This is a basic overview of a few concepts about trout fishing.

General information    Trout Vision    Trout Smell    Trout Hearing    Water & Habitat    Trout Baits    Rod/Line Setups

 Concepts - I hope this summary helps your fishing experience.

Fishing builds patience. Not everyone catches fish all of the time.  We all have days where it looks perfect and we get skunked. There is no quick catch all to successful trout fishing.  It is based upon little items. Each item provides a little better chance of catching a trout. Combining many elements together can increase your success quite a bit. Many are just simple things. Some can get complex. Understanding a little bit about fish, the environment, and the skills you develop will give you a more enjoyable fishing experience. Not to mention the opportunity to take your fish home and cook them (Recipes coming soon).

Ever wonder how some fisherman can go fishing and magically catch fish quickly. OR You are fishing next to someone and you think you are doing exactly the same thing but they are catching left/right and you get nothing? It can get frustrating and it can be rewarding.  There are some guidelines to understand and some science. Just understand the environment you are in. Its like going to a different country. You should have a understanding of that culture as you would hope they would of yours.

Here are some Basics:
1. Don't wear bright colors. Blend in a bit with your surroundings.
2. Don't fish with your shadow in the water. Don't move around fast. If you think you are moving slow then slow down more. Fish are sensitive to movement and shadows.
3. If there are boats around you or a lot of running/playing near your spot then move to a quieter place as the fish have probably already left the area you are in.
    The boat shadows, movements and the sounds can scare them off.
4. Rinse your hands with the area sand and water before you bait up. Trout are really sensitive to unfamiliar smells. Bug spray, cigarette smoke, sweat, sun screen,
    food, sanitizers, etc are all foreign smells and may cause them to steer clear of your bait before they even see it.
5. If possible use as little weight on your line as needed. Don't throw rocks in the water. The splash along with the shadows can scare them off.
6. If you can see the fish then be pretty sure the fish has already seen you and is on edge.
7. Watch other fisherman that catch fish. Trout tend to swim in groups (schools).How far out, length of leaders, types of bait, fishing style, etc. may help you catch also. Most fisherman are happy to share with you how they are catching. Don't be to over zealous or lengthy though - remember they are there to relax and enjoy fishing so respect privacy and enjoyment.
8. If you aren't getting bites, try to find the fish. Use a different bait or color, casting distance, leader lengths. Fish don't like eating the same thing over and over.
    Mix it up a bit. Fish are hundreds of times more sensitive with their environment than we are.
9. Trout need oxygen and cooler waters. In warmer / low oxygen waters they get docile (slow) and don't move or eat as actively. Find shade/aerated waters or go deeper.
10. Trout are sensitive to light. During peak sun hours they may move deeper.

 THIS is my opinion. Be courteous. Show some respect. Keep what you catch.

Personally no one likes walking around the lake picking up dead fish after people because they didn't like the size or just don't want it keep it.
If you touch a fish you rub off some of its protective coating - It most likely will die from disease later.
If you take it out of the water , as it is already exhausted from you catching it - it will most likely die.
If you pull the hook out of it, which means you touched it, took it out of the water and ripped a hook out of it - it will most likely die.
It is disheartening to  see people catch a fish and throw it back with needless regard for the fishes health or our environment.
1. 
2.  Is that stinky fishy smell from a dead fish eft lying around from the last person or thrown in the trash can or bushes? Don't do it to the fish or next person.
3.  Your child playing on the shore with a dead fish lying around. Take your fish home.

How good fisherman do catch and release with courtesy and respect.
1.  Use only lures and jigs with barbless hooks.
2.  Do not touch the fish with your hands, cloth or anything, it will wipe their protective oils off their skin.
3.  Keep the fish in the water at all times. Trout exert a lot of energy when caught and are very tired when you pull them in.
4.  If the hook is in the lip gently remove the hook with your tool keeping the fish in the water at all times. Do not shake, yank or jerk the fish around.
5.  If the fish swallowed the hook then you must keep the fish.
6.  There is NO catch and release using anything other than #1 above. That means if you use power bait or worms then you must keep the fish.
 
Its all about having fun fishing and showing respect to the environment.

General information    Trout Vision    Trout Smell    Trout Hearing    Water & Habitat    Trout Baits    Rod/Line Setups

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