Trout Fishing Tips

Most people know that trout and salmon are the same family (salmonid). Char, grayling and whitefish also belong to the salmonid family.

One of the things that distinguishes fish in the salmonid family from other fish is that salmonids (trout, salmon, char, grayling and whitefish) need clean, cool water and a healthy habitat to live in. This why invasive species and plants are such a big deal when found in these environments - they threaten the population of salmonids.

Of the salmonids, trout and salmon are very closely related and most trout anglers enjoy catching salmon and vice versa.

Just as there are many different species of trout (rainbow, brown, brook, lake, apache, gila, steelhead, etc.), there are different species of salmon (coho, chinook, Atlantic, sockeye, and chum).

And to the untrained eye, it can sometimes be difficult identifying your catch (especially since these fish have a lot of similar characteristics).

The easiest way to to tell the difference between salmon and trout (when in doubt) is to count the number of rays on the anal fin.

All trout have 12 or less rays in this fin, whereas salmon have 13 or more rays.

This rule is an interesting bit of trivia, it can be useful in helping you identify the difference between trout and salmon.

Labels: difference between trout and salmon, salmon, trout

Yesterday, I mentioned that in order to catch trout consistently, you need to understand the science behind trout fishing. Today, I wanted to elaborate a bit more about that.

Trout are cold-blooded fish. They require cool and clean water to survive. Most trout species require water temperatures that are 50- 68 degrees Fahrenheit (or 10-20 degrees Celsius). Some trout species (like lake and steelhead trout) do alright in cooler water. But generally speaking, stick to the 50-68 degree rule.

When the water is cooler than this, trout become lethargic and are not interested in feeding. When water temperatures get above 70 degrees, trout start to suffocate - and lose interest in feeding. Survival becomes the most important thing on a trout's mind in both extremes. They will try and find water that makes them more comfortable.

Knowing this will help you catch trout in difficult weather conditions. Trout may have to head for deeper cooler water (common in lakes) or find deeper shaded water (common in rivers and streams). Either way, if you want to catch trout you'll have to be aware of water temperatures and how they affect trout.

Trout can also see, smell, and sense vibrations in the water. Ever walked up to a river bank and saw a trout swim off in a hurry? He saw you coming and swam away for protection.

Knowing trout can see you coming is especially important in rivers, streams and creeks where water tends to be quite a bit shallower. You'll want to approach cautiously so as not to spook any fish.

Trout have a lateral line that runs down the side of their body and it allows them to sense movement and vibration in the water. This line help trout sense prey and predators nearby. It also helps them sense your spinner or lure which may be nearby.

Lures and spinners are very effective in catching trout because they emit vibration and flash in the water as they work - which allow trout to see or feel their presence from a greater distance. In cold water when trout are lethargic, lures and spinners can excite a trout from a greater distance and entice them into striking.

But if you didn't understand that trout were lethargic due to their current water temperature and won't exert a lot of effort in feeding at that moment, you might miss the opportunity to catch them using this proven technique. And this is the difference between a random lucky catch and a seasoned pro knowing exactly what to do and when in order to catch more trout.

Hopefully this is starting to make some sense. If not, post a comment. Next, we'll look at some of the differences between lake and river fishing.

Labels: How to catch trout, trout