Fly Fishing Creek

In this article I’m going to use my 25 years of trout fishing experience to outline the basics of trout fishing. I know that if someone had outlined these basics, it would have saved me countless hours of trial and error, thus making me a much better trout angler. All of the tips and techniques work, and have been proven through real world trout fishing experience.

When it comes to the basics of trout fishing the first thing to consider are the trout themselves. Where are trout found? Mostly in cold, clear, flowing water. Are trout found in lakes? Sure, but mostly because they’ve been planted there by your states fish and game department. In any case, whether the water they’re found in is flowing or still, it is almost always cold and clear.

This means as anglers we need to “blend in” to the background as much as possible. Is camouflage clothing necessary? Of course not, but you do want to stay away from “loud” colors, or any clothing that will make you stand out against the background. Because of the nature of the water they’re found in (cold and clear) trout are very aware of their surroundings. If they detect anything “out of the ordinary” they are much less apt to bite. As a trout angler you want to not “stand out” as much as possible.

When it comes to the basics of trout fishing the size of fishing line that you employ is of the utmost importance. You always want to use fishing line that’s as light as possible. This means no line heavier than 6 pound test should ever be employed while trout fishing. I was taught by my mentor to always use 4 pound test monofilament (which is what I use to this day), but I’ve found that 6 pound test is passable. The bottom line is to always use fishing line that’s as light as possible.

I can’t mention the basics of trout fishing without mentioning the use of Mother Nature. Using Mother Nature to your advantage when trout fishing is a simple and easy way to catch more trout. Learning the simple ways the weather and moon (Mother Nature) affect the behavior of trout will do more to help your fishing success than the type of bait you use. Being on the water at the most opportune times is most certainly one of the basics of trout fishing.

The last of my basics of trout fishing is the type of hooks you use. There is no better way to catch trout than with live bait, and the only way to rig live bait is a set of gang hooks. This is especially true in the case of live worms (which are great bait for trout in river and streams). Gang hooks and trout fishing go together like peas and carrots, and every trout angler that uses live bait should use them.

These basics of trout fishing will make you a much more efficient and effective trout angler. Now it’s time to get out on the water and start honing your skills and employing these new ideas.