Tips for Trout Fishing Success

Trout fishing can be a great challenge, especially in heavily fished waters. In West Virginia, where I do the majority of my trout fishing, there are many famous and popular trout streams. There are also some unknown, and often unnamed streams that hold trout. I have seen one person fish through a section, and not catch a fish. Two minutes later, another can fish through the same section and catch a fish on nearly every cast. What's the difference? Having the right information, and knowing how to catch fish. There are some tips and tricks that you can use to ensure that you catch more fish while out on the trout stream.

Learn to read the water. When you approach a stretch of water, it is imperative to read that stretch correctly. The first cast into a new run is the most productive, if you know where to cast. Look for breaks behind rocks mid-stream. Trout will lay in these breaks, and wait for food to flow around the rocks, and into their feeding lane. Outside curves in the stream are also a good place to look. Watch these areas first, and watch for feeding fish. Once you find fish, you can determine how to fish the water.

Be stealthy. Many people charge right into a stream, splashing all the way, and then cannot understand why they cannot get a hit in a prime location. Trout are, by nature, a very skittish fish. You must be cautious in your approach, especially if you are fishing for wild fish (as opposed to stocked trout). Approach the stream cautiously, keeping a low profile. Fish that see you will be very difficult to catch. When wading, do not splash any more than necessary, and approach fish from the down stream side if possible.