Fishing for Rainbow Trout

[ChampionHead]

I'm new to Rainbow fishing. I took my 4-year old son with me last weekend to a stocked lake here in Hopkinton.<br /><br />We used the 150 HP Merc to troll with a small shiney silver spoon and landed six Rainbows in about 5 hours. I also pulled a wet fly with my fly rod and got zero! What gives? I thought for sure the fly would catch more Rainbows.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Fishing for Rainbow Trout

maybe its because you were moving too fast? i thought the flys are for floating with current. you know, the spoons appear as baitfish to a trout, but they probably were a little cautious seeing a tiny fly swimmin 5mph. hehehe

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Fishing for Rainbow Trout

One of the finer fresh water fish! The rainbow trout in the lakes around here like deeper clear water. It is a RARE occasion when they rise unless there is a decent amount of natural bugs in the area. Sounds like you did a fine job trolling for them. If it's not broke......<br /><br />I would retain the fly rod for the hatches, closer to shore (by a decent drop off) and the streams.<br /><br />Now if our "wonderful" New England weather would straighten out ...rumors of snow tonight <br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />Bob

 

[ChampionHead]

Re: Fishing for Rainbow Trout

Thanks for the helpful suggestions! At least this cold New England weather will keep the trout in the shallows and near the surface longer.<br /><br />I did see some action at the surface for about 15 minutes, but then it stopped. Yeah, I guess flies don't swim too fast. Next time I'll try casting with my flyrod when I see them at the surface.<br /><br />I can't wait to get out their again this weekend. I understand they also stock the old breeder salmon (7-10 lbs). I'd love to hook into one of those babies.

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Fishing for Rainbow Trout

Simple speeed and depth. The spoon sinks more than a fly would and the faster you pull something through the water the higher it rides. If you had been drifting the fly would have been a better choice as it would sink slow and stay in the zone better at the slower speed while the spoon would drag bottom. I would say use spoons for trolling and the flies for casting especially to rising or visible crusing fish. Also at the same time you are flyfishing your son could use a mepps spinner and catch fish by just casting and retrieving it. All this said I have to admit I am not the best trout fisherman in the world and perhaps about as far as you can get from it. I do know one more thing about trout if you have a day where all else fails and it is legal don't forget garden hackle (worms); minnows or sometimes tipping a jig with a live bait like a worm, waxworm, or minnow.

 

[ChampionHead]

Re: Fishing for Rainbow Trout

Hi Peter,<br /><br />I like the drifting idea. It's a little more relaxing than driving around the lake with the motor. I'll give it a shot this weekend.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Calvin

 

[DTB]

Re: Fishing for Rainbow Trout

I'm an avid fly fisher. speed was your problem for rainbow you want to be trolling about as slow as a 7hp can go. But if you know where the fish are your better off to stop and cast. Good Luck

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Fishing for Rainbow Trout

You are welcome. I like drifting too I use it a lot for cats and stripers. Ocasionally I get to go trout fishing in an upstate lake and we usually anchor and use livebait. What i love once or twice a year is heading to the mountians and fishing the rivers and creeks. Thus the introdution of flyfishing to my multi-species/technuqe angling.