Trout Reports

[Lunker]

I have been battling the flu but absolutely had to get out of the house yesterday. I hit one stretch for about 2 hours and was exhausted and had to call it a day.fishing was decent, with 12 browns and 2 brooks to hand.

With the low snow amounts we had before the melt, streams have already cleared up or close to it. Water levels are low for this time of year.

[DARK30]

I'm Ready!

[Lunker]

Feeling better today and wanted to try and find some bigger fish and new water today. Hit a few lower stretches I haven't fished before of the bigger streams/rivers in my area. Found some great looking water, didn't land anything big, but caught about 25 browns or so using various presentations. Lost the two biggest of the day, one of which I think was really nice but never got a look.

Even the lower parts of the bigger streams were pretty clear with the exception of one. For those fly guys, I haven't seen much insect activity stream side or in the water despite the temps and haven't seen a rise from a fish yet this spring.

[Lunker]

Short outing today, cool and cloudy after heavy rains yesterday. Figured most streams would be muddy so went smaller and upstream. First stop looked like cappuccino, and only fished a few minutes with no fish before heading to a stream I knew would be clear, which it was. Fished two short stretches. 2 hours, 31 browns to hand if my count was on. Nothing very big but there was lots of action. Fish were active, saw lots of rises today for the first time.

[DrJuice1980]

I hit a trout stream that I did very well the last few years on Saturday but blanked. I did not even see a fish. All my good spots were ghost towns. I did see plenty of food though. I tried downstream and the same. I think I'll move more upstream this weekend.

Any thoughts?

[JP Z]

Lunker, what are you throwing?

Thanks much!

[DrJuice1980]

looks like a panther in that first picture

[Lunker]

Yesterday was primarily a spinner (panther). Been mostly rotating between those and soft plastic swim baits this spring.

[JP Z]

Duh! Missed the Panther in the first pict. What size lures do you throw most? Curious on the swimbaits, which ones are you tossing. Getting ready for MN opener in 2 weekends!

[DrJuice1980]

looks like an 1/8. I was throwing 1/4s. The size depends on the flow for me.

[rascal23]

JPZ,

You do the trout thing too. Kinda glad MN does'nt have a bass season like SD - it might take away from my trout fishing. Where you going for opener? We usually go to Whitewater, sometimes Forestville, week after opener. Yo-zuri pins minnow - outstanding!!

rascal

[Lunker]

I was throwing a little size 2 that day, but it was a small, shallow steam. As someone mentioned, spinner size will vary a bit based on conditions

[delcecchi]

So Panther Martins work for trout? I have fished them in lakes (not for trout)and never caught anything.

How about Mepps?

[JBMasterAngler]

Mepps are the best.

[delcecchi]

Thanks. I have only fished flies, and an occasional crawler, for trout.

[JBMasterAngler]

Little rebel craws and rebel frogs should be in your arsenal as well.

[rascal23]

Panther Martins are a great spinner for trout, used em for many years. Used to use bait quite a bit too, water worms, half crawlers. Then I started using rapalas, 7's mostly. Now I have a Yo-zuri pins minnow on 90% of the time, twitching it like a jerkbait for bass. Spinners in fast chutes and riffles - minnowbaits in all trouty places.

rascal

[DrJuice1980]

I was a Mepps, rooster, arctic, whatever guy. But last year I crushed them with the panthers. They give a better vibration I believe. Even more than that sonic? rooster. They are my go to. I still will tie something else if I need the color.

However I will always have crawlers or leaf worms with me. I also use a variety of shallow raps.

Getting excited...

[DrJuice1980]

Blanked again yesterday. Saw plenty of suckers and chubs. Trying different presentations and still nothing. I've always done well on this stretch. Moved down and a little bit up, no results. Been fishing SE MN.

Any suggestions?

[delcecchi]

Blanked again yesterday. Saw plenty of suckers and chubs. Trying different presentations and still nothing. I've always done well on this stretch. Moved down and a little bit up, no results. Been fishing SE MN.

Any suggestions?

That stretch of what? Clue as to which stream? Not like they are secrets.

[DrJuice1980]

Its not a secret to those that want to dump mattresses, tvs, recliners (now burnt), animal pelts, bricks and cinder blocks, McDonalds bags, etc...

[JIvers]

Don't forget small crankbaits in neutral colors. I prefer sinking Rapalas in the #3 and 3% size, gray and black or Brown trout colors.

Small plugs will sometimes outperform spinners when the water is very clear, i.e. later in the summer and early fall. Not so much in the dirty water typical for spring.

[JIvers]

I have never been a fan of Mepps spinners for trout. They put on extra beads and details that seem to add nothing but a dollar or so to the price tag. The more stripped down Worden spinners work better for me. Larger ones for muddy water, smaller ones for clearer conditions. Nothing but silver blades with black squirrel hair in my small tackle box.

[JBMasterAngler]

Its not a secret to those that want to dump mattresses, tvs, recliners (now burnt), animal pelts, bricks and cinder blocks, McDonalds bags, etc...

I was at that creek on saturday. I seen the animal pelt and couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was!

As far as suckers go, I was having the same problem on a different creek on was on earlier that same day. When the suckers are running, does that negatively effect the trout at all?

[DrJuice1980]

How somebody can just dump all that garbage in a state forest like that is beyond me. I get the Micky D's bags here and there but to bring your couch, mattress, frame, and recliners? That guy deserves an arse kicking.