Trout is the name given to several species of freshwater fish that belong to the Salmonidae family. This fish comes in different forms, such as brown trout, rainbow trout, and Atlantic salmon, which are all pure breeds.
Hybrids, from the crossbreeding of these pure breeds, are also known as “Tiger Trout.” They usually have unique characteristics from each of their pure parent breed. As an angler, you must know the tricks you can use in trout fishing to catch a generous amount. And luckily, we will discuss some of them here. So, ensure to read till the end of this article for the insightful information we have for you.
History of Trout and Location
Trout fishes are naturally distributed in northern Asia, Europe, and America. These unique fish species were introduced to Australia in the 1800s from England and New Zealand. But they are now one of the most common types of fish found in freshwater in Australia, which makes it harder to identify species of these fish distinctly.
You can find these fish in lakes and rivers (freshwater). They are called different names depending on where you find them. It’s called wild fish when found in rivers and stocked fish in lakes. There are different ways to get trout. They can either be domestically bred in a hatchery or obtained in the wild. The requirements for optimal growth and development of this fish are clean, oxygenated water in a cool environment.
In lakes, you’ll find trout fish about three meters below water level since trout need a cool environment to live in, especially during hot months, feeding on smaller insects, especially in the mornings and evenings.
If you’re going fishing during the day, you’ll find them in deep water to regulate their bodies from the heat. During unfavorable weather conditions, the trout fish can be naturally bred in a hatchery before being transferred into fishing holes to provide fishing opportunities for anglers. This practice is especially common in the US.
Expert Tips for Trout Fishing in Rivers
If you’re a beginner at fishing, you must take these steps to ensure increased fishing yield.
- Leave very early or late.
As mentioned, trout fish come out to feed early in the morning, around dawn, and are found in large amounts in shallow water during feeding times. If you can’t wake up early enough to fish, you can go later in the evening as they have the same feeding habit during this time.
- Don’t go into the water
You don’t want to scare the fish away, as they will be near the shore in the shallow water. Instead, be careful and patient, and you’ll catch much fish in no time.
- Pick a strategy
There are different ways you can entice the fish, regardless of what method you use—whether fly fishing, live baits, or hooks—ensure you stick to only one method. This is because the fish can notice any disturbance, so if you want to do it stealthily, changing fly patterns in short periods will scare the fish.
- Mirror their actions
Sometimes, it can be hard to spot what trouts like to eat. So, if you are using a form of insect bait and it isn’t working, find out and capture what they’re eating so you can use it to entice the fish. If you’ve caught a few fish but aren’t getting any more, you can check the stomach of the fish you’ve captured to see what it ate, and if it’s still intact, you can use that as a lure.
- Use the wind to your advantage
Many anglers dislike heavy winds when they fish, but it could be your winning strategy, especially since you’re fishing closer to the shoreline. How? The wind can quickly cover up ripples made when you draw out a trout from the water. This means you can fish unnoticed, as it doesn’t disturb their natural environment.
- Don’t flash your torch in the water
If you’re not able to go during the day, take a flashlight with you so you can see your way to the lake or river. However, do not flash the light in the water since it would seem foreign and make the fish run for cover.
- Know when your strategy isn’t working
If you’re sure there are trout in the water you’ve visited, but you can’t seem to catch any, wait it out for some time. If you’ve still not gotten anything, vary your options and mix things up till you’re successful.
- Only catch what you need
If you’re sure you won’t consume as much fish as you intend to, consider the environmental effects of waste and take only what you need. It would be a shame to get a swarm of fish only to end up rotten.
- Pack on time
If you’re leaving in the morning, it will make more sense to create a list of all the equipment you’ll need so you can keep it organized. Lack of planning only means things could go wrong, and you don’t want to return home devastated because you forgot something.
- Keep warm
The last thing you want to catch is a cold. Wear a warm jacket to protect you from the cold, especially if you’re leaving at night.
Types of lures and baits used in trout fishing
Contrary to their appearance, trout species are extremely aggressive and considerably higher up the food chain. They have a healthy variety in their diet that includes insects, baby fish of their species, mice that decide to take a swim, and toads. However, their environment and time of year also greatly influence their diet.
Anglers who want to be successful with their cash wisely spot what these fish are eating at the time so they can use that knowledge to catch the fish. Since there are various options, it can be downright confusing to know which bait or lure to choose. Here are some popular types used for catching trout.
- Live bait
Live bait in the form of worms is the oldest and most effective way of catching fish. All you need is a sinker and the worm attached to the hook. If it’s an active feeding season, trout can barely resist wriggling food. Other insects, like grasshoppers, can also serve effectively, especially in drier environments.
- Dead bait
These are real fish that are small and shiny and are used as bait for trout. Because of their bright colors, they can easily attract the target fish. If you don’t have dead bait, you can buy them in packs and keep them in your freezer. Only bring them out when you’re going fishing.
- Artificial Trout Baits
Artificial baits are not a bad choice when it comes to trout fishing. Many artificial baits have super-bright colors that make it easy for the fish to find them. Some other baits like these are scented, so it’s a sure way of luring these fish.
- Dough bait
Dough baits are similar to live baits but without the ick and nausea. These baits are designed to smell, look, and taste nice. They also look like regular prey for trout.
- Lures
Lures are arguably the most popular kinds of fish traps. They are made in different colors, shapes, and materials too. Popular lures include balded lures, metal blades, and Ralala minnows. There are also winged lures if you’re a fan of advanced trolling. There are also artificial lures beneficial for trout feeding, e.g., crankbaits, plus spinners and jigs that mimic their prey.
- How to Cast Lures for Trout
Heavy lures, such as spinners, sink into the lake or river to tempt fish into the deeper waters. If you want to leave the shore and cover deeper areas, this method is productive. Here’s how to cast a lure properly.
- Let the lure sink by itself before using your strength to feel it, especially in lakes.
- Use different retrieval speeds. If your lure is movable, you can make it stop and vibrate to catch the fish’s attention.
- Know what strategy works the best and do more of that.
- Streams usually follow this rule, except that you cast your lure upstream so that you can retrieve your bait with the flow of the water.
- Flies
You might be wondering how these are used to capture fish, but they can be very effective. Fly fishing is a unique technique where artificial flies are made using natural materials to mimic other insects that trout enjoy snacking on.
There are different patterns for making these flies, and depending on the time of year, some are more effective than others. Some flies that are easily made and help to save time include
- Pale morning dun
- Wooly bugger
- Magoo
- Stick caddis
- Golden ribbed hare’s ear
- Royal Wulff
To start fly fishing, you can get a good quality rod, fly line, reel, and tippets that can be used for wet and dry fly fishing. Although making the fly may seem tricky at first, with time and experience, you’ll be a pro at it. Anglers mainly fish for trout using fly fishing as their primary technique and often spend years honing their fly-making skills. You can take lessons online or at any recreational center that offers fishing guides to learn more.
Contrary to what you may think, you don’t need a fly rod for fishing. With your casting gear and bubbles, you should be just fine.
- Rods
Rods are used for fly, bait, and lure fishing and come in different weights and heights depending on the fishing method. One common mistake first-timers make is buying the roof first. The first thing you should do is identify the right line design and weight. Line weights range from 1 (lightweight) to 15 (heavier and ideal for windy weather).
Dangers of bait fishing
Bait fishing is an effective method for catching fish; however, it can be bad for the fish, especially in cases where you are only allowed to catch the fish and put it back in the river or lake. The use of bait can be harmful because fish tend to swallow it when in water, and it can be hard to remove, so they die.
This form of fishing is prohibited in some places to protect and preserve aquatic life. It is allowed in other places where the people fishing are allowed to keep whatever they catch.
Responsible fish handling
If you aim to send it back after capturing it, You want to do your best to minimize the risk of the animal dying to ensure survival. Here are some tips you could try.
- Handle the fish with care, using a knotless rubber net to handle the fish.
- Remove the hooks as humanely as possible, e.g., using pliers.
- If you can, take out the hook with submerged fish in the water.
- To take a picture, you have to act swiftly and with care. Support the fish around the belly area closer to the head with your hands to avoid accidents. Return to the water in seconds.
- To revive the fish, hold it on the water’s surface until the water can get into its gills so it can swim and return to its family of fish.
If you intend to keep it
- Freeze the fish to prevent waste or spoilage.
- Don’t store directly under the sun.
- Wash and cook it thoroughly if you are consuming it to avoid getting sick since some parasites can still be present in the fish if not cooked properly.
PS: You can tell when your fish is completely cooked by using a fork to poke through the thickest part of the fish. If it doesn’t look raw anymore but is thick, your fish is ready to eat.
Respect for regulations
Before you find a body of water to fish in, ensure you’re not breaking any laws. Usually, you need a recreational fishing license to get into standard waters. Depending on the time of year and the number of people, there are limitations to entry. If you go against the rules and regulations of a place, you’ll be made to face the consequences.
Final Note
Fishing for trout as an angler requires knowledge of how trout live and feed to increase your chances of catching them. Depending on the time of day or season, you should always use appropriate strategies.
Don’t make too much noise at the river or lake so you don’t scare the fish. Always find out the fishing regulations at a place before visiting. And if you intend to return the fish to the water, do it gently. Finally, if you must eat it, cook it properly.
