Trout is a well-known game fish that lives in cool freshwater. Since trout are not picky about what they eat, it’s generally easy to catch one, making trout fishing a popular American pastime.
You don’t need much to land a nice trout. Just a basic rod and reel should do it, along with some enticing bait. But if you want to learn how to attract and hook the most impressive specimens, you’ve come to the right place.
Cast off and see what you can come up with in our brown trout and rainbow trout sections. We’re glad you stopped by!
The prevailing school of thought is that rainbow trout and brown trout are among the hardest-fighting trout in the world. Both are known for sheer power, particularly among bigger fish. But the rainbow trout might win out among fly fishers. When they’re hooked rainbows tend to leap from the water as they try to spit …
The ubiquitous Clouser Minnow is a great all-around fly that is tied to imitate a baitfish. Since larger trout do, indeed, eat baitfish, a Clouser can be a good fly for trout in the right instances. The venerable Clouser Minnow might be the most versatile baitfish fly ever crafted at the tying vise. Composed of …
The best way to hold a trout, particularly if you plan to release it, is by supporting its midsection and avoiding its gills. Trout bones are flexible, but they can be damaged if the fish’s weight isn’t supported. There’s a perception out there that trout are delicate creatures that can die at the blink of …
Generally speaking, trout require very clean water to survive. That’s not to say the water always meets the general definition of “clean.” Trout can aptly handle muddy or dirty water after storms or during runoff. But, in terms of water quality, trout do, for the most part, require clean water. When you think of trout, …
Trout are known to leap from the water in pursuit of prey, but it’s not all about food. Trout jump to loosen eggs and milt during the spawning season. They also jump to flush debris from their gills. And, of course, they jump when encounter waterfalls on their spawning migration. Trout jump for lots of …
If you’re a trout angler, you’re probably a lot like me. You have a love-hate relationship with The Movie. In 1992, Brad Pitt and Craig Sheffer romanced the rest of the world in the film, “A River Runs Through It.” It simultaneously saved and ruined both trout and fly fishing. Even if you’re not an …
Cutthroat trout have similar diets to most other trout species. They feast on insects, crustaceans, leeches, worms, and smaller fish. They use their aggression and ambush-style hunting skills to feed. Wherever you’re targeting them, assume most of their diet is local insects followed by the larger prey. Cutthroat trout are sensitive fish. There are over …
Generally, anglers prefer fluorocarbon when they’re trout fishing. While some only use it as a leader, others use it as their main line. Fluorocarbon catches trout because it is challenging to see underwater, it’s durable, sensitive, and the stiffness prevents bird’s nests or unnecessary snags. When I first walked into my local tackle shop to …
Stocked trout don’t have a guaranteed lifespan. Some live a few days, and others live upwards of seven years. Their lifespan depends entirely on the water conditions, fishing pressure, predators, and access to food. They’re raised in controlled environments and released into the wild to acclimate and survive. Without stocked trout, many of us wouldn’t …
Trout have teeth. They have curved teeth on their upper and lower jaws and two rows of vomerine teeth. Vomerine teeth sit on the roof of trout’s mouths. They work in unison with their tongue to help hold on to any larger prey they catch. To the casual angler, trout are smaller fish that spend …