How to Fly Fish for Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout are the most recognizable sport fish due to the rainbow band that runs down their sides from head to tail. These fish can provide a challenge for even the most experienced angler however. Being armed with the right know-how goes a long way in ensuring your fishing trip is a success.

Instructions

1. Travel to either northern Mexico or southern Alaska and the areas in between for the best rainbow trout fly fishing. The best fly fishing for rainbow trout tend to prefer clear, cool rivers, streams and lakes. They prefer water temperatures from 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit but can tolerate water as warm as 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Bring insect flies. The rainbow trout's diet consists mainly of immature and adult insects, plankton, crustaceans, fish eggs and some smaller fish. Baits that are chosen should imitate as best they can the trout's actual diet. With this in mind, flies that attract rainbow trout include dry flies, nymphs and streamers.

3. Know where to throw your bait. The highest rate of success seems to occur with dry and bushy flies, used on early mornings or late afternoons or on cloudy days, floated around submerged and partially submerged structures. If you want to catch larger rainbows, use larger flies with weights that allow them to sink a little deeper than smaller flies.

4. Perfect the proper casting technique. The perfect cast looks approximately like 25 feet of line unrolling in graceful loops that resemble a sideways letter U. Repeat this cast until the fish strikes the fly. They are nearly certain to put up a good fight once hooked, performing their characteristic jumps out of the water that make this species one of the more beautiful fish to catch. Be prepared to set the hook and get ready for the struggle.

5. Think like a rainbow trout. Remember that you need to make the fly look as real and life-like as possible in order to entice the rainbow trout to strike. Also keep in mind that trout do not like stink bait or anything that might smell foul, so keep your flies clean and free from anything acidic, basic or salty including things like suntan lotion.