styles of fishing hooks that can be used on your bottom rig; a single treble hook or a set of #10 gang hooks. One of the keys is to completely cover the hook with bait, none of the hook should be visible to the trout. Fishing this type of trout bait should almost always be done while still fishing with a bottom rig.
Use A Dough Bait Press - What is a dough bait press, you ask? A dough bait press is a device that molds your Powerbait into the perfect sized ball for fishing without having to touch the bait itself. This helps to create more surface area for maximum trout bait scent dispersion when using Powerbait and keeps any human scents of off your bait. A dough bait press is a great tool to implement when fishing this type of trout bait
Use Mother Nature - By paying attention to two forces of Mother Nature, particularly the weather and the moon, you can make sure that you are on the water fishing when the trout are the most active. When trout are "active" they are much more likely to be feeding, which means they will easier to catch. You can "use" Mother Nature by learning the simple ways in which the weather and moon impact fish behavior, and then planning your fishing trips accordingly. This is true when trout fishing with Powerbait, but also hold true when you are fishing any form of trout bait.

The aforementioned tips will help you catch more trout the next time that you are fishing the popular trout bait known as "Powerbait", there's no doubt about it.

Trout Fishing With Dough Bait : Should I Use A Bait Press?

2011-03-02T12:59:00.000-07:00

One of the most popular trout baits to employ when trout fishing are dough style baits such as Powerbait and a question that many anglers have is whether or not they should use a dough bait press to mold their bait onto their fishing hook. Well, in this article I will draw upon my twenty plus years of trout fishing experience to try to answer the question of whether or not you should use a dough bait press when fishing for trout.

It's important to point out the best manner in which this style of bait is used to catch trout. In almost all trout fishing scenarios this type of bait is used in "still" or bank fishing situations. In other words dough bait is most effective when fished on some manifestation of a bottom rig while you are still fishing in a lake or pond that has been stocked with trout. For the most part, this style of trout bait isn't nearly as effective when used in flowing water scenarios like in a river.

As I said trout fishing with dough bait is most successful in "still fishing" scenarios while using a bottom fishing rig, and the biggest key to the bottom rig when trout fishing with this unique bait is the size of hook that is used. There are three styles of fishing hooks that are best for fishing with dough style baits: a #10 or #12 salmon egg hook, a #12 or #18 treble hook, or a set of #10 gang hooks. Any of these fishing hook choices are the way to go when making a bottom rig that will be baited with dough bait.

No matter which style of fishing hook you choose to use it seems as if the best way to bait your hook with this style of trout bait is to "dig" a little bit of bait out of the jar and mold it onto your hook. While this obviously works, baiting your fishing hook with dough bait in this manner isn't nearly as effective as it could be by using a dough bait press to mold the bait onto your fishing hook.

What is a dough bait press you ask? This unique piece of fishing gear is made from non stick hard plastic and allows you to scoop the perfect amount of dough bait out of the jar while molding it into the perfect ball around your fishing hook. There are two main benefits of using a bait press; first your fingers are kept clean of smelly trout bait (which is nice) and second human scents from your hands are kept off of the bait as well, which means that more trout will bite your offering.

So, do you need to use a dough bait press when fishing with this style of trout bait? Of course you don't have to, but using one sure makes fishing with dough bait less messy and more effective which means that you will catch more trout.

Trout Fishing - Fishing Guide For Beginning Trout Fishermen

2011-02-28T05:08:00.000-07:00

If you are new to trout fishing there is a lot to learn and getting off on the "right foot" (so to speak) is of the utmost importance. There is a ton of misinformation out there or should I say information that isn't based on real world fishing experience. The bottom line is that if you get your information early on from sources that are less than informed about the subject of attempting to catch trout you will be much less successful than you should be and not enjoy trying to catch trout as much as you should.

I have more than two decades of real world fishing experience fishing for these beautiful fish from the mountains of Pennsylvania, to southern Alaska, and back to the heart of Northwest Montana. During my time fishing for trout I have learned some trout fishing tips that will help any beginning trout fisherman not only have a more enjoyable experience when attempting to catch trout, but also have a more success experience as well.

I will use this article as a "guide" of sorts to help you to get off on the right foot in your "career" fishing for trout. Okay, I know fishing for trout isn't your "career" but nonetheless these simple trout fishing tips will save you time, help you be more balanced as an angler, and most of all help you catch more trout. The following tips are being listed in no particular order and are all of equal importance in my experience.

Always Use Light Line - Many beginning trout fishermen tend to use fishing line that's much too heavy when fishing for trout. You should have a fishing rod and reel that are used exclusively for attempting to catch these fish, and the reel on your setup should be spooled with either four or six pound test monofilament line. Some trout fishermen even use line as light as two pound test, although I do not suggest fishing line this light for a beginner. I suggest starting with six pound test and "graduating" to four pound test once you feel comfortable using and tying knots in six pound test.
Learn A Basic Fishing Knot or Three - When it comes to trout fishing tips one of the most overlooked area's is the area of knots. As a beginner you must know a quality knot or three for attaching lures, swivels, and hooks to your line in a strong and effective manner. A few of the most popular and easy to tie fishing knots for trout fishing would include the improved clinch knot, the perfection loop, and the uni-knot. Learn at least one of these knots and you will be much better off as a trout fisherman.
Use Small Fishing Hooks - Many angler, especially beginners, tend to use hooks that are entirely too large when fishing for trout. If you are using treble hooks and using Powerbait, size #12 or #18 should be used. If you are using tradition fishing hooks or gang hooks, size # 8, #10, or even #12 should be used. The bottom line is that when trout fishing small fishing hooks are definitely in order.

These simple trout fishing tips will serve you well as you embark on your trout fishing "career". Remember, the most important thing that you can do as a beginner is spend as much time on the water fishing for trout as you can. There is simply no substitute for experience when it comes to the wonderful world of fishing for trout.

Trout Fishing 101 - Why Light Line is So Important When Fishing For Trout

2011-02-26T04:42:00.000-07:00

I've been fishing for trout for more than two decades and have met many trout fishermen in that time. All too often I notice that trout fishermen are using fishing line that's entirely too heavy for trout fishing. This is not only a pet peeve of mine; it is also a big reason why trout fishermen don't catch trout. Using light line should be one of the first things that are learned by trout fishermen, a class called trout fishing 101, if you will.

In the past two decades I've learned that one of the biggest factors in fishing for trout is the weight of your fishing line. This is true for two reasons. Number one trout have very keen eyesight and can detect your line under the water if it's too heavy. Number two trout are found in cold, clear water most of the time, which makes your line that much easier for the trout to see under the water.

For these reasons light line should always be employed when trout fishing. I personally use and suggest four pound test monofilament. My favorite name brand is Stren Original in the clear/blue color. This line is invisible under the water, but visible to the angler out of the water. Being visible out of the water is key in my favorite trout fishing technique. Six pound test is passable, especially for beginning trout anglers, but any line heavier than six pound test should be avoided. Some trout fishermen use two pound test monofilament, which is effective, but difficult to tie knots with. The bottom line is that four pound test is the perfect light line for trout fishing.

Depending on your favorite trout fishing technique, the name brand of your fishing line isn't all that important. Any well known name brand fishing line should suffice, but I've always found Stren monofilament to be perfect for trout fishing.

Here's a real world example of how the weight of your fishing line effects whether or not trout will bite your offering. My favorite trout fishing technique is to use live worms rigged on a set of gang hooks. One day I was fishing in my favorite trout river with live worms rigged on gang hooks tied on six pound test line and having very little success. I had caught a few small trout, but that was about it. I ran out of pre-tied gang hooks and was going to call it a day, when I decided to tie myself a set of gang hooks on the river using four pound test, just to see if it would make a difference. I almost immediately hooked and landed a 16 inch rainbow. Then five or so minutes later landed an eighteen inch rainbow.

That little experiment proved to me that light line is extremely important when fishing for trout. Use this little trout fishing lesson to help you catch more trout on your next fishing excursion. Using light line is important when fishing for these multi colored beauties.

Trout Fishing 101 - Basics Of Trout Fishing

2011-02-24T04:38:00.000-07:00

River Fishing Tips : Drifting Fishing For Trout

2011-02-22T06:13:00.001-07:00

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.

Ice Fishing For Trout - Effective Strategies for Trout Fishing Through a Hole in The Ice

2011-02-19T06:17:00.000-07:00

During the months of December through March the most effective way to catch a trout is to head out onto a lake to go ice fishing for trout. Trout can be caught in rivers during these months, but it becomes much more difficult than at other times of the year. So for many anglers that want to fish during the winter months, if you want to catch a trout the only way to do it is to go ice fishing for trout. In this article I will discuss a couple of effective strategies to implement the next time that you head out onto the ice with the intent of catching a few trout.

The first thing to keep in mind no matter what strategy you are going to employ is that under the ice, trout are much more active during the changing light conditions that occur during the early mornings and late evenings than they are at other times of the day. This means that you need to be on the ice early in the morning and or late into the evening if your want to be on the ice when the trout are the most active and thus the most apt to be feeding.

Many people who go fishing for trout under the ice fish in water that is much deeper than they should. This was a mistake that I used to be notorious for making when trout fishing through a hole in the ice. The truth is that many times trout, and many times large trout are caught in very shallow water when ice fishing. This means fishing the shorelines and drilling holes in water that is from two to four feet deep. This shallow water ice fishing strategy is very effective when fishing for trout through the ice, but means that being quiet is extremely important to the angler that is fishing. Ice fishing in shallow water means that you are very close to the trout you are fishing for and those trout can "spook" easily. So being as quiet as possible on the ice is paramount when employing this strategy.

Another effective thing to do when ice fishing for trout is not to neglect fishing with Powerbait. If you fish for trout during other seasons you undoubtedly know how productive fishing with Powerbait can be. Well, although many anglers don't use it when trout fishing under the ice, fishing with Powerbait is an effective strategy to use when ice fishing for trout. Powerbait can be used by itself on a small treble hook or can be used to "tip" a jig, but the bottom line is that fishing with Powerbait works even when you are fishing under the ice.

These simple strategies will help you to experience more success the next time that you head out onto the ice in search of trout. Add on or all of them to your fishing arsenal sooner, rather than later and you will experience much more ice fishing success when fishing for trout through a hole in the ice.

Rainbow Trout Bait : The Best Baits To Use To Catch Rainbow Trout

2011-02-17T05:44:00.000-07:00

You may be thinking to yourself, "what type of trout?" and to that question I would answer, "yes, the type of trout that you are fishing for is of the utmost importance." Technically a rainbow trout may be a rainbow trout, but in truth there are two types of rainbows available in most areas. Trout that have been stocked and trout that are native to the body of water that they are found in. The reason that this is important is because the two different types of trout tend to eat very different things and thus different trout baits tend to be more or less effective depending on the type of trout (stocked or native) that is being fished for.

With that being said, I will outline which of the following baits are most effective and the type of trout that is most likely to eat each bait. The bottom line is that the following options are among the best baits that can be used when fishing for these beautiful fish.

Insects - Insects are a very effective trout bait, but live insects are extremely difficult to use as trout bait. The obvious alternative to live insects are artificial flies when it comes to mimicking insects. Everyone seems to know that "fly fishing" and "trout fishing" go hand in hand and this is because fly fishing is a very effective way to use artificial flies as bait for trout. For traditional spin fishermen artificial flies can be used as bait for trout by employing something called a casting bubble, but the bottom line is that insects (in the form of an artificial fly) make an excellent bait for catching rainbows. Native trout as opposed to stocked trout are the most susceptible to this type of trout bait.
Worms and Grubs - Live worms and grubs make excellent trout bait when fishing for "rainbows". Live worms and grubs are most effective when fished in the flowing waters of a river or stream containing native trout (or stocked trout that have had a couple of fishing seasons to acclimate to their surroundings) but the bottom line is that worms and grubs also make an excellent bait for these beautiful fish.
Dough Style Baits - Dough style baits include any synthetic trout bait that is sold in a small jar and is molded onto your fishing hook for the express purpose of catching a rainbow trout. The most popular form of dough bait is called "Powerbait" which is a very effective bait for trout. This type of trout bait is fished on a bottom rig in a lake that has been stocked with trout. As you might imagine dough style trout baits are most effective when used for stocked trout and normally don't work at all for native fish.

At the end of the day the aforementioned trout bait choices are certainly among (if not at the top of the list) for the best baits that can be used to catch rainbow trout. If any of them aren't a part of your trout fishing arsenal, they should be added sooner rather than later.

How To Catch Trout - Why Light Line Is So Important To Trout Fishing

2011-02-15T05:27:00.002-07:00

Whether you are just learning how to catch trout or are a trout fishing veteran there is one aspect of trout fishing that I have learned over the past two decades of fishing for trout has a bigger impact on catching trout than any other. That aspect is the weight of your fishing line, and in this article I will do my best to explain why this is the case. Light line is extremely important to being a successful trout fisherman and in my experience is the biggest reason why many people simply don't know how to catch trout.

Although recent developments in fishing line technology have brought fishermen many other types of fishing line, I have always found traditional mono-filament fishing line to be the most effective when it comes to trout fishing. While there are many different colors of mono-filament fishing line available, I prefer to use line that is "clear/blue" in color because this color is visible to the fisherman out of the water, but is invisible to the fish beneath the water. Being able to "see" your fishing line is important with many trout fishing techniques. As far as the weight of the line is concerned no line heavier than six pound test should be used when fishing for trout (in most trout fishing situations). In my experience four pound test is the perfect weight to use when fishing for trout.

If you think that four pound test is too light to catch large trout consider the fact that I regularly hook and land trout in the twenty inch range using four pound test mono-filament. So why is it that using light line is so important when fishing for trout. There are many reasons for this fact with the most important being that light line is much less visible to the trout you are attempting to catch than heavier fishing line. Because trout have very keen eyesight this simple fact means that you will get more bites simply by using lighter fishing line.

I think the best way to illustrate this point is through a real life story. I was trout fishing about six years ago in a river where trout over twenty inches are caught regularly, so I decided to use six pound test fishing line because of the extremely large native trout population. Because of the possibility of catching a really large trout, I figured six pound test was in order. I caught a trout or two a day for about three months when one day I decided to change to four pound test just to see what would happen. Within a half an hour I began catching a trout of two an hour (sometimes more) and this pattern continued for the rest of the season. I went from catching a trout or two a day to a trout or two an hour so from that time on I knew how important light line was to trout fishing.

In order to use light fishing line effectively it's important that you use a quality ultra light rod and reel as well. This will make the line perform as it was designed to perform. I know from experience how important light line is to catching trout, so if you are wondering how to catch trout the truth is that it begins with using light fishing line.

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Trout Rigs : Effective Rigs For Fishing With Powerbait

2011-02-13T06:46:00.001-07:00

During the spring a fish that is targeted quite often in many areas are trout, with an emphasis on rainbow trout. Conservation agencies and fish and game commissions even "stock" local lakes and rivers with trout with the express purpose of being caught by anglers. I have been fishing for (and catching) these trout for many years and one of the most popular ways to catch trout that have been "stocked" is to go fishing with Powerbait.

In this article I will outline a pair of trout rigs that can be used while fishing with Powerbait (mostly in lakes and ponds). Although fishing with Powerbait isn't at all difficult, it becomes much more effective if the small details outlined in this article are adhered to. When it comes to trout figs for fishing with Powerbait (sometimes called Powerbait rigs) it's important to remember two things. Number one you want to use small fishing hooks and number two you want to use light fishing line. Trout have very keen eyesight and if they detect the metal from a fishing hook or can see your fishing line they are much less apt to bite your bait, thus small fishing hooks and light fishing line are in order.

The first of the trout rigs that I'm going to outline is the gang hook rig. The gang hook rig consists of a set of small gang hooks rigged on a basic bottom rig. What makes the gang hook rig unique as far as trout rigs go are the gang hooks themselves. With gang hooks there are two fishing hooks and both hooks are baited with Powerbait, thus effectively "doubling" your chances of getting a bite. Each hook can be baited with a different color Powerbait if you want to give the trout more choices. When it comes to fishing with Powerbait the gang hook rig is the "only way to go" for many trout fishermen.

The second of the trout rigs for fishing with Powerbait that I'm going to outline is the treble rig. For this trout rig a small treble hook (usually size #12 or #18) is tied to a twelve to twenty four inch 'leader' made from the same pound test fishing line that your reel is spooled with. This 'leader' is then attached to a small swivel and the end of your fishing line is tied to the opposite end of the swivel. To bait this rig for fishing with Powerbait a Powerbait press is a great idea. Why? Because it eliminates the "mess" that fishing with Powerbait can cause on your hands and most importantly using a Powerbait press keeps any human scents off of the bait itself, resulting in more bites. The baited rig is then cast out, allowed to sink, and "still" fished.

The bottom line is that when it comes to trout rigs the aforementioned ways of rigging up for fishing with Powerbait are extremely effective ways to employ this unique trout bait. One or both of these trout rigs should be added to you trout fishing repertoire sooner, rather than later.

How To Catch Trout - Tips For Fishing With Powerbait

2011-02-11T04:58:00.001-07:00

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How To Catch Trout - The Most Effective Way of Rigging a Worm for Trout Fishing

2011-02-08T12:12:00.002-07:00

If you want to know how to catch trout there is one bait that should be used above all others in my humble opinion and that bait is a live worm. The most popular types of live worms are night crawlers and red worms (for anyone who doesn't know a red worm is it is basically a small night crawler). My fishing mentor taught me how to catch trout while using live worms as bait more than twenty five years ago and the principles and techniques that he instilled in me have stuck with me to this very day.

There are two important points to consider when using live worms as bait to catch trout and those things are the way in which you go about rigging a worm for trout fishing and the type of water that you fish in. Let's begin with the type of water that you fish in.

When using live worms for trout fishing you want to be fishing in the flowing water of a river or stream. The fishing technique itself is called "drift fishing" and in involves drifting a live worm with the current of the river or stream that you are fishing. This technique is how I learned how to catch trout more than two decades ago and the technique that I continue to use to catch trout to this day. The goal of "drift fishing" with a worm is to have you worm bounce or roll along the bottom of the river or stream as it flows naturally with the current of the river or stream. Although difficult at first, once mastered this technique is a great way to learn how to catch trout.

The next thing to consider when trout fishing with a live worm is the way in which you go about rigging said worm as bait. Many novice or less experienced fishermen will attempt to thread their live worm onto a single hook when fishing, but this is a big mistake. First of all a single hook is no way to go about rigging a worm for fishing because in the "threading" of the worm the worm ends up looking anything but natural and second rigging a worm in this manner leaves a large portion of the worm without a hook in it, thus the trout can easily steal your bait. When rigging a worm for trout fishing you want to use a set of bait rigs, which is simply two small hooks tied in tandem which allow a live worm (or section of a live worm in the case of large worms) to be presented as bait in an outstretched and natural manner. This is the most effective way of rigging a worm for trout fishing.

Whether you are just learning how to catch trout or have been fishing for trout for many years these two factors should be kept in mind when using worms for trout fishing. As I said, these tips have been helping me catch trout for more than twenty years and I know they will do the same for you.

Trout Fishing With Live Bait

2011-02-07T05:21:00.001-07:00

When it comes to trout fishing, whether you are fishing for brook, rainbow, cutthroat, or even brown trout, one of the best baits that can be employed is live bait. Trout fishing with live bait can be very enjoyable and productive, especially if a few simple strategies are adhered to. In this article I will outline and discuss 3 simple strategies that will make your trout fishing much more enjoyable and most of all more productive.

I have been fishing for trout with live bait for more than two decades and know that you will catch more trout using these simple rules/strategies the next time that you go trout fishing with live bait. It's also important to point out that all of these ideas are born from "real world" fishing experience and don't come from someone who just fishes for trout casually. These tips and strategies work and I know that because I personally abide by and use them all every time that I head out onto the water to go in search of trout.

With that being said, let's get down to business, what do you say?

Free Your Hands Of Human Scents - This might sound strange, but it's nonetheless true. Trout have sensitive "noses" and can easily detect human scents of your live bait. If they do, trout are much less apt to bite your offering. This is especially true with larger, more experienced trout and is why you want to make sure that your hands are free of any human scents before handling your live bait. An easy way to accomplish this task is to rub a handful of grass in between your hands before handling your bait. This will effectively eliminate any human scents that might be present on your hands and would therefore transfer to your bait.
Be Efficient - When you are trout fishing with bait there is a good chance that you will be wading in the water that you are fishing. This makes accessing your bait for baiting up and/or re-baiting difficult, so you want to have efficient ways of carrying your live bait with you on the water. One of the easiest to find and most effective live baits that can be used for trout fishing are live worms and the perfect way to carry your live worms on the water is a bait bag. The point is that no matter what type of live bait that you chose to use, find an efficient way to carry and access your trout bait when you are on the water. This saves valuable "fishing" time that is spent baiting up and re-baiting.
Use Small Fishing Hooks - However you choose to rig your live bait when you are trout fishing, make sure that you use small fishing hooks. For example when you are using salmon egg, bait holder, or gang hook style fishing hooks when fishing for trout size 8 or10 fishing hooks are perfect. When using treble hooks stick with size 12 or even 18. The point is that you want your hooks to be as "invisible" as possible to the trout you are attempting to catch, so that the focus of the offering is the bait itself and not the hook (s).

Follow these simple tips and rules the next time that you head out fishing for trout with live bait and you will experience more success. These tips have been working for me for more than twenty years and I know they will do the same for you.

Rainbow Trout Bait - The Best Baits To Use To Catch Rainbow Trout

2011-02-06T06:36:00.001-07:00

When it comes to fishing for trout that are colored like a rainbow, did you ever wonder what the best bait to use was? There are so many trout bait choices available that it can be difficult to determine what the correct bait choice is for a given fishing scenario when fishing for rainbow trout. I have been fishing for rainbow trout for more than twenty years and in that time have discovered that certain baits are more effective than others, depending on what type of trout you are fishing for and what type of water you are fishing for these beautiful fish in.
You may be thinking to yourself, "what type of trout?" and to that question I would answer, "yes, the type of trout that you are fishing for is of the utmost importance." Technically a rainbow trout may be a rainbow trout, but in truth there are two types of rainbows available in most areas. Trout that have been stocked and trout that are native to the body of water that they are found in. The reason that this is important is because the two different types of trout tend to eat very different things and thus different trout baits tend to be more or less effective depending on the type of trout (stocked or native) that is being fished for.
With that being said, I will outline which of the following baits are most effective and the type of trout that is most likely to eat each bait. The bottom line is that the following options are among the best baits that can be used when fishing for these beautiful fish.

Insects - Insects are a very effective trout bait, but live insects are extremely difficult to use as trout bait. The obvious alternative to live insects are artificial flies when it comes to mimicking insects. Everyone seems to know that "fly fishing" and "trout fishing" go hand in hand and this is because fly fishing is a very effective way to use artificial flies as bait for trout. For traditional spin fishermen artificial flies can be used as bait for trout by employing something called a casting bubble, but the bottom line is that insects (in the form of an artificial fly) make an excellent bait for catching rainbows. Native trout as opposed to stocked trout are the most susceptible to this type of trout bait.
Worms and Grubs - Live worms and grubs make excellent trout bait when fishing for "rainbows". Live worms and grubs are most effective when fished in the flowing waters of a river or stream containing native trout (or stocked trout that have had a couple of fishing seasons to acclimate to their surroundings) but the bottom line is that worms and grubs also make an excellent bait for these beautiful fish.
Dough Style Baits - Dough style baits include any synthetic trout bait that is sold in a small jar and is molded onto your fishing hook for the express purpose of catching a rainbow trout. The most popular form of dough bait is called "Powerbait" which is a very effective bait for trout. This type of trout bait is fished on a bottom rig in a lake that has been stocked with trout. As you might imagine dough style trout baits are most effective when used for stocked trout and normally don't work at all for native fish.