How to Catch Brook Trout

Brook Trout Info

Aggressive and Fun to Catch! *

Brook trout are not really trout, but members of the char family. An easy way to determine “what you have” is to look at the underside of your fish. The beginning dorsal fins of ‘brookies’ are always  white.

Next comes a line of black.  the rest of the brookie’s fin is usually orange.

Brook Trout

This fish is the only trout that is native to the US.  We have to worry about the continuation of this species because of the brook trout’s:  need for “clear waters of high purity and a narrow pH range in lakes, rivers, and streams, being sensitive to poor oxygenation, pollution, and changes in pH caused by environmental effects such as acid rain.” 1

Smaller than either the brown or rainbow trout, the “brookie” lives comfortably in water too shallow for the other trout. They use the green vegetation as hiding areas.

Spawning season is from late summer to early autumn and at this time, they are their most colorful.  They prefer waters between 47 and 67 degrees.

Catching a “Brookie”

Like his cousins, the rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout, brookie’s prefer deep pools. This is where the termperature is most stable.

“Brookies” are aggressive and fairly easy to catch. If you catch a 14 inch ‘brookie’ — it’s a genuine trophy game fish — and it is about 5 years of age (they generally live ~6 years).

If you are hoping for a “lunker,” you might want to use live minnows. As the trout grows, he spends more time chasing small fish for a meal, and less eating insects.

Fly fishermen indicate that these are the most successful lures for catching trout:  spawn egg imitation patterns (ex: single egg patterns ro egg sucking leech), crustaceans (freshwater scud patterns).

Of the streamers, anglers are successful with leech , wooly bugger and bait fish imitation patterns.  These wet flies are faves with fly fishermen: Quil Gordan, Adams, Black Gnat, LeadwingCoachman, Butcher, Blue Zulu and McGinty.

Of the dry flies, these are favorites: Adams, Black Gnat, Black Midge, Cahill, and the Poly Quil Spinner.  Nymphs: Prince Nymph, Peeking Caddis, Sparkle Larva and Zug Bug.  Hook sizes should range from #10 to #20.

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*This brook trout is shown by permission of Vantage Point – provider of clear window graphics. This is part of their Wild Wings Art Collection.

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Part 2: How to Catch Cutthroat Trout

How To Catch Cutthroat Trout

This handsome boy is always hungry! ***

Depending on where you fish, it’s possible to get a crack at the sea trout that have moved back into fresh water.  Generally, it takes a few years for the fish to mature before they  return to spawn. The adult cutthroats feed and spawn from fall through  spring. They prefer water between 55 and 62 degrees.

These fish, even after years in salt water, have no problem finding their home waters.  They spawn in the months of April through June.

What Cutthroat Trout Eat

By July, the first of the young cutthroats are leaving the gravel nests of their birth.  Always hungry, cutthroats seem to bite everything: lures, flies and live bait!

This branch of the trout family eats lots of insects; fly fishing is a great way to enjoy successful angling.  In Alaska, these fish are the most common trout species in the state.

Younger cutthroats, spend their days in lakes, hiding in and around submerged logs and vegetation.  They rush from their hiding places to snag insects and small fish (they’ve been known to eat other fish, up to  1/4 th their size)!

By the time they reach 14″ in length, they give up this slow process to a meal and turn into predators of smaller fish.

Where Cutthroats Hide

Here are some of the most common ways to catch cutthroats:

• Looking for trophy size?  In land-locked lakes, troll off of steep shorelines.*
• Spinners & spoons are great for lakes with deep pools. Fish deeply here & along steep shorelines (with plenty of vegetation).
• In small inlet streams, use wet or dry flies.
• The combination of a muddler minnow** and underwater vegetation is a winner for the cutthroat angler.  Make sure your line sinks quickly.

Finally

Remember that cutthroats prefer the deeper pools of water; they don’t like extreme water temperature changes (deeper waters remain a more constant temperature).

When fishing deeply, remember that light only penetrates so far down. Use larger lures or bait — so the fish have an easy time finding them.

Please fish responsibly! These beautiful creatures are endangered in some areas.  Check their status in the waters where you plan to fish!

* According to the Alaska Dept of Fish & Game

** Muddler minnows are artificial flies that are very popular.

*** Used by permission of Vantage Point Concepts.  This image is part of the Wild Wings Artwork Collection.

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Part 1: Fishing for Cutthroat Trout

Facts About Cutthroat Trout

Note the Band of Bright Color from One Gill to the Other! *

The unusual name “cutthroat” comes from the splash of color along the throat.

Other than the bright orange-red color from gill-to-gill, this game fish comes in an amazingly broad range of colors — from yellow to green to gray. The coloration depends on the waters he lives in and his history.

Like the rainbow trout, this is a Pacific-area freshwater fish, related to the salmon family.

The Bad News About Cutthroats

Generally, this is a prized game fish in many parts of the US.  In others, especially Colorado and Yellowstone Park, the remaining subspecies of the cutthroats are either endangered or state fish departments are trying to get them added to the endangered list.

There are reasons for the dropping numbers of cutthroats. First, is the loss of habitat — pollution is taking its toll.  These fish were protected for thousands of years by living in isolated watersheds and river basins.

As man has moved into the further reaches of America, he has disturbed the balance that has protected cutthroats for so many years. When non-native fish have been introduced to a cutthroat trout area, they have often been more aggressive than the cutthroats.

Brown and brook trout tend to replace cutthroats in regions were they have been introduced. Because of their slow reproduction rate, cutthroats are very sensitive to over-harvesting.

Cutthroats freely breed with rainbows  to create a “cutbow.”  They also easily breed with Apache trout and Gila trout. Thus, there are fewer cutthroats each year.

Many of the cutthroats migrate to sea (Pacific Ocean) if they can and are then called sea trout. They can reach 20 lbs. However, most of these trout say in freshwater and stay in the 1-2 lb. range.

Next Time: How To Catch Cutthroat Trout

* This photo is used by permission from Vantage Point Concepts. I  sell their rear window graphics.   This image is part of the Wild Wings Artwork Collection.

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Following the Rainbow – How to Catch Rainbow Trout!

Rainbow trout are probably one of the most beautiful fish available to anglers.

Rainbow Trout Info

Rainbows are native to waters in the west coast. They are genetically more like the Pacific salmon than the brown trout.

Poetry in Motion! *

Because rainbow trout do not reproduce in local waters, they are grown in fisheries and restocked by state wildlife and fisheries departments.

In nature, they have a narrow band of red from cheek to tail.

Rainbows occur naturally in the Pacific Northwest and travel to-and-from the sea. In these areas, the fish is called a “steelhead” and is silvery in color.  Steelheads are a whole-other-game-fish and outside of our discussion today.

How to Catch Rainbow Trout

The thrill of catching a rainbow is partly due to the impressive display they put on when caught. They leap! They fly! They fight!

Look for rainbows in faster-moving waters (than the other trout-types).  They are also found in shoreline fishing, in rip-rap, deep holes and in underwater structures.

Generally, look for splashy water around boulders and rapids.

What Rainbow Trout Eat

Most successful anglers start with flies – wet and dry, and nymphs — with fly fishing tackle.  You can also try live bait — worms, salmon eggs & insects with fly fishing and spinning tackle.

Rainbows have also been known to fancy corn, marshmallows, cheese and bread!  Go figure!

In the artificial class, you can use light spinning tackle with spoons and spinners.

In early spring, rainbows are lethargic and usually are bottom feeders. During this season, make sure you are fishing on bottom too.

Rainbow Trout Recipes

They can be prepared by barbecuing, broiling, baking, frying or smoking.

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* This photo is used by permission from Vantage Point Concepts. I am an approved seller of their rear window graphics.

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This blog is a companion to my website: EasyOnlineOrdering.com

When Do Trout Spawn?

Why Spawning Matters

Fish weigh more and are in better shape just prior to spawning. Fish can lose lots of weight during the spawning process, especially those that travel great distances to spawn.

Catch a Great Trout Before Spawning Season Starts!

According to fish authorities, eastern trout spawn in the fall and western trout breed during spring months.  Some fish species spawn spring and fall; one way nature provides for the continuation of the species.

Spawning Seasons for Trout*

Season                          Species

spring                              rainbow trout, cutthroat trout

summer                          mountain trout

late sum. to early       brook trout, bull trout                                                                           fall

fall                                     brown trout, lake trout

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From Feeding to Spawning Grounds

Most trout feed in the deeper regions of rivers and lakes. However, during spawning they head upstream to areas of highly oxygenated waters (generally, VERY clear water) with gravel bottoms. These areas tend to be in streams and inlets.

During the time that eggs are being released, many fish avoid eating. However,  just prior to the beginning of the spawning season, males become more active and protective of females.

They tend to strike at things they ignore at other times: flashy lures, streamer flies, etc.  This isn’t the time to worry about what is hatching (generally, anglers use artificial lures of whatever insect is hatching at that time);  pull out the flashy/red/hot-orange lure!

Spawning Season

During the spawning season, fish become more difficult to see. From above, female backs are exactly the same shade as nest gravel. Even males are well-disguised from the top, although their sides remain colorful.

Females swish their tails to hollow out a spot in the gravel. While they are making their nests, males are gathering around.

Males often fight and it isn’t unusual to see males with chewed-off tails, missing eyes or body punctures! Some die of their wounds.

During spawning, the hens drop low in their nests and  eject eggs. Meanwhile, the male sprays milt (sperm).  The eggs that drop into the nest are fertilized.  The hen quickly swishes gravel over the eggs, to hide them from predators. This may be repeated several times, eggs stacking in layers with gravel.

With small trout, the spawning may only take a day or two; for larger trout, about 5 days is the norm. Females produce about 400 eggs per pound of their weight (for example: an 8 ounce female would produce a total of about 200 eggs during spawning season).

After about 3 months, the tiny fish leave the nest and strike out on their own. Fortunately, during every spawning season enough new fish are born to continue the wonderful sport we know as fishing!

More about trout — next time!

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Trout Fishing in Small Streams

There are unique problems to fishing in small streams. These tips will also work in larger streams.

Fish Senses

A Large Trout in a Small Stream

In “Fish Senses & How They Use Them – Part 2,” (dated 20 June 2009), I mentioned that fish can hear an angler’s heavy tread. Fish can also see anglers. It is important to stay back from the bank and use short casts and generally — be sneaky!

Noise, talking, heavy walking, the sound of a boat motor — all of these spook fish. However, how much fish are spooked – lies in direct relationship to the fish’s experience with anglers.  Fish experienced with anglers know they should stay gone, and usually do.

Fish in out-of-the-way places may be momentarily spooked, but generally will return.   There’s less for them to eat in a small stream.

Facing Into the Current

As a general rule, anglers should do their fishing in an upstream direction. Why?  Facing into the current is the way trout breathe easiest.

Another tip: In small streams, it is difficult to catch multiple fish in quick succession.  It usually requires a wait between castings.

Learning to Read Water

Anglers with experience seem to have no problem understanding what the “water is telling them.”  They know that trout prefer the shade of overhanging branches, tree stumps in the water, rocks or weedy banks.

If you are near a waterfall or rapids, cast your line into the deep water pockets below these natural features. Also, look for water that appears darker than the rest of the water. They often signify a deep pool.

What if a stream offers none of these conditions? Look for places where there is a natural “V” in the water. Trout often lie directly behind these places.

Finally

Learning and using these tips are all a part of experience. By fishing a stream multiple times, you learn to understand what the water is telling you.

Remember, the trout in “small streams do not have as much food available as in large areas. If you are quiet, stay out of direct site and offer an interesting morsel, you are likely to see some action!

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Basic Tips: Trout Fishing in Streams**

Amazingly, only about 2% of the trout spawned in any given year reach their first birthday. In order for you to get your share, you need to know about the trout’s habits.

Trout Habitats

Trout cannot survive in water that is consistently hotter than 75 degrees!**  Most stream trout prefer the water between 50 and 60 degrees.

Trout Offer Great Fishing Action!

Lake and brook trout prefer water at the lower numbers (low 50’s), while brown trout like their water warmer (high 50’s to low 60’s).

Trout are to be found in deeper waters during winter and mid-summer, because the water temperature is more consistent there.

Fishing for trout? Fish in deeper waters during very cool and very warm weather.

When Trout Eat

Trout like to dine in the early morning or late evening hours. Actually, trout are opportunistic eaters (they eat when food is available), but they prowl for food at times when there is less light.

In a river or stream, trout are most likely to be close to or under rocks, near the edges of water and on ledges – where the land drops away under water.

If these options are not available, trout are likely to move to deeper water.

What Trout Eat

During insect-hatching times, trout are there in the shallows, snapping up the young insects. During the seasons in which worms, flies, flying ants and grasshoppers are available, the trout are happy to eat them.

Much of the year, trout eat small minnows, but trout have been found to eat fish that are as big as 1/3 their own size!

Where Do I Fish for Trout in Streams?

The answer depends on the stream; if the water is fast-moving,  drop your line along the edges of the fast-moving water.

Trout can hold their own in water with a strong current, but they usually look for food along the edges.  This is because minnows cannot handle swiftly-moving waters. Therefore, the minnows are along the edges and trout are there, hoping to dine on the minnows.

After a hard rain, trout will troll along the banks, hoping to catch the earthworms, insects and grubs the rain has brought their way.

Other times they tend to feed in the shallows (and quiet places):  when the water level is high or the water becomes muddy.

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* “ClearVue Graphics” logo runs through this image because it is their copyrighted photo. I use it with permission, because I’m a distributor of this product.

** When water is warmer than 75 degrees, trout move to deep parts to survive. If there are no deep pools, they die. (Info added to clarify statement).

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Coming Soon:

• 3 main varieties of trout
• more tips about  fishing for trout varieties in different waters

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Part 2: Let’s Go Crappie Fishing

Fishing for Crappie!

Black vs. White Crappie Habitats

Besides preferring clear water, black crappie hang out in reedy, weedy waters.

Blacks want hard bottoms, while white thrive in silted waters with muddy bottoms.

Sluggish During the Summer

From July to September, you can find crappie in water between 3 and 20 feet.  Your line needs to hit the shallows: weed beds, stumps, any area where branches and brush collect.

They respond to 1.5 to 2.5″ live minnows, jigs, spinners and small crank-baits.

Fall Season

Crappie are still situated between 3 and 20 feet.  During October and November, they tend to hide out under man-made structures (docks), weeds and brushwood.

Try your hand with feathered jigs, curly tails, live bait and bobber rigs. Toss them near rock piles and submerged wood.

Winter Fishing for Crappie

Crappie are still in the 3 – 20 foot water range during the months of December through February.  They may move a bit deeper, so look for them around dropoffs, down deeper in brush piles or under submerged timber.

They will respond to the same bait as in the fall: feathered jigs, curly tails, live bait and bobber rigs.

Spring Crappie Fishing

After spring rains or the snow melts, watch for newly submerged land (that is normally dry).  During the months of March and April, crappie don’t hang around the deep end.

They usually stay in waters from 3 to 15 feet. They spend more time in shallow creeks, weed beds, around stumps and logs. At this time, try a variety of lures:  spinners, minnow rigs, jigs and bobber rigs.

Crappie Fishing Tips

Crappie are at most active during the spring months.  If you plan to fish in the shallows, your rig can be basic:  A bobber is set with 6 to 36″ of line. At the bottom, use a jig, either plain or gussied up with a minnow, etc.

For deeper fishing, you will need: a 1/2 oz. sinker, some #6 to #8 Gold Aberdeen hooks and 2 – 4 lb. test line.  At 12″ and 24″ above the bell sinker, add dropper lines with gold Aberdeen hooks.

Jigs for Crappie

Jigs are the most popular type of artificial bait used today. Jigs are literally a hook with a weight. They are used “as is” or gussied up with live bait or other artificial additions, such as feathers.

Here are some that are particularly good for crappie.

Flipping & Stand-Up Jigs – They are slow to sink and are great for pulling through weed beds.

Arrowhead Jigs - In rocky regions, these are great because they sink quickly.

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Fish Species Tips: Crappie Fishing

What is the Origin of the Name 'Crappie?' Answer at Article's End.

Crappie, like bluegill and bass, are members of the sunfish family.  Crappie have a variety of other names:  papermouths, timber perch, calico bass, speckled bass, strawberry bass and silver bass.

Facts in a Nutshell

The average life span for crappie is 4 to 5 years. At maturity, they are about 8 -10 inches long.  Crappie usually are in the 1 lb. range (although tournament- winners can weigh up to 5 lbs.).

Lakes and streams are their preferred habitats. They usually feed on insects and smaller fish. Oddly enough, they particularly enjoy eating the young of the larger fish that feed on them! This includes northern pike and walleye.*

Crappie and bass are two of the most popular fish that anglers persue. Why? Three reasons: They are plentiful (in the lower 48 states); once hooked, they put up a good fight and they taste g-r-e-a-t!

The Black and White of Crappie

Crappie come in 2 flavors: black and white.  For beginners, it’s not really important to be able to tell them apart.

The quick-and-dirty answer is that, besides being darker than the white, the black crappie have more dorsal spines (fins on top of the fish) than the white.

White crappie are less finicky  about water than blacks.  Black crappies prefer clearer water than whites.

Crappie Trivia

When I first heard the name of this fish, I thought someone was making a comment about the fish (and what he/she  thought of the species).   Since this is such a fun fish to wrangle on the other end of your rod, I couldn’t believe anyone could be so negative.

The name “crappie” (pronounced ‘CROP ee’) comes from the French Canadian phrase “crapet-soleil,” which means “sunfish.”

* This bit of info comes from Wikipedia.

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Next time: Let’s Go Crappie Fishing!

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This blog is a companion to my website: EasyOnlineOrdering.com

Fishing Success: Learning What Fish Know

Marine Biologists Make Great Anglers!

Some years ago, it suddenly became the rage to watch  anglers on TV — showing us how to catch fish.  At that time, I was a high school counselor, helping teens make decisions about their future careers.

Droves of kids wanted to be “TV fishermen.”  They wanted  to be ‘the next Jimmy Houston’ — hauling in fish and buckets of money.

The students’ assumption was that all they needed was the ‘gift of gab’ and some fishing skill.

They were stunned to find out that these folks, who were so successful at fishing, (generally) had degrees in marine biology!

In other words, the reason these anglers could repeatedly find and land trophy-winning specimens while millions of viewers watched, was because they had learned everything they could about their prey.

They had Learned What Fish Know!

Today, I’m going to start a new series on fishing.  These are basic things that are critical to your fishing success.

How Many Senses Do Fish Use?

Generally, fish have 4 senses and you have 5.  However, fish use their four senses SO effectively that WE seem to be at a disadvantage. Some would say that it is hardly a fair fight!

Fish have a great sense of sight, they have an incredible sense of smell, they can hear you thousands of feet away and they anticipate your moves through their sense of vibrations.

Without an understanding of your adversary’s skills, you will have a difficult time trying to out-smart them on their home turf!

Making Fish Eyes

Like us, fish have the sense of sight. However, It is probably their weakest sense! On average, they can see about 50 feet.

Most fish are very near-sighted, which means that you must cast a tasty morsel close to their location — for them to see it.  (They may find your bait through their other senses, but we are talking about the sense of sight now.)

Some fish, like trout, bass and walleye, have eyes that are poised to the front of their head, which increases their depth perception.  This means that they can see things in 3-D — like you can.

However, there are other fish with their eyes located on the sides of their head, which means that their range of vision is wider than average. Examples of this type of fish include minnows and crappie.

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Next time: Fish Senses & How They Use Them

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