How do I choose the right lure for the conditions?
Basic rule of thumb for trout is bright lures on bright days, dark or dull lures on cloudy or overcast days. When using metals gold coloured or polished brass tends to out-fish silver or chrome by a factor of around two to one. Throughout history there have been two groups of tried and tested trout lures: Spoon Lures • Lures that are dish shaped resembling the end of a spoon, though there are some very innovative shapes and actions on the market these days.
- The best spoons being those combining a wide swaying action with an accentuated body roll. In-line spinner blades
- A combination of one or more blades and clevis in combination with body and trailing hook constructed on a thin wire shaft.
- Usually between 3g and 8g depending on the size of the fish targeted and the depth of the stream.
How may I optimise my fishing time while targeting the best areas?
You need to understand a trout's behaviour in order to target the most productive areas, hence maximise your catch. Trout are endowed with exceptional eyesight and use it to great effect when hunting prey. It is imperative that anglers stay try to dress in dull clothing, stay out of sight as best they can and avoid making any sudden movements. Additionally, trout’s basic instinct is to migrate upstream and swimming against the current in fast flowing streams is a tough task for even the best fish. As a result trout often choose to rest along the way by suspending behind large obstacles such as boulders and logs which deflect the flow of the water, essentially floating in an eddy. Furthermore, they are akin to lying in depressions of the creek bed effectively allowing flowing water to pass right over them. Wild food sources suspended in the stream are washed over waiting fish providing perfect conditions for ambush feeding. Strikes produced from such situations are often explosive and hard hitting.
What is the most effective technique?
Begin at the most downstream point of the area you plan to fish and work your way upstream. As stated before, trout instinctively migrate upstream and are almost always facing into the current at any given time. By casting upstream from a downstream vantage the angler is essentially hidden from view. Cast a lure upstream and retrieve at a speed that is slightly faster than the current thus allowing the lures natural action to come into play as it passes over waiting fish. At times trout can prove a fickle fish, especially brown trout, so you may need to make up to a dozen casts over the area in order to induce a strike. My personal go to lures listed in order of preference are:
1. Original Dardevl Spoon – 5g in gold hammertone finish.
2. GT-BIO Cicada I Spoon – 5g in gold colour
3. Rublex Celta – 5g black (original French version not the remake)
4. GT-BIO Fractured Fish – 5g in silver (better on larger fish)
5. Mepps Minnow – Silver blade with slate grey coloured minnow
6. Pro-Spin Stacker – 5g Fluorescent orange with brass willow blade
