Post Spring Trout Techniques Here

[Kyle]

I will be fishing a series of ponds this spring for rainbows. I know what these trout like to eat in the summer, but was wondering what a good early spring bait or lure would be? I dont have a fly rod, but thought I could get away with using a regular spining rod while using flies. I've been hearing that chronomid's and Cadis flies are key in early spring, but I am about as rookie as you can get with knowing anything about flies. So the question is, do I use flies, and if so what kinds. Floating or sinking. If not what are some other good ideas for those early rainbows?

Thanks for any response!

[DEADhead]

if you are going to use a spinning rod setup and want to throw out flies, I suggest trying out beadhead wooly bugger or leech patterns. Even the leadhead crappie jigs with marabou tails would work. Something in the 1/64 or 1/100 ounce range. you can fish them like jigging a minnow, or let them fall to the bottom after the cast and slowly work a retrieve like a leech or crawdad.

It's possible to use chronomid patterns with a spinning rod, or even mayfly or caddis nymph/larvae, but I think that it may be difficult to cast out the fly out without significant added weight, while maintaining a relistic presentation in your retrieve.

If I were you and were gonna fish a spinning rod, I would be using spinners, raps, or powerbait. If you want to cast out flies, your best bet would be with a fly rod. I'm sure others on here may have a different opinion.

Good luck and tight lines!

[mark p]

I have seen people out west use a casting bubble with their spinning gear so that they can cast out a ways. The bubble is kind of like a clear bobber. It gives you something with some weight to cast. My brother in law caught a few using a caddis with this setup on a lake out west so I have seen it work.

[DEADhead]

yeah! I forgot about that. I was just reading an article about the plastic bubble in the latest issue of Salmon, Trout, Steelheader. The bubble is filled with water. Rig the bubble about three to four feet above your fly. Fill the bubble full in lakes for maximum casting distance, less full in rivers to avoid bouncing on the bottom. I just saw some at the store today in fact....

That would definitely be the ticket for throwing out flies with a spinning rod.

[Kyle]

I will definatly try the bubble. I am also planning to buy some power bait. Last year I tried a few spinners, but had no luck. I keep hearing that spinners are great, but so far my own experiences are condradicting those statments. Also, being that I know nothing about flies. What should I look for when buying?

What are you thoughts?

[Maashkinoozhe]

Keep in mind that if the creek/stream is running clear that the trout can be spooked easily. Many trout fisherman are keep slow, low and deliberate on their approach to the stream. If it's a little muddy, then you don't have to be as careful. Also, trout orient themselves to face upcurrent, which means if you're downstream from them, they're less likely to see you. If your spinning, don't pitch the lures right on top of their heads - they don't like that. You want your lure to cross their field of vision, but you don't want to splash the water right on top of them. I also recommend looking at some fly-fishing books even if you don't fly fish. Fly fishing books are chock full of info on how to read a stream, how to approach a stream, what trout eat, what times they eat. You can glean a lot of info from them and apply it to spinning. Sooner or later, though, I would recommend that you try fly fishing. It's a very different feel from spinning.

Dave D.

[DARK30]

A clear stream with bright sunshine is tough. ...better to fish low light periods then. I love "sneak n cast" for trout! Hope the Root goes down soon.

Don't forget the plastics

[EsaysFISHON]

After my first year of being the greenhorn in s SE MN trout camp and "wormin' it", but only reeling in the little ones (less than 8"), one of the fellers let it slip out the following year that most of the rest of them were also pocketing/using trout pattern Rapalas with their spinning reels. If fishing a larger stream or river, I won't use anything else now as I've had three years in a row of early spring success using that method, albeit a majority of browns with occasional rainbows (about 3:1). Crimp down the treble barbs so that the put backs have a chance to become the occasional eater or released trophy. If you get a rainy weekend and the river's shut down due to runoff, a splitshot, red hook and part of a crawler in small streams still will catch you something, but son't be surprised to see non-trout in the mix as well. I'm anxious to give the bubble method a try now too. -E-

[JP Z]

I'm a fan of #0 and #1 Panther Martins. Of course Rapalas are great too. I would also try some plastics. If your rivers are anything like the ones I fish, then the Suckers will be thick enough to walk on. This generally poses a problem as any trout in the area are gorging themselves on Sucker Roe. I am going to bring some egg patterns this spring, but overall I don't know of any good ways to beat the suckers.....anyone?

[ironman]

If ya cant beat em join em.

Start fishing for suckers, great fight on light gear. Besides if your trying to catch suckers...you'll prolly olny catch trout..that's usually how it works. I love the spring sucker run.

[DEADhead]

what are some good patterns for suckers?

[Ron Burgundy]

Night crawlers,sinkers,the bottom, lawn chair, v-stick, and plenty of cold beverages.

[WxGuy]

There's a guy who ties up corn flies that are apparently great flies for carp. A search for "corn fly" might turn something up for you...

[ironman]

I found out yesterday on the rush..didn't catch any trout but caught three suckers. A red worm immitation.

[EatSleepFish]

Wow! bet that sucker put up a good fight, is your red word imitation A.K.A San Juan worm tied out of mini chenelle? if so what size hook?

[Ron Burgundy]

A Rush Creek cockroach.

[ironman]

Dont have the specifics on the fly as I bought it from cabela's. I think the hook size is about a 16. The fish had one good run im em and that was about it...it was a pretty small pool...so they didn't have anywhere to go really. Still fun though.