brook trout Archives

5 Tips For Better Trout Fishing Success

Gary Borger Scientific Anglers ''Fly Fishing for Trout'' Video - DVD - Line/term/acc/boatsWhen it comes to fishing around the world trout fishing seems to be the most popular for most anglers. I would have to agree with that most of the time although bass fishing puts up a good fight for first place among sports fishers like myself here in North America.

I have been fishing for these rather abundant yet crafty fish using my spinning gear and fly fishing gear for about half a century. Trout fishing just never gets old whether I’m fishing a lake, pond, river or brook.

I live in North America, Canada actually and we have trout all the way from the east coast, where I currently live to the west coast where I’d love to take a fishing trip some day. The trout in it’s many forms such as brookies or speckled, rainbow, brown and even lake trout are all over most parts of North America but they are not limited to N.A.

The Trout Habitat I Love To Fish

I really don’t find fishing lakes for trout as exciting as I do fly fishing a stream for brookies probably because a brook is so much more visual. But I won’t turn down a trip to a lake for some trout fishing.

One of my best fishing trips was a fly in trip into Quebec for lake trout and pike. A fishing trip I will not soon forget as I got to sight fish for spawning lake trout, my first chance to fly fish for lake trout.

We have rivers here in New Brunswick with Brown trout in them. I didn’t even realize we had brown trout here so you can imagine how excited I was when I landed my first brown trout ever in a brook I was fishing for brook trout in.

trout fishing tipsLuck can be a big part of fishing and I enjoy making a cast that hooks into a fish I didn’t expect.

My fishing buddies tend to think I’m lucky or have horse shoes up my behind when I catch a big one.  Of course when it’s them that makes the big catch it’s all skill.

The truth is there are always a few things you can learn to do while fishing that will make you a better trout angler.

  1. When trout fishing a stream don’t get in the water until you have evaluated the lay of the water and structure. What’s happening in and around the water that will tell you want might be happening under the water.
  2. Knowing what the trout are feeding on will give you a big advantage so follow step one first and then step two is to turn over a few rocks that are under the water to see what kind of life is living there, then use a bait that matches what you find.
  3. Having taken the time to read the water and surrounding for indicators of what the trout are feeding on and you have turned a few rock you now need to get your bait or fly where the fish live, but not on top of their head as you will spook them and never catch much other than dumb fish which are usually quite young and small.
  4. Situate yourself so that you are not in a feeding lane and then cast ahead of the fish so that the bait or fly will drift into the fishes feeding zone. You are much more likely to get that big one when you’re stealthy.
  5. Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to trout fishing as they are extremely easy to spook. Practice patience and you will do much better. When you accidently slap your bait or fly on the water and spook a fish, stop, take a break to give the fish a few minutes to calm down. That’s when you get the big one and the other guy gets skunked.

Bonus Trout Fishing Tip

A real key to successful trout fishing is to go with a fishing setup that will give you the most excitement and sometimes that means going with a light setup for those smaller trout. I have so much more fun when I am fishing light tackle or fly fishing setup that matches the size of the trout I am fishing.

These 5 useful trout fishing tips will help you catch more trout and even bigger trout in the same water you couldn’t catch them before. Happy fishing and remember to take a kid fishing, it could change their life like it did mine.

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Minn Kota Endura C2 30 12V 30lb 30 InchTrolling motors give you the opportunity to find those best fresh water fishing hot spots. Let others fish those not so productive areas.

I love trolling motors. I even had one for my canoe and caught lots of big bass on Lake George, Harvey Lake. Even pickerel and trout from Cassidy Lake near Norton New Brunswick.

So today I’d like to share a bit about a specific fresh water trolling motors, the Minn Kota Endura C2 30 12V 30lb 30 Inch. Let’s look at some benefits along with a few features but it wouldn’t be complete without a look at any reported shortcomings of the Minn Kota Endura C2 30.

I don’t mind spending money on fishing related products but I also love getting a real good deal because it means I can usually buy more fishing related stuff. Those of us who are really serious about our fishing and who have a boat loving buying new things for it.

Christmas is getting so close and it’s the time I try to get my friends and family to think fishing when they think about what to buy me.

If you’ve had your mind set on a trolling motor you need to start giving the hints to your family. Wouldn’t it be nice to get the Minn Kota Endura C2 30?

Minn Kota Endura C2 30 Characteristics

Start sharing all the characteristics with your family so they know you’re excited about the Minn Kota Endura C2.

  • 30 lbs of Thrust
  • 30 Inch Shaft
  • 5 Forward Speeds
  • 3 Reverse Speeds
  • Six Inch Telescoping Handle
  • Lever Lock Bracket. A Mounting bracket that’s the strongest
  • Runs Quietly so as not to disturb fish.
  • Special composite materials resist flexing warping and UV damage.
  • Indestructible composite shaft stronger than steel.
  • Uses 12 volt Battery – not included.

Yeah the Minn Kota Endura C2 is a legendary performer built to explore, built to last and backed up with our two year warranty. It’s also designed specifically for boats that are small to medium in size.

This trolling motor has been designed for freshwater and is easily mounted using the lever lock bracket. To reduce friction as well as noise the Minn Kota Endura C2 has a ball bearing system that’s extremely smooth so it doesn’t scare off the fish.

Before I finally boat a trolling motor I used to curse the wind, a lot. Especially on Cassidy lake near Norton New Brunswick. The best fishing spot of course is the furthest spot from my vehicle. And of course once you get down in there the wind picks up and makes it tough for one person to paddle out of there. I usually ended up beaching the canoe and walking it along the shore line until I would get out of there. But it’s such a good fishing spot.

Bass boat, aluminum, on High Rock Lake

Image via Wikipedia

The first time I used my new trolling motor on Cassidy Lake I cruised right out there. Actually caught a couple more pickerel on the way out. When the wind is blowing in there you can’t stop paddling or you lose ground. With the my trolling motor I wasn’t cursing the wind or the the slightest bit exhausted from paddling.

The places we fish for bass, pickerel and trout require a trolling motor as most boat motors would never get to where we like to fish. Take a few minutes to check out the Minn Kota Endura C2 30 and I am sure you will have more productive days on the water.

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3 Fly Fishing Tips To Help Catch More Brook Trout

fly fishing for brook troutMy love of fishing began just about 50 years ago when I moved from Toronto to a foster home in the country. It was a 100 acre beef farm with a river running through the back end. I spent a lot of hours fishing for catfish. It was were I went get rid of stress.

Those memories of fishing are as fresh in my mind today as they were 50 years ago. Take a kid fishing and change a life.

I couldn’t wait to get out of that foster home and eventually moved to New Brunswick Canada where I still had blood relatives.

It was New Brunswick where I learned how to use a fly rod for the first time and spent the next 5 years finding and fly fishing every trout streams, brook and beaver pond I could find. I also spent a lot of time fly fishing for Atlantic salmon but that’s for another post.

Trout Fishing Tip #1 – Patience Wins The Day

As many years as I have been fishing I still get more excited the closer I get to a fishing spot.

I used to be the first to the water and usually the first to catch a fish but I wonder just how many bigger, wiser fish I spooked being in such a hurry.

I remember watching brother-in-law Joe, the guy who taught me to use a fly rod. He was slow and pokey but it turns out that he was more methodical about fly fishing and would always catch the bigger fish. it took me a few years to calm down enough to pay attention to him.

Joe would get all geared up, then he would creep down to the edge of the water, find a comfy rock and have a coffee while watching what was going on in and around the water.

Trout Fishing Tip #2 – Being Stealthy Wins The Day, Again

I learned a bit of patience from Joe but I learned to be a stealthy fly fishing from a college professor who was an avid fly fisher.

My professor asked me if I wanted to go fly fishing after supper as he knew I carried my fishing gear everywhere I went.

Well he took me to a spot I have fished many times and caught some nice fat 12 and 13 inch brookies. Nothing any bigger than that there, I thought.

Well I was about to find out there were much bigger brookies in that brook.

We didn’t take the same path I usually took to fish this spot. He took me up river a bit where we crossed to the other side and came back down to where I usually start fishing.

Before getting to the brook he started to crouch and almost crawled to a tree right on the river bank. From behind the tree he pointed out a little riffle of water going under an overhanging tree on the other bank.

He made one false cast to get the line out and then changed his direction and landed a small dry fly at the beginning of the riffle and let it drift under the tree. A huge splash and he had on a brook trout that could eat the trout I usually catch there.

I was blown away when he netted the first 18 inch brook trout I had ever seen.

He said to give that spot a break for a few minutes and we moved to the next spot where he did the same thing. Kinda crawled to a spot he could get a good cast with his fly, without being seen by any fish. Heck I used to just walk up and start casting.

This time he hooked into a 16 inch brookie.

The next spot it was my turn. I did all the stealth and tried to keep low in the tall grass. I had a bit of trouble making a cast in that position and my fly slapped the water. Big mistake when you’re fly fishing spooky fish like brook trout.

I did hook a 13 inch brook trout. Guess he wasn’t as smart as those bigger brookies who took off when I smacked the water.

Trout Fishing Tip #3 – Learn To Read The Water

reading brook trout waterBack to brother-in-law Joe who taught me to fly fish with a bit of patience. Well Joe also taught me about reading my surroundings. Something I have taught many people over the years.

He’d sit there sipping his coffee and reading the river for potential fish locations were we could take a fish.

Once he had them pointed out we would watch those spots. It was amazing to me when we would see a brookie take something from the surface, exactly where he showed me.

The more I observed the better I got at observing which showed in the numbers of fish I was catching on the fly. I actually got to the point where people I took fishing were impressed with my talents, talents I had to learn from others.

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Hey What Kind of Trout Is That?

a-day-of-fishingOur son Steve and his buddy Robin both bought their fishing license this year. They’ve even been out fishing twice already. Even with the water as high as it has been.

They asked me were they could go close to Moncton and I told them of a great spot Kerry and I had fished where we had the best trout fishing day of the year.

This is actually the only spot in New Brunswick I have ever caught brown trout. They are fun to catch and fight and jump better than the brookies, very acrobatic fish and beautifully coloured as well.

I was sure how high the water would be there but it was not far away so they took their back roads map book and head there.

When Kerry and I had gone we took main roads to get there but I had shown Robin a shorter road, not realizing one of the roads was a dirt road and some of it was washed out.

They spent a little over an hour getting out of a big ole mud hole and then turned around and took the same route Kerry and I had taken.

This little spot can take you all day to fish so it’s good to hide a big to get back to the vehicle or taking two vehicles would work well as well.

I can thank my fishing buddy Roland for this great fishing spot.

I’m looking forward to taking Jamie to this spot where we can take both our spinning rods and our fly rods as there is a lot of this brook that’s open enough for the fly rods.

Anyways back to Steve and Robin’s day.

robin-trout-fishing
Robin Trout Fishing

I can see from the pictures Steve took that the river is up a little and the water’s running a bit faster but quite fish-able.

It was raining and heavy clouds so the lighting was the greatest for taking pictures so they may seem a little dark.

robin-flounder
Robin Caught A Huge Flounder, Well Maybe Not Huge

By the time they were ready to come back home they kind lost track of where they were. Do we go left back to the road or was it right, hmmm.

Hey look there’s a guy that knows how to get to the highway.

porcupine

So they managed to find their way to the truck, thanks to Porky.

The boys were using worms on a few Mepps and Red Devils.

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What To Look For Fly Fishing Trout Streams

Trout fishing on Potato Creek, Smethport, PA.

Image via Wikipedia

Barry, an old friend I haven’t heard from in years, since he moved away. Well he’s moved back and gave me a call to see what’s happening in my neck of the woods.

He didn’t even fish the last time I saw him but now he’s into a little less stress in his life, for health reasons and thought fishing would be a good way to get away from things that stress him.

He told me he has always loved a good feed of brook trout and thought that might be exactly what he wants to fish for.

We met before I was married and he knows I was out every day during fishing season, even had a part time job to support my habit yet still have loads of time off. That changed once I got married of course as it wouldn’t be fair to a non-fisher lady, would it.

Barry doesn’t know how to fly fish, yet, so I thought I would just share a few tips to help him produce better results.

Trout fishing was the first thing I did when I moved to New Brunswick, where I learned to fly fish, but most of the places I was fishing back then were tough to fly fish so I did a lot of spinner and worm fishing.

It’s sure great having a huge lawn as I can get enough worms for an entire day of fishing in about 15 minutes. I water the lawn just before dark and then come back after an hour or two, with a flash light, and start grabbing them.

Where To Locate Brook Trout

It’s not hard to locate trout here in New Brunswick but to find those bigger brookies one needs a little stealth or they will spook and be gone in a flash.

Obstacles That Hold Brookies

When I am fishing brooks and streams I look for under-cut banks, log jams, turns in the brook that create deeper holes and just about anything else that will give trout protection from above and predators around them in the water.

Areas With Different Water Speeds

I also watch how the water moves because the seems between water at different speeds is a real hot spot for feeding trout. They will sit right where they keep in the slower moving water but dart out into the faster water to pick up food.

How can you tell good spots? Well I personally like to sit for a few minutes before starting and watch what floats down stream. Watch how foam, bugs, leaves and other debris moves down stream because that’s the same path the trout’s food will come.

Brook Trout Fishing Gear

When I go brook trout fishing I take both a spinning rod and a fly rod, both light action of course as most of the brookies are small and even the larger ones don’t get much past 5 lbs in the places I fish.

I really prefer that fly rod but it’s good to cover yourself in case there is no room to use the fly rod. That’s when I get the spinning rod out.

I love using dry flies for brook trout but also have great fun fly fishing using leech patterns. The brookies will hit them hard. I fish flies anywhere from size 8 woolly buggers to size 16-18 for midges.

I carry a few small lures like Mepps and Red Devils when spinner fishing. Usually I will put an attractant on the hooks, maybe even a small worm if the fishing’s tough.

Wading The Stream

When I am wading the stream I try to move up stream to prevent spooking fish, however that’s not always an option so my suggestion is to try and be as stealthy as you can because brook trout are always nervous and will scatter easily.

Enjoy the sport, ease that stress and preserve our waters, never leave trash behind and always release the fish you don’t want unharmed.

How long should you hold a fish out of water? Trying holding your breath while you’re looking at and taking pictures, when you can’t hold it any longer that’s too long for the fish.

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Muddler Minnow-A Fly Fisher’s Fly

Fly Fishing Muddler Minnows

If I had to pick only one fly I could only fish with all year long, I would have to choose the Muddler Minnow. I like this fly pattern because it is so versatile, and it seems to produce on big rivers, small streams, and lakes. Popular sizes ranges from size 4 down to size 10 and it doesn’t have to be tied perfect to be effective. In fact, I have a friend of mine who once told me that “the worse it looks, the more fish it catches.” So if you are tying your own Muddlers and they don’t look that good, do not worry they may still catch fish.

The Muddler Minnow is a great fly for Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Brook Trout, Steelhead, and most other game fish. This fly has two major things going for it. First, it looks like a wide variety of fish forage. For example, to the fish, a large Muddler may look like a grasshopper, big stonefly, or even a small field mouse. The smaller Muddlers may look like caddis flies, small minnows, or small sculpins. Second, it can be fished just about any way you want using a dry line or a wet line, dead drifted on the surface, down and across the current, or cast and striping the fly. Don’t be afraid to give the Muddler some action. Make it look like alive trying to get away from a predator, or make it look like a big fly trying to get off the surface of the water.

A Muddler Minnow fishing tip that works when fishing slower currents or lake fishing: Cast out to a spot. As soon as the fly hits the water, twitch the fly a couple of times while stripping in about 2 feet of line, and then let it sit for 5 seconds, then twitch and strip in again working the fly back to you. Make another cast to a different spot about 6 feet from the first spot. Try not to fish over the same place over and over.

Just as there are endless variations of the Muddler Minnow, there are just as many ways to fish the Muddler. For example, in the summer, you can fish it like a hopper; twitch and pause making it look like a big insect has just fallen in the water. Skate the Muddler, and make it wake across the current while at the same time giving the fly the action of an injured minnow trying to escape a charging predator. In the springtime try the smaller sizes, and fish the fly with a sinking tip line close to shore, giving it a short stripping action. During early mornings and late evening of summer and fall use the larger sizes of the Muddler, giving it action along the edges of deep pools and cut banks.

Please remember to be careful while you are on the river, do not harm our wonderful land, don’t litter, and please practice catch and release for the next generation.

Stanley Stanton is an Oregon Fly Fishing Guide and McKenzie River fly fishing guide, Visit: http://www.oregon-fly-fishing-with-stan.com For additional fly fishing tips and information about Fly-fishing for Rainbow Trout, Steelhead Fly fishing and salmon fishing. Email: stan@oregon-fly-fishing-with-stan.com The above author authorizes distribution of this article and that it be reprinted or Published in its entirety, including this resource box.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stanley_Stanton

Tying the Muddler minnow I use is pretty straightforward. Check it out the Muddler minnow in our fly tying section.

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Secrets of Fishing For Brook Trout

A Brook Trout worth the Cold Hands

Image by James River Association via Flickr

Where are the Brook Trout?

Brook trout are looking for oxygen and water that is at least 53 degrees or colder. The stronger the current, or the more rapids there are, the more oxygen will be created in the water. As the seasons change, the these trout follow the cooler water.

Spring time, with fast flowing and cooler water, is a great time for catching brook trout. However, as summer comes and the water becomes warmer, the trout will migrate to cooler waters. Here is where you need to understand the waters where you fish.

As warmer surface water flows from the lakes to the rivers, the water becomes too warm for the brook trout. Typically they will migrate downstream where they find rocks as well as natural springs running into the river. Both of these cool the water. However, if the head water of a creek is fed by a spring fed lake, the trout will head up street to cooler waters. In the summer time, you will need to determine which way the cooler water is – upstream or downstream. That is where you will find your trout you are looking for.

What to Use for Bait and Lures?

Brook Trout will hit worms and natural insects They like grasshoppers and mayflies. They also like any artificial flies that mimic the natural bait.

A good bait to use is one that you can roll up into a round ball that resembles a salmon egg. Put this on your hook and see what you can catch. This type of bait comes in a small jar and molds just like Silly Putty, which makes it very convenient.

A 6 or 4 pound test line with small hooks is best for brook trout fishing.

Why can’t I catch Any Brook Trout?

One of the most difficult times to catch one is when the suckers are spawning. The Trout love to gorge themselves on these eggs. That means they will not be interested in what you have to offer them. If this is the case, you will need to go further up or down stream to find some Brook Trout that are hungry.

All trout are very sensitive to sound and smell. They can actually smell you, so leave your smell good stuff at home. They also scare easily, so if you go traipsing through the water making lots of noise and splash, they will hide from you. If you offend their senses, they will swim away to their favorite hiding places.

One more reason Brook Trout may be difficult for you to catch is because they often are at the base of a waterfall or rapids area. They like deep pools and bubbles but they may be in areas that are too deep for you to wade in thereby making them very difficult for you to reach.

Next, discover more about the lures, bait, and flies that will turn you into a successful trout fisherman.

Tips about trout fishing are found in this FREE mini-course - Secrets To Trout Fishing!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hank_Schmidlap

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