“Stream Trout Fishing”  

By Gary Ramsey, Published in the Adirondack Express on June 17, 2008

 

When I was a boy, my dad took me trout fishing.  He setup  my pole with a hook, worm small sinker and bobber.  We’d sneak up on a hole, throw the line in and wait.  We’d fish a hole for 45 minutes to an hour and them move to the next hole.  From this boyhood experience, I didn’t care much for fishing.  For me, sitting on the bank for hours waiting for the bobber to dunk under was boring.   I love outdoor sports, but I’m the type that needs to be busy all the time.  Even when I am sitting in a tree stand, I am actively glassing the terrain for game.  Although sitting on a stream bank can be a peaceful experience, it’s just not for me.  

 

Years later, I began reading articles and watching videos on a different technique for fishing trout waters.  This method doesn’t involve live bait, bobbers, sinkers and most importantly, at least for me, didn’t involve sitting on the banks watching that silly old bobber.  Today, I fish trout streams with light tackle and spinners. 

 

To catch trout, you need to first find them.  Two sources I use are the “Adirondack Fishing” booklet from the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council @ VisitAdirondacks.com.  This publication is an angler’s guide to the lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in the Adirondack Park.  The second resource is the “Western Adirondacks Fishing Map Guide” by The Sportsman’s Connection @ Sportsmansconnection.com.  Both publication show maps with a narrative description for each body of water including fish type and estimated population.  Another great way to find good trout water is to visit local bait and tackle shops.  Folks in these shops generally have expert knowledge of the best spots in their area. 

 

After locating a trout stream of interest, study a topo map to determine where the best trout fishing will be.  A trout stream can be divided into three distinct sections, headwaters,  mid section and tail.  The mid section is referred to as classic trout water.  The headwaters are the beginning of the stream and is characterized by sallow, often spring fed water with a rocky bottom.  Due to the shallowness, lack of good cover and the speed of the water, headwaters usually contain the smallest fish. The mid section, or classic waters, is wider, deeper with pools or eddy’s.   This section will have plenty of cover from downed trees, stumps, over hanging  branches and large rocks creating idea habitat for an abundance of trout.  The mid section will contain the highest numbers of trout in a stream.  The tail section typically winds through open country and  is full of silt or sand due to erosion along the banks.  In addition, the openness and width of the tail will produce warmer water that trout don’t like.  The tail section ends in larger rivers, streams or lakes.  Although marginal for numbers, the tail section will hold the largest trout. 

 

The key to fishing a trout stream is to start in the tail and work your way up stream because the trout will be facing up stream allowing you to approach from the rear.  Trout spook easily, so it is important to work your way up stream carefully using as much natural cover as possible.  This may sound silly, but wearing camo clothing is a good idea.   Since the trout are facing up stream, you want to fish each hole from the rear, then the middle and the top last.  My trout stream tackle includes a 5’ 6” light action rod, open bail spinning reel with 6# line.  I only carry spinners and I prefer the Mepps® brand.  A spinner is an artificial bait that has a shank with usually three hooks attached to it.  Attached to the shank is a small oval piece of metal that spins as it’s pulled through the water.  Spinners come either plain or dressed.  Dressed spinners have squirrel hair attached to the shank to disguise the hooks.  Mepps numbers their spinners from 0 to 6, with the #0’s being the smallest.  When fishing the tail, I use larger spinners for the larger fish.  Normally I will use #2’s,  #3’s and #4’s.  When moving to the mid section, I use #1’s, #2’s and maybe #3’s if it‘s a larger hole.  I don’t fish the headwaters because the fish are just too small.  If you do want to fish the headwater, use #0’s and #1’s. 

 

I fish each hole a certain way.  From the bottom of the hole I will make a straight cast up stream (always cast upstream) and bring it back with the current.  Next, I move up to the middle of the hole and cast up stream only this time I bring it back quartering (right angle) to the current.  For the third cast, I will move to the top of the hole and cast up stream and then “jig” it back.  Jigging is a technique that is often over looked by trout fisherman.  To jig, you let the bait sink to the bottom and then jerk it up and forward and continually repeat the process.  When jigging, you are attempting to imitate an injured minnow, the trout’s preferred forage.  And finally, if there is a high bank side, I will do one more cast by jigging straight down into the top of the hole from the high bank.  That’s it!  About 3 or 4 casts per hole and then I move upstream to the next hole and start over.  I am attempting to pick off the trout in each section of the hole and in each section of the stream without spooking the fish that are lying upstream facing forward.  Now, this is my kind of fishing.  You’re always active and your moving right along.  When fishing this way, it’s not uncommon to cover two, three or maybe even four miles of stream.  If fishing with a partner, it may be advantageous to leave one vehicle at the starting point and another at the other end, if possible. 

 

To round out my equipment, I carry a basket for the keepers, small net, polarized sun glasses (takes the glare off the water), hip waders, needle nose pliers and a 3” pocket knife to clean fish.  I use the Mepps Aglia® brand of spinners and they make a handy 3 and 6 lure kit in a plastic box. 

My dad passed away when I was just 20.  I sure wish he as still around so we could go fishing together the “new” way.  If you are fortunate enough to still have your father around and if you’re both able, grab some light tackle and head for a good trout stream.  Don’t ever take for granted that the time you have together will be endless.   Enjoy the great outdoors with you family and children as much as you can as you never know what tomorrow will bring.