The Rainbow Trout is an animal that likes to conserve as much energy as possible while expending minimal effort when it comes to eating. This math equation become obvious when one sees the fish’s decision to either expend its metabolism on something, or leave it alone. Right before he see it rise there tends to be a certain sort of hushed silence that descends upon the river. Although the wind may continue to rustle the willows and the water continues to flow, all else seem silent for a moment.
For most fishermen, however, this results in poor casting timing for correct fly, or even worse, using incorrect pattern for the given situation. By breaking this system down into simple parts, the feeding chart illustrate the connection between depth, water temp, and availability of natural food sources. When these linkages is understood, fishing becomes less of a shot-in-the-dark and more of a detailed plan of attack.
How to Catch Rainbow Trout
The single-most important factor that you can manipulate is the water temperature. Water less than forty-five degrees Fahrenheit cause a big slow down of the trout’s metabolism and they essentially go on lockdown. They aren’t going to chase anything far if at all. On the flip side, as that mercury creeps back above mid-fifties, those enzymes starts working again and digestion becomes effective, spiking the activity. Trout gets aggressive and actively pursue whatever protein source they can find. This is when feeding get good.
Anything over around seventy-degrees, however, causes stress for the trout. They seek out cool, oxygenated pools near spring inflow areas and basically turn off the tap. You’re not going to find ‘em chasing around then. You will only find them if you are targeting very particular thermal refuges. In such a case, it’s best to call it a day instead of harassing stressed-out critters in deadly heat.
Temperature isn’t all that matters. Trout will also save energy by positioning themselves in slack water behind a log or rock, allowing the current to feed them a stream of offerings. An easy meal delivered right to their mouth is an offer they can’t refuse. It require zero effort to eat a drift-fed nymph at eye level.
That’s why presentation is sometimes more critical than pattern selection. Your artificial version of whatever is hatching locally has to mimic natural action with the current, too; if it doesn’t, it’s going to look like something’s wrong to a wary trout, no matter what it resembles. The infographic explains which foods is most active at which depths, from bottom-dwellers like scuds and stonefly nymphs to those found near the surface (like dry flies). Getting your fly’s weight and buoyancy dialed into that exact depth in the water column makes the difference between an ignored drift and a strike.
These opportunistic predators has whole new menus brought on by seasonal changes. In spring, they feed frantically on emerging mayflies, stoneflies, and other surface-feeding bug. Trout cash in big time on this plentiful protein just prior to spawning runs. During summer months the action switches to larger terrestrial offerings like blown-in grasshoppers coming off overhanging banks providing a large meal that demands bold presentation. In the fall, baitfish patterns like smolts and sculpins dominates the deep pools as the days gets shorter. Winter’s a test of patience as it becomes all about tiny midges being the dominant food source in cold clear water. Matching the hatch to these seasonal changes will ensure you’re not putting forth an impossible menu to greedy mouths.
The other mistake I see many anglers make is concentrating more on color than movement or size. Before a trout can decipher color, it sees vibration and then profile. Oftentimes a dark nymph on a fine hook will outperform a flashy colored imitation. It simply presents the proper silhouette in the water column.
It’s as much about reading the water as it is reading the insects. If you see V-wakes, ripples or rise-forms, look for feeding activity. How selective do the fish seems? Change your tippet and leader length accordingly. Use heavier rigs in turbulent riffles and delicate presentation in clear water. Slowing down is essential here.
Forget habit; slow down and really watch what is going on under the surface. That first silent moment observing should of paid off each and every time you pick up that fly rod and cast into the current.