Tips for Spring Trout Fishing--FOR OUR CROTON RIVER FISHERMEN!
Water temperatures can be cold in the spring due to snowmelt and cold rains. If water temperatures are low (35-40°F) look for trout holding in deeper, slower moving water. Slow drifts and getting your lure (try heavy nymphs) down near the bottom to these less active fish can improve your chances of getting bites. Drifting worms or salted minnows through deep holes is also a great option for these cold, less active fish.
If you’re unsure where trout are feeding in the water column, trying rigging two flies, one large dry fly, with a sinking nymph tied as a dropper off the bend of the hook of the dry fly. This way trout have their choice of whether to feed on the surface or under water.
Don’t be afraid to walk. NYS has plentiful access along trout streams whether it be public fishing rights, state lands, or parks. The anglers that are willing to walk further from the parking lot and away from where most of the other anglers are fishing will often be rewarded for putting in the extra effort. DECinfo Locator and the Tackle Box feature in the HuntFishNY app are free map-based interfaces for finding these trout stream access spots throughout the state.
Many of the major insect hatches of mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies occur in the spring and trout, whether they’re stocked fish or wild fish, will gorge themselves on these easy meals. You can search for hatch charts online or call a local fly shop to find out what hatches are likely occurring in your area, as well as what flies you should use to imitate them. However, spin fishing anglers can learn from insect hatches as well. Anglers that prefer spin fishing should have success throwing tiny lures like gulp grubs, and trout magnets. They may not necessarily imitate anything, but they roughly have the same size and profile as the insects that trout are accustomed to eating. If you do find yourself using baitfish imitations still think small. For example, small spoons and spinners will often outperform larger lures you might use for bass and other species.
Once the water warms (50°F), spinners are a great option to cover a lot of water to find active fish. Make sure to have a high-quality snap swivel to prevent line from twisting up on your reel. Cast the spinner at a 45° angle downstream and let it slowly work across the stream on a tight line. Take a couple casts in a location and move on. This is a great way to cover a lot of water in a short amount of time.
Large spring storms can “blow out” trout streams by increasing the flows and turbidity (the amount of sediment in the stream), so it’s good to get into the habit of checking US Geological Survey’s (USGS) flow graphs before you head out. Doing so can drastically increase your success in trout fishing. Learning what flows a trout stream fishes best at, as well as when it’s too high to fish/too dangerous to wade, can really make or break your fishing trip.
Online Trout Fishing Resources:
I FISH NY Guide to Trout Fishing in Streams (PDF)
I FISH NY Guide to Trout Fishing with Synthetic Bait (PDF)
I FISH NY Guide to Brook Trout Fishing in Adirondack Ponds (PDF)
Fly Fishing the Catskills (PDF)
If you’re unsure where trout are feeding in the water column, trying rigging two flies, one large dry fly, with a sinking nymph tied as a dropper off the bend of the hook of the dry fly. This way trout have their choice of whether to feed on the surface or under water.
Don’t be afraid to walk. NYS has plentiful access along trout streams whether it be public fishing rights, state lands, or parks. The anglers that are willing to walk further from the parking lot and away from where most of the other anglers are fishing will often be rewarded for putting in the extra effort. DECinfo Locator and the Tackle Box feature in the HuntFishNY app are free map-based interfaces for finding these trout stream access spots throughout the state.
Many of the major insect hatches of mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies occur in the spring and trout, whether they’re stocked fish or wild fish, will gorge themselves on these easy meals. You can search for hatch charts online or call a local fly shop to find out what hatches are likely occurring in your area, as well as what flies you should use to imitate them. However, spin fishing anglers can learn from insect hatches as well. Anglers that prefer spin fishing should have success throwing tiny lures like gulp grubs, and trout magnets. They may not necessarily imitate anything, but they roughly have the same size and profile as the insects that trout are accustomed to eating. If you do find yourself using baitfish imitations still think small. For example, small spoons and spinners will often outperform larger lures you might use for bass and other species.
Once the water warms (50°F), spinners are a great option to cover a lot of water to find active fish. Make sure to have a high-quality snap swivel to prevent line from twisting up on your reel. Cast the spinner at a 45° angle downstream and let it slowly work across the stream on a tight line. Take a couple casts in a location and move on. This is a great way to cover a lot of water in a short amount of time.
Large spring storms can “blow out” trout streams by increasing the flows and turbidity (the amount of sediment in the stream), so it’s good to get into the habit of checking US Geological Survey’s (USGS) flow graphs before you head out. Doing so can drastically increase your success in trout fishing. Learning what flows a trout stream fishes best at, as well as when it’s too high to fish/too dangerous to wade, can really make or break your fishing trip.
Online Trout Fishing Resources:
I FISH NY Guide to Trout Fishing in Streams (PDF)
I FISH NY Guide to Trout Fishing with Synthetic Bait (PDF)
I FISH NY Guide to Brook Trout Fishing in Adirondack Ponds (PDF)
Fly Fishing the Catskills (PDF)
No comments:
Post a Comment