Trout Fishing Techniques

At this time of year, many anglers turn their attention to fishing, not only fishing, but trout fishing. Many of these same anglers consider simply tying on a size 4 hook, 'threading' I live worm onto that hook, and casting it out into the water to be trout fishing. While this might be technically true, in reality this is far from fishing. In my favorite movie, A River Runs Through It, the reverend McLain is quoted as saying, "Anyone who does not know how to catch a fish should not be able to disgrace a fish by catching it". He was referring to flea flicking, a practice I abhor, but the sentiment is nonetheless true. Many anglers should not be allowed to disgrace trout by catching them in the aforementioned manner. Below, I'm going to reveal some very effective trout fishing techniques so that you can stop disgracing these beautiful fish.

• Natural Presentation - One of the best trout fishing techniques is to present your bait in the most natural way possible. Just for your information, the most natural way possible is not "threading" a worm onto a hook or creating what I like to call a "worm ball" by hooking a worm onto a hook over and over again. The most natural way to present live bait (especially worms) is through the use of gang hooks. Gang hooks are simply a pair of small hooks tied in tandem, thus enabling the angler to present live worms in an outstretched and natural manner. The best way to achieve a natural presentation is through the use of gang hooks.
• Efficient Bait Transportation - This may sound strange, but trout cannot be caught without your line being in the water. The more time that can be spent with your line in the water the more trout that will be caught, it's as simple as that. A great way to spend more time with your line in the water is employing a bait bag to carry your bait. This way you're not fumbling around looking for your bait, it's right there at your fingertips, ready to be used. The use of a bait bag saves a ton of time and enables you to spend more time with your line in the   water.
• Watch Your Shadow - Trout are a very skittish fish. If they detect your shadow, they won't bite. Especially large trout. Sure small, inexperienced trout may still bite, but large ones will not if they detect a shadow, which of course means something foreign in their environment. Pay attention to your shadow being cast on the water and you will catch more trout.
• Smell Matters - Trout have a very sensitive sense of smell. They can smell foreign substances on baits, and if they do, they are much less apt to bite. I remedy this problem by rubbing a clump of grass or handful of dirt in my hands before fishing and periodically during the day. Doing this will help you catch more trout. Again, this isn't such a big deal with small, inexperienced trout, but it is with larger fish.

These simple techniques will help you catch more trout, which is what we're all looking for, right? Remember nothing increases your catch rates like practice. The better angler you become, the more fish you will catch. At the end of the day fishing isn't rocket science, it's just fishing after all.