Trout fishing often brings with it images of an angler wading knee-deep in a picturesque northern stream, his fly rod whipping back and forth with grace and precision. These images may give some the impression that trout are pretentious, highly selective fish that can't be easily caught.
This is simply not so.
The truth is that trout are fairly easy to catch, especially in a tiny mountain stream. You can catch trout all day long with a simple push-button rod-and-reel. You can even catch trout with a cane pole if you're using live bait and the stream is small enough so that casting isn't necessary.
Trout will readily hit live bait such as earthworms or salmon eggs. In fact, live bait is prohibited in areas with high fishing pressure to prevent overfishing. If that's not a testament to the effectiveness of live bait on freshwater trout, I don't know what is.
Trout will also strike almost anything that's shiny. Metallic lures such as spoons and inline spinners are extremely effective. Silver works better in some areas while gold is preferred in other areas so it's a good idea to have equal amounts of both colors in your tackle box.
When sizing up the stream, look for deep pools, areas of slack current, behind boulders and under steep cut-banks. Cast or drop your line into these areas and you will sometimes get a strike before your bait settles to the bottom.
Trout scare easily and are sensitive to vibrations on the bank. Don't just march up to the stream and start slinging your rod around. Instead, try gently casting in from a distance.
You can also sneak up to the creek's edge on your knees or, better yet, on all fours. Then it's a simple matter of dangling your bait into the water. This was taught to me a long time ago by an outfitter in Wyoming and it really works over cut-banks on the outer edges of meandering streams.
Check local regulations as some areas prohibit the use of live bait. These are the areas where you will want to use your spoons and spinners. Other regulations such as the requirement of single rather than treble hooks may apply in your area as well.
You don't have to learn to be a master fly angler to enjoy trout fishing in a mountain stream. If there's a fish in the water, ordinary spinning tackle can catch it. It's all a question of finding the bait they like and trying your luck!
Michael W Gibson is an avid outdoor enthusiast and has been fishing since he was a child in the mid-1980s. He currently manages several websites including Campfire Zen, an up-and-coming website dedicated to all things camping and outdoor-related.
Check out Campfire Zen at http://www.campfirezen.com
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