The Beginner's Guide to Trout Fishing

If you have ever dreamed of fishing a mountain stream and eating fresh caught trout for dinner then this is the how to article for you. While trout fishing can be complicated and expensive, there is really no need for it to be so. Our forefathers didn't have $2000 worth of fishing supplies to catch their supper yet they managed to do just fine. So let's get fishing!

We will first consider what you need to get started. You obviously need a rod and reel. I'll assume at this point that you already have something to use, but if not any decent quality spinning or spincast rig will do and they certainly can be bought for less than $30. Don't tell anyone, but when there is no one around to impress and fish to be caught I'll likely have my trusty Zebco 33 in hand. If the trout tend to be small in your area try one of the ultralight models to add fun and casting finesse. An inexpensive stringer or rope is needed as well to hold onto the fish once caught.

Except for in extreme cold, waders and wading boots are an optional accessory. Sturdy shoes and shorts will suffice just fine as long as the water isn't too cold. As far as tackle, the basics used in most other fish will work well with trout. Night crawlers, meal worms, or power bait are easily obtained and work well for bait fisherman. Small worms, small spoons, and small spinners work well for those who prefer artificial lures.

Once you get to the river where you are going to fish don't make the mistake of wading right in aimlessly. Study the water and see if trout are visible. If they are visible, cast up stream of them and try to get a bite. Bait should be dead drifted by casting and letting the river move it. It is an inexact science but you need to balance the free drift of the bait and keeping the slack to a minimum so that you can properly set the hook in the mouth. Lures should be cast upstream of visible fish and retrieved at varying speeds. Lures should be kept near the bottom, but not be drug across the bottom. Vary speeds of retrieve and find what is working that day.