Productive Trout Fishing Streams

Finding trout in a stream is simply a matter of paying attention to the details of the stream your fishing.
Some of the areas we need to look at are cover and consealment, availability and types of food, areas that
provide the most oxygen. Even though they are living in water, they still need oxygen to live. Trout use
gills to filter the oxygen from the water, so it is natural for them to seek locations near fast moving water,
or below waterfalls where the water is highly oxygenated with air bubbles. The pools that are formed along
the edges of the rapids provide calm water where the trout can easily watch for food to come along. Large
boulders in the river block the current of the rapids and form calm pools as well, and trout find these areas
irresistible.

Availabilty and types of food are of primary concern when evaluating the trout population. Because food is a
necessity, trout spend a good part of their time in search of it. You can often find trout along the river’s
edge, under willows, structures or trees, where bugs and insects might fall in the water. Trout can often be
seen leaping from the water after bugs or flies that have landed on the surface, usually in the morning or
evening hours. These are prime fly fishing locations. Where willows, reeds and other vegetation grow in the river,
there are also bugs and worms residing, and because trout are partial to this diet, your river trout fishing
adventure should include these areas.



Reading the Stream

Submerged items, such as rocks, docks, logs, old bridges and bushes provide trout with great cover, and are
always popular places to find them. Often the hungry fish are waiting to attack something for a meal, and can
be caught with some planning. Survey the area, looking for obvious spots a trout would like, being aware of
how they may move from one location to another depending on time of day, temperature, availability of food
and air. Trout also target bends in rivers, so where the outside edge cuts under the bank, trout probably will
be there waiting for their next meal. The best lure or bait for this type of trout fishing depends on the type
of trout you are fishing for, and the situation at hand. If what you try is not getting results, try something
different. But be prepared, because often the pace of river fishing is very fast compared to lakes or other
waters that are still. Have a wide variety of lures, bait or flies to experiment with.

Some Other Considerations

Wearing dull clothing, preferably green or blue, and moving slowly and away from the edge will improve your chances
of not alerting the trout to your presence. Be sure your equipment is ready to perform for you. Fresh, clean line,
a well-oiled reel, flies and lures in good condition and baits that are active and fresh, are important to your
success. Trout fishing in a quick river can be a real challenge, but the rewards can be even better.

What to use

Catching a large trout is a dream for many anglers. Fly fishing is exactly what many find the most thrilling river
fishing adventure of all. While relaxing at one moment, and lost in the solitude of the surroundings, fly fishing
can be the ultimate experience that many find too hard to resist. There is a huge selection of lines for fly fishing,
but a good choice for trout fishing in most rivers is a double taper dry line. This line is slightly stiff, which
will help it easily glide through the rod guides, and not tangle so readily. Whether to use dry or wet flies is solved
by observation. If you see trout splashing on top of the water, then they are feeding on the surface, so you want the
dry fly. When you aren’t seeing any rises, then a wet fly is called for.

Casting

River fishing takes practice to master. In fly fishing, the most important element of the cast is the back cast. It
is the basis for the stroke which allows the line to shoot forward again. Take care not to over cast, but instead
allow plenty of time for the line to completely feed out behind you. If it is windy, you may want to utilize a roll
cast, so the line doesn’t hit the end of the rod. A valuable technique to use in the wind, roll casting might help if
making a good back cast is too difficult with the conditions. To roll cast, tilt the rod a little from your body, and
then lift your hand up, bringing the rod tip up to the one o’clock position. Keep the line behind the rod, so that it
forms an arc. Now you snap the rod forward and backward, stopping suddenly when you get to the 9:30 position. This
quick forward move will roll the line out in front of you, straightening it as it goes.

Changing the directions of the cast can be accomplished with a false cast. This is a common method for trout fishing.
A false cast is done by combining a pick-up and a lay-down cast without the line ever touching the water. Practicing
different methods of casting gives you choices and options when you hit the river. Casting on an angle across the river
is the smartest practice. In this way, only your fly will pass over the trout, as opposed to both the line and fly if
you cast directly upstream from your location. This very well may scare the fish and discourage a strike. Whatever
style you prefer for your individual fishing experience, be sure to keep your lines cleaned frequently. They will
perform better for you and last longer.


Summary




River trout fishing can be fun and productive when we consider the elements required for a healthy trout population
in the streams we like to fish. Spending a little time outdoors we can discover those areas that allow trout to thrive,
giving us the best chances for a successfull day fishing.