Trout Tips

Trout fishing is one of the true great hobbies you can do. Ask any fisherman, the thrill of seeing a trout dash over from his lye and grab you dry fly or nymph on a still river, its truely a sight to behold!

Ive set up this hub page to share with trout fisherman both old and new, some of my top trout tips that help me to success each time im out. I hope you to can use my trout tips, and especially if your a new trout fisherman, can implement them to get good results!

Most of the good trout tips I have learnt have come from fishing alongside good friends, wise fisherman and people I have met on the rivers and lakes. 

The first of my trout tips is to ensure you 'match the hatch' when fishing a dry fly hatch. Spend a little time observing the trout feeding, before you get excited and throw that line on in. Watch the pattern of trout rising, and watch the hatch as they rise. When you can draw some conclusions on when/where/how the next insects will rise, then is when you should be casting. Trout become exceedingly fussy in a hatch, and if you dont blend in, you'll put them down!

Trout tips #2 is to watch, watch, watch! A feeding trout is not as alert to you, and he'll give you a good window of time to suss out what he's upto and how hes feeding. Watch for the flashes of white as his mouth opens, and see how rapidly hes feeding. This will give you a good idea of where to cast, what weight to use and where to strike.

Trout tips #3 is to always walk softly, and walk slowly. Dont be in a rush to wet your line. Often, good trout at your feet can be put down from feeding because of over eager fisherman! Ive seen it alot when I take friends out. Fish your feet first, and be aware that rivers change often. Last weeks top spot might be this weeks worst!

Trout tips #4 is to keep those flys in top order. I keep my dry flys in good nick by steaming them in the kettle steam at home before I put them away. This gives them a little manicure, and lofts the hackles up for the next time I use them.

Trout tips #5 is for trolling. Work the margins, and invest in a good quality fishfinder. Trout love to patrol the middle depths of a drop off, and search for shoaling silveries and feed. A good quality lead line or downrigger is your second best investment, as you want to know exactly where that lure is fishing!

Trout tip #6 is for river mouths. Here at home in New Zealand, trout at our river mouths are fearless, strong and have little food competiton. Look for these such river mouths and work every inch of water till you find the holding lines on the river bed where the trout will sit and wait for food to get flushed to them. Big, strong browns await your lures and flys!

Trout tips #7 is for fishing upriver pools, where the trout will work aerated water, and cruise in the cool deep pools. Dont be fooled into targeting the cruisers. Wait for the cruiser to assume his lye in the rapids at the pool eye or tail, and then go for him. Cruisers will spook at your first glimpse or cast!

Trout tips #8 is to always keep your gear in top order. Old flylines that are crusty or cracked are a waste of time! Oil that line up and keep and eye for damage. Also consider whats damaging it- inspect your rod guides, reel spool and where your backcast lands! Dont be tempted to trim the line. Its weighted to the inch, and wont cast the same if its chopped up.

Trout tips #9 is to take a buddy. Fishing in pairs is far more productive, and very rewarding! Some of the best days ive had have been where one friend spots and observes, and the other fishes to the trout. Rainbows in rivers are particularly fooled by this method! Browns, with their sharp eyes and aloof nature, are harder to target, but having four eyes on him instead of two is our best bet.

And to finish, trout tips #10 is for cooking your catch. Lake fish are nicer than river fish, and sea runs or silvers are even nicer still! The rich saltwater diet means they grow fast and they taste awesome. Let that little river fella go back, chances are he'll taste like mud and bugs anyway! Rub your sea run trout in salt and pepper after slitting the skin about 6 times vertically, and stuff a lemon slice into each slit. In the gut cavity, stuff him with a mix of diced red onion, breadcrumbs, lemon juice, white wine, hickory sauce parsley and one egg to bind it all. Wrap the fish whole in tinfoil and throw on the BBQ for around 10 minutes each side (for a 5lb fish). Exquisite!

I hope you enjoyed my trout tips, all the best for your fishing!