Learning to Read Moving Water

I've mentioned many times how important learning to read a river is when you're looking for a good place trout fish. And a few days ago, I shared a video that my friend Timothy Kusherets made showing you first hand how to look for some of these trout lies on a river.

Timothy has been hard at work making more videos on the subject and today I wanted to share another on dealing with reading rivers and moving currents. There are several terms used by anglers to describe different aspects of moving water including: riffles, slots, seams, pools, eddies, etc.

This next video will help you a better idea of these terms and how to recognize these things when fishing a river or stream.

Fly Fishing Clinic for Kids in N.C.

There's an upcoming fly fishing clinic in Wasynesville, North Carolina for kids 10 -15 years old. The clinic is on March 24, 2009. It's limited to 10 kids so if you're interested, you'll want to register as soon as possible. Cost is $8/kid.

The six hour clinic will introduce kids to the basics of fly fishing including equipment, knots, casting techniques, and more. Following the instruction period, kids will have a chance to fly fish in the Davidson River. Transportation, equipment and materials, including waders, will be provided.

Kids will need to bring a lunch and non-slip shoes. The group will depart from the Waynesville Recreation Center at 9 a.m. and go to the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. The group will return to the Waynesville Recreation Center at 4:30 p.m.

Contact Mike at 456-2030 at the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department for more information.

Elk River in West Virginia Threatened by Treatment Plant

Today one of our readers brought to my attention the fact that the Elk River in West Virginia may be threatened by the building of waste water treatment plant. While it's true that water treatment is important, some fear that such a plant may do more harm than good to the fishery.

If you'd like to voice your opposition to the building of the plant, you can sign an online petition.

For more information, contact the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources.

Sometimes You Just Need Patience

A few days ago, I had the privilege of taking some folks trout fishing who were visiting from Nebraska . We fished at one of my favorite local lakes and although the weather was a beautiful sunny day, the water was still quite cold (39 degrees Fahrenheit) and there was snow on much of the shoreline. Needless to say, these conditions made for a slow fishing day.

But like me, these folks just enjoyed being out on a beautiful lake with good friends and family. We could have come home empty handed and everybody would have still been happy. It was just one of those great days to be on the lake!

Fishing was slow - and we tried different rigs, baits and locations on the lake until we figured out where the trout were feeding and what they wanted. As is often the case, location and time of day turned out to be key factors in catching trout this day.

There is one spot on this particular lake where I've historically had the best luck catching trout, so as usual, we headed there first. But after coming up dry there, we moved to a new location. I've often avoided this other location the lake because it's so rocky and I get tired of losing tackle in it. However, on this particular day, if we wanted to catch trout, this is where we needed to be.

Trout were actively feeding on submerged bugs on and around those rocks. And so tossing our lines there made our offerings more likely to be seen by trout. Trout strikes are often more subtle in winter and so we had to be careful to set the hook, keep our lines tight, and the tip of the rods up to increase our chances of landing fish.

It's a well known fact that many insects and bugs are nocturnal and start emerging around dusk. This is why trout fishing during dusk and night hours can be so productive. And so it was with us. As soon as dusk set in, fishing really started heating up. We were pulling trout one after the other within minutes of casting our lines. And I'm happy to report that we were able to take home a nice stringer full of rainbow trout along with some good fishing memories.

Understanding trout feeding habits and lies can help you catch more trout - even when fishing appears slow and challenging. Good anglers are constantly monitoring the fishing environment throughout the day so they can adjust their tactics as needed. Trout fishing in winter may be challenging in some areas, but it can still be productive if you understand a little bit about trout and their needs.

Reading Rivers for Trout Lies

Trout fishing in rivers can be more challenging than fishing in lakes. While lakes are primarily still bodies of water, rivers are constantly moving. Anybody can get lucky and catch trout once in a while in any body of water ... but successful anglers know how to "read a river" for potential trout lies (i.e, trout hangouts).

Unfortunately, learning to read rivers doesn't happen overnight. It takes practice. The more you do it, the easier it gets. Having an experienced fishing buddy can help speed up the learning curve. But sadly, many anglers don't have the benefit of somebody else's expertise.

However, thanks to modern technology (and the world wide web), now you can learn just about anything. My good friend Timothy Kusherets (author of Steelhead & Salmon Drift-Fishing Secrets) has created a video showing you how to read a river for trout lies. You can view it below.



This is one of those videos worth watching over again until you start to get the hang of trout fishing in rivers.

Big Savings on Fishing Gear

It's a brand new year and that means that many of us are taking advantage of year end sales. Several of the big companies are offering huge savings right now. Be sure to check out the links below to take advantage of the sales currently going on before they end!

22nd Annual Trout Tournament in Florida

The Nassau Sport Fishing Association will host their 22nd Annual Trout Tournament on November 8th, 2008. The entry fee is $120 for per boat.

There will be a captain's meeting on November 7th, 6:30 p.m. at Tiger Point Marina. The trout tournament will begin at 6 a.m. at Fernandina Beach Marina. Following the tournament, there will be an awards dinner at 7 p.m.

For more information about the 22nd Annual Trout Tournament, click here.

Fishing with Spoons

Some anglers aren't comfortable fishing with spoons. They don't know what they're missing!

Last week I took my nephew fishing at our local lake and the trout weren't biting that well. We couldn't get a nibble on worms or powerbait that day to save our life. Sticking to my motto of trying different tactics until I figure out what trout will take .... I reached into my tackle box and pulled out a silver Kastmaster's spoon. I only had one with me, so I tied a different spoon on my nephew's line.

Within minutes trout started hitting those spoons ... and before long, we were taking a nice stringer of trout home!

That day was the first time my nephew (age 12) fished with a spoon - let alone catch a fish with one. He was using a pock-marked, blue-nickle tear drop spoon made by Blue Fox. He was able to entice several trout into striking that spoon that day.

Why do trout strike spoons? There are a couple of reasons. First, when fished properly spoons can mimic a wounded minnow. Trout love an easy meal. Secondly, the light and vibrations emitted by spoons often cause excitement. Trout will sometimes make a defensive strike on a spoon. Either way, spoons are effective in catching trout!

But to be effective, the spoon (like other lures) must be fished properly. Spoons wobble in the water during retrieval. It's important to get the retrieval speed right in order to achieve maximum wobble. If the spoon isn't wobbling, it's useless.

Once a fish strikes the spoon, it's important to keep your line tight when reeling in. Fishing with spoons is a lot different than fishing with bait. Trout normally swallow bait, ensuring that you'll keep the fish on the hook while reeling in.

However, with spoons (and other lures), trout are usually hooked in the lip - which means they can often work themselves ... and slack line will help them do it! Keeping the line tight will help increase your chances of being able to land the fish.

The really fun part of fishing with spoons is that the fish who strike them tend to be a bit more aggressive than those feeding on power bait and worms. This makes the fishing experience more exciting!

Don't be afraid to try a spoon the next time you're trout fishing. The worst that can happen is you lose spoon and don't catch any trout. But the rewards are worth it!

By the way, the world record trout was caught using a spoon!

Try Darker Lures This Fall Trout Season

It's not secret that fishing for trout during the Fall season usually produces great results. However, many anglers don't understand how altering their fishing tactics can help them catch even more trout!

With cooler outdoor and water temps, comes a few other important environmental conditions during the Fall season - which can affect the number of trout you catch. Heavy rains can make the water murky or muddy ... which can affect a trout's ability to see your lure or bait. Overcast days can also affect how your lure or bait look underwater.

One of the unwritten rules of trout fishing is that darker lures tend to work better on overcast days and in murky water. Without going into a long explanation, this has a lot to do with the visual light spectrum and how colors are under water.

In any case try this theory out for yourself. As we get later into the Fall trout season, try fishing darker lures. Try black and gold patterns. Lures with red and copper in them also tend to work well. Chartreuse is another good color during these conditions.

You also might like to try some glow in the dark lures - especially when fishing at night or in very murky water. These lures are effective because they're easier for trout to see under water.

Mepps makes some of the best trout lures available. They sell special trout lure kits containing some of the most effective lures in a single kit. Here are some of the more popular trout lure kits offered by Mepps.

Mepps Killer Hot Trout Kit Mepps' Killer Hot Trout Kit features an assortment of some of the hottest colors in fishing today. Assembled with the stream trout angler in mind, these inline spinners also work well for various panfish species. Hot Trout Kit includes: #0 Aglia Green Platinum #0 Aglia Rainbow Trout #1 Aglia Hot Firetiger #0 Aglia Hot Chartreuse #1 Aglia Hot Pink #1 Aglia Hot Orange

Mepps Killer Trouter Kit Mepps' Killer Trouter Kit includes six inline spinners in three different sizes, ensuring that you've got something in your box that'll entice those wary trout to bite. Trouter Kit includes: #00 Syclops Rainbow Trout #1 Aglia Copper #1 Black Fury Fluorescent #1 XD Silver Body/Silver Blade #0 Aglia Long Rainbow Scale #1 Thunder Bug May Fly

Be sure to share your results here!

Illinois Fall Trout Fishing Season Opens October 18th

Trout anglers in Illinois are anxiously awaiting the 2008 Fall Trout Fishing Season. This year, October 18th, 2008 marks the season opener. Over 30 lakes and ponds will be stocked with trout before the season opener.

It's important to remember that trout may not be taken from these lakes and ponds from October 1st until 5 a.m. on October 18th.

A valid fishing license and inland trout stamp is required for all trout anglers unless they are under the age of 16, blind or disabled, or are an Illinois resident on leave from active duty in the Armed Forces.

For more information on the Illinois fall trout season, contact the IDNR Division of Fisheries at (217) 782-6424.

Fly Fishing Workshop for Trout Anglers in Arizona

The Arizona Fish and Game Department is co-sponsoring a trout fly fishing workshop at Becker Lake for anglers on October 4, 2008.

The 3 and half hour workshop is open to the public and will feature one-on-one instruction on the use of lures and artificial flies to improve angling success. Fly-fishing techniques, proper use of trout lures and presentation, use of casting bubbles with flies and trolling techniques will also be covered. There will be demonstrations on fly tying and methods of cooking and smoking fish.

Bring your own equipment if you have it .... otherwise equipment will be provided for those who don't have any.

There will be a morning session and and afternoon session with each session limited to 20 people. The cost is $10 per person. You must pre-register at the Pinetop Office if you want to participate. For more information, call (928) 367-4281.

Are You Ready for the Fall Trout Season?

In addition to Spring, Fall is traditionally one of the best seasons to catch trout. One of the primary reasons is because several water changes take place which in turn affect trout feeding habits.

First, water temps cool down. Trout prefer cooler water. Cooler water also becomes more oxygenated so trout have plenty of oxygen to breathe. Fall also brings new insects (caddis and mayflies) into the world for trout to feed on.

Together, these things make Fall one of the best trout fishing seasons for anglers everywhere.

If you're a fly fisher in the Pacific Northwest, you might want to focus on the October Caddis. This dry fly represents some of the bigger Fall caddis hatches.

Spin fishers usually do well on a variety of baits including worms, powerbait, and spinners.

While trout fishing generally tends to improve in September, October and November are typically better. Much of this depends on where you live and how early winter sets in.

If you've been frustrated by slow summer fishing, then you don't want to miss the Fall trout season. To help you get ready and get the most out of your fishing efforts, check out the Trout Fishing Tips eBook.

Arizona Legislation Threatens Access to Off Road Fishing Holes

Are you one of those people who likes to trek off the beaten path to your favorite fishing hole? Then you might want to sign the petition that Arizona Off-Roaders is circulating.

It seems that legislators and others are complaining in Maricopa County and parts of Pinal County that off-roaders are stirring up too much dust by riding quads, 4x4's, motorcycles, etc. And they want to restrict or close access to many areas on Arizona State Land.

For those of us who enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, this news is distressing. It's already getting harder and harder and to find good places away from other people to fish, shoot, ride quads, etc. Now the Arizona State Land Department wants to make it even harder!

If you live in Arizona, I urge you to sign the online petition and spread and word. You don't have have to live in Maricopa or Pinal County to care about this issue. Rulings like this have a way of spreading once they pass they pass in one area.

For more information, visit ArizonaOffRoaders.org.

Figuring Out the Right Depth to Fish for Trout

Having trouble figuring out what depth to fish for trout at? It's common knowledge that trout like cool water. This means that when the water's surface gets too hot (like it does in the summer months), trout will head for deeper cooler water.

So if you want to catch them, you'll have to fish deep. But figuring out the right depth can be tricky - and often frustrating!

Remember that trout have a few basic needs. And their primary concern is being comfortable. This means they will gravitate towards water that is within their ideal temperature range (50 - 68 degrees Fahrenheit) and is well oxygenated (so they can breathe). Once these two needs are met, they'll also gravitate to the area that provides a food source.

So when fishing for trout in deep water, you'll want to keep this simple rule in mind: look for water that is cool, oxygenated, and has a food source.

While knowing this information is important, it can still be tricky to figure out at what depth these conditions exist. And the only sure way to know the precise the depth to fish is to use a fish finder (one that gives you depth information).

Without a fish finder, the only other thing you can do is to experiment through trial and error. Knowing what trout need (cool, oxygenated water and a food source) will help you to start fishing the right area (especially if you know the body of water you're fishing well.

Once you've dropped your line in a "likely" area where you hope to find trout, experiment with various depths. The easiest way to do this is to let your line go deep and then wait a few minutes. If you don't get any nibbles, then reel in a little line and wait again. Keep repeating the process until you can find the right depth.

If you still can't figure out the right the depth through the process described above, it you may be in spot where trout aren't. In that case, you need to try again at a new location.

One more trout fishing tip to remember, is that if you're fishing in a lake, trout tend to frequently hang out near the dam when the weather is hot. That's because there is usually deeper cooler water there along with plenty of dissolved oxygen and food sources.

For more tips on catching trout, check out the "Trout Fishing Tips" eBook.

Loose Lines Lose Trout

If you've been fishing a while, you've probably heard the phrase, "Tight Lines" at some point. There's a reason this phrase is so popular. Simply put, loose lines lose fish.

I constantly see inexperienced anglers rest their pole on a rock, chair or stand and ignore the slack line drifting in the water. Unfortunately, chances are high they'll miss subtle nibbles on their line while fish steal their bait.

Another common problem when fishing is thinking you're stuck on the lake or river's bottom and releasing the line to correct the problem. I've lost a couple of fish making this assumption a time or two - especially when fishing from a boat.

Many times, anglers get used to feeling the "take" when a fish is at the other end of their line. But sometimes the pole will bend, and you won't feel the normal "take" (or vibration from nibbles). I've experienced this a lot when fishing from a small row boat on my favorite lake.

When you don't feel the bites at the end of a pole but the pole bends in half, it's natural to think you may have gotten stuck on the bottom rocks. But don't be fooled into making this assumption. Try and reel in the line the first - and if you can reel in line, chances are you're not stuck, and may have a fish on your hook.

One of the tricks used to get line unstuck is to release the bail hoping the loose line will free the obstruction. But if you've hooked a fish, loose line may help him escape. So this is the last thing you'll want to do.

It's very important to keep the line tight when you've hooked a fish. So even if you think the line may be stuck on the bottom of the lake or river, try and reel in first. As long as you can continue to reel in line, you can rest assured that you're not stuck.

You can also try releasing the drag a bit to double check. If there's a fish on the end of your line, you can bet he's trying to swim away and you'll hear it in the reel's drag.

Worst case scenario, you can always release the line later if still certain that your line is stuck - but until then, keep those lines tight! Because lose lines lose trout!

10 Best Trout Flies

Most fly fishers carry a variety of flies with them when fishing for trout. Season, weather, and availability of natural food sources play a role in fly selection on any given day.

But every angler has a few favorites that have proven successful over the years. Game and Fish Magazine has a great article listing 10 of the best trout fishing flies.

According to the article, the best flies that no trout angler should be without include:

• Adams (dry fly)
• Elk Hair Caddis (dry fly)
• Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear (nymph)
• Pheasant Tail
• Muddler Minnow (streamer)
• Clouser Minnow (streamer)
• Griffith's Gnat
• Woolly Bugger
• Partridge Soft Hackles
• Midges and Chironomids

Keep in mind that all these files come in different sizes and colors which you'll want to have on hand for different fishing conditions.

You can read more these flies as well as when and how best to use them by reading the article, "10 Indispensable Trout Flies".

Shop at Bass Pro Trout Flies. 

How to Check if Your Catch is a New Record

Yesterday I received an email from one of our readers wanting to know how to check if his son's catch was a new line class state record. My attempts to reply to the message failed, so I thought I would post the answer here for everybody to read.

But first, let me share the details of the catch. This man and his son were fishing on the Little Red River when they caught a 12 lb (28.25 inch) rainbow trout. The fish was caught on an ultra-light rod rigged with 4 lb test.

While this is a great catch, these folks wanted to know how to tell if this was new line class state record for rainbow trout.

While the IGFA keeps line class records, not all states do. So the first place to check is with your state's fish and game department. If you don't see what you're looking for on their web page, you can call them and ask if they keep line class records.

The other thing to keep in mind is that when you think you might have a potential new record, you'll want to take the fish to the nearest certified weigh station in your area. It's important to have the right folks certify your catch. Otherwise there's no way to really prove that you caught the fish or verify the equipment you were using.

Remember that fish also shrink a bit after they've been out of water and loose weight. This is another good reason to rush to the nearest certified weigh station if you think you have a record catch. You don't want to lose precious ounces!

Free Trout Fishing on Saturday in Reno

If you've ever been wondering how to catch trout, here's your chance to get some free lessons. On Saturday, July 26th , 2008 the Division of Wildlife will be offering a free trout fishing clinic at Mayberry Park in Reno, Nevada. The clinic will start at 8 am and run til noon.

The minimum age to participate is age 10 and pre-registration is required. All anglers age 12 and older will also need to have a valid Nevada Fishing License. Kids under the age 16 will need to have a parent or guardian present.

The clinic is limited to 20 people so be sure to register soon if you're interested. Folks are encouraged to bring their own tackle

For more information about the clinic, you can call the Division of Wildlife at (775) 688-1622.

Also, the Division of Wildlife just released a book called, "How to Fish in Nevada" which covers everything about fishing in Nevada. You pick up a copy for free at any Division of Wildlife office.
While you're there, be sure to also pick up a copy of the book containing fishable water maps.

An Angler's Legacy Lives On

I just wanted to take a moment and apologize for not having posted any new trout fishing tips or information the past few weeks. I've been very busy for caring family members with health issues, one of which recently died.

My grandfather was more like a dad to me than my own dad was (who was distant most of the time). He had been battling lung cancer and heart disease the last couple of years and that battle finally ended two weeks ago. Losing him has been difficult and I've been busy since helping the family stumble through the business side of things and making sure my grandma was cared for.

I was honored with the privilege of writing his obituary and I found that when talking to others about my grandpa, fishing adventures were often remembered. My grandpa was a great fisherman and one of the anglers I learned the most from. Because of his interest in fishing, I was fortunate to have had as many different angling experiences as I did.

Even before Angler's Legacy existed, my grandpa was living the pledge. While many adults get frustrated fishing with kids, my grandpa loved it. There was nothing better to him than helping a kid experience the joy and excitement of catching fish. He loved it so much that it was not uncommon for him to remove a fish he caught from his own hook and put it on one of our poles (after sending us on a quick errand) so we would think we caught it.

Last year I took all of our old fishing photos and put them into a scrapbook. I'm grateful that I was able to share those memories with my grandpa before he died.

I'll never forget those deep sea fishing expeditions on the coast of California nor all of the freshwater fishing we did together. Because of him, I have taught others to fish and continue to do so .... so his legacy lives on.

Having Trouble Catching Trout This Summer?

Many anglers (even experienced ones) have difficulty catching trout during the warmer summer months. This is to be expected since trout are cold blooded and prefer cooler water temperatures. The warmer temperatures get, the more uncomfortable they become. When this happens, their focus changes to survival (finding cooler water) than feeding.

This means you might have to change your fishing tactics a bit in order to catch trout. To begin with, you'll want to avoid fishing during the hottest part of the day (which is usually between 11 am and 3 pm in many places). You'll have your best luck during the early morning or dusk hours (when water temps are cooler and trout are out feeding on or near the water's surface).

You can still catch trout during the middle of the day, but you'll have to fish deep where water temps are cooler. If you're fishing from shore, you'll want to change your rig to a bottom fishing rig. If you're fishing from a boat, a fish finder can be a great help in finding trout. If you're fishing a river or stream, look for shaded riffles and deep pockets of cooler water.

Remember, that trout care more about comfort and survival than feeding. Once their primaries needs are met, they will actively feed.

Understanding these simple facts, will help you catch more trout in summer months. These tips and more, can be found in the Trout Fishing Tips eBook.