Stream Trout Fishing Essentials

Fishing for trout in a clear cool mountain stream is one of the best ways to spend a day outdoors. Surrounded by nature like the explorers of early America heightens the senses, and it is your senses you must rely on to help you catch the elusive stream trout. In addition, doing your homework ahead of time doesn't hurt!

Do Your Homework

Don't be a "sheep" when looking for fish! Just because you see a crowd or you've heard a stream has good fishing, don't assume it's the best spot. A trip down to your local fishery or Department of Game (or even a phone call and internet search) can clue you in to which streams have been regularly stocked with fish. You can also find out which streams are low in trout. Take a minute to look at topographical maps of the area you are planning to fish. There may be multiple streams in the area you can try if your first choice doesn't suit you. Use your head, and go fishing where the fish are!

Open Your Eyes

Carefully observe stream and banks for insects and larvae. If you see lots of flying insects landing on the water, you know it is a great time to try the dry fly fishing technique. In dry fly fishing the bait imitates real flies landing on the water. On the other hand, if you do not see any flying insects, dig around the banks a bit and turn over a few rocks in shallow water to look for insect larvae. These are most likely what the trout is after, and you can use the ones you find for bait.

Spot Cover & Riffle-Run-Pool

Stream trout love to lurk under logs, small natural dams, and undercut banks where the water is slow and insects are plentiful. Look for these water features and try dry flies or wet flies depending on the presence of flying insects.

Streams generally move in a riffle-run-pool pattern. The "riffle" is a shallow area in the stream with fast current. Small trout, sometimes called "troutlet," are found in riffles during the day. Larger trout are found in riffles during the mornings and evenings. The "run" is an area of moderate current and deeper water. This is one of the best places to find trout any time of day. The largest trout are generally found in the "pools", which are the deepest, slowest moving parts of the stream. Large trout generally rest in pools during the middle of the day, but they will not be near the surface.

Be Quiet

Wading into streams can to get close to where trout are hiding is a great technique, but be careful not to make noise or splash. This can scare away the trout. Trout are also sensitive to the movements of shadows, so take note of where the sun is and try to move so that your shadow is behind you.

Small Fish, Big Adventure

As the saying goes, "the smaller the stream, the smaller the trout." Monster trout can't make it through the shallow riffles, thus you want to choose an ultralight combo rod, reel, and line for the smaller trout you will find in these streams. Nevertheless, fishing for small fish can be a big adventure! The small trout can be feisty and elusive, not to mention the small secluded streams you will be fishing are some of the most beautiful and peaceful places on earth. Fishing is so much more than just catching fish.

About this Author

Jimmy Kingsley is a trout fishing enthusiast. For more great information on stream trout fishing [http://troutfishingmanual.com/river-trout-fishing/], visit TroutFishingManual.com [http://troutfishingmanual.com].

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