FINDING OPENING DAY TROUT


© Louis Bignami
Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic

In much of the world opening day trout is a bit "Russian" i.e. a May Day activity. Getting ready for opening day trout seems more like rushing. The key, unfortunately for those who lag, is planning ahead.

This starts with the realization that most waters in most areas are far too cold, muddy or fast for the best results. Warmer, clearer, calmer is the key. This means stilwaters, spring creeks or impoundments. Granted this isn't the kind of thing we all wish, but it is the kind of thing that produces.

Warmer waters include smaller and shallower ponds and spring creeks that don't vary in temperature much through the year. Freestone creeks will, it should be noted, warm first at lower elevations, in watersheds that drain to the south to maximize solar warming, and, for the same reason, in open, as opposed to wooded areas.

However, stillwater keys teh best results. My favorite spots are shallow ponds at lower elevations with water temperatures in the 50s and 60's. In larger impoundments below the temperatures trout prefer you need to look for inlets that face south, are shallow and offer black or dark bottoms to better absorb warming solar rays.

Species selection improves efforts too. Lake trout and kokanee bite better in cooler waters. So do brook trout. Rainbows and cutthroat turn on next as waters warm, and brown trout prefer the highest temperatures of all -- see article on temperatures.

Methods relate to temperatures. At the lowest temperatures bait's best. Slow-moving lures come next. Then it's time for wet flies and such. Finally, as water warms enough for hatches you can switch to dry flies.

So take the time to scope out temperaturs and move to better conditions when you can and you'll improve your results.

Go To Page: 1


Post this Article to facebook Add this Article to del.icio.us! Digg this Article furl this Article Add this Article to Reddit Add this Article to Technorati Add this Article to Newsvine Add this Article to Windows Live Add this Article to Yahoo Add this Article to StumbleUpon Add this Article to BlinkLists Add this Article to Spurl Add this Article to Google Add this Article to Ask Add this Article to Squidoo