| LURES
Spinners:
Spinners probably
account for more trout being caught than any other method of fishing. There
are many different styles to choose from, they all work well. In low water
conditions, use a smaller spinner (#1 or #2). In high water conditions,
use the larger spinners (#3 or #4).
Floating minnows:
Floating artificial
minnow lures work very well. As you reel the lure in, it has a tendency
to dive towards the bottom. Slightly jerk your rod tip as you're reeling
and these lures give the impression of an injured minnow struggling in
the current. These lures account for some really large trout being caught.
Spoons:
Small flutter
spoons work well, if the spoon is designed for shallow water. Spoons have
a tendency to sink very quickly. Keep them off the bottom, or you will
get hung up.
FLIES
You could read
a mountain of material on different flies, if confusion is what you want.
Keeping it very simple, but correct, is the best way to start out fly fishing.
There are literally
dozens of flies that hatch off the water, called mayflies and caddis flies,
with fancy names for each one.
Dry flies:
Most mayfly
and caddis fly imitations should resemble what is hatching off the water.
The thinner and sparser the fly is tied, the more it looks like the real
thing to a trout. A lot of flies on the market are pleasing to the fisherman's
eye, with all the color and nice wings tied in, but the silhouette the
trout sees is a different story. Many times on the water, these nice looking
flies look like a giant blob to a fish. Also, color is an important factor
on dry flies. Most fly bodies are a yellow to olive color, or a tan/olive
color. If you look closely at most flies, they are not as dark as they
first appear, therefore, it is strongly recommended that you use flies
with a yellow to olive colored body. There are many different shade variations
of the yellow to olive color body. Size can really make the difference.
#14 to #16 flies are normal. Sometimes when the fly hatches are very small,
you will have to use #18 flies, and smaller. I don't recommend these to
beginner fly fishers, because they are harder to cast and see. As you get
more accomplished at fly fishing, these smaller flies can be the best choice.
Nymphs:
Nymphs are
the stage of the mayfly and caddis fly that live in the rocks on the stream
bottom, before the fly emerges and hatches from the water. Ninety percent
of all trout are feeding on these at any given time. Nymphs generally are
a bit darker than their hatching cousins. Grey, brown, and green are good
colors for nymphs, with a touch of sparkle in them to attract a fish. Trout
feed on nymphs as they are swept downstream in the current, after being
disrupted from their homes in the rocks. Sizes #12 to #16 are normally
good choices for nymphs.
Wet Flies:
When a mayfly
changes from a nymph (on the rocks on the bottom of the stream), to a dun
(the dry fly that is on the surface of the water ready to fly away), it
has to swim to the surface to hatch. This stage is the emerging stage of
the fly. Wet flies and certain nymphs represent this stage. Wet flies aren't
used that much anymore, emerging nymphs have taken their place, although
some old timers still swear by the wet flies.
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