Catching trout starts long before you pick up the rod and reel. A bit of preparation and research can go along way in setting yourself up for success. That’s why we asked Jerry, local angling guide from Reel North Adventures for some helpful tips and tricks.
If you want to catch rainbow trout you will want to start with a lake you know has them in it. Here are a few helpful resources for dialling in.
- Angler Atlas: What an amazing resource! Free fishing maps for lakes, rivers and ocean. See fish species, hotspots, boat launches and more!
- Go Fish BC: Another great resource with plenty of “how to fish” tips, an interactive map that will help show you which stocked lake to fish, and stocking reports that can be searched by species.
- IFish BC: A purchasable app for iPhone & Android every fisherman needs. Featuring over 3500 BC lakes, ponds, and reservoirs with Proximity Search to find lakes around you, Google Map integration at each lake, and Depth Charts for most lakes!
- Habitat Wizard: This one is for the real fishing nerds! Habitat Wizard is a map-based tool that allows users to spatially access detailed fish, wildlife and ecosystem information online.
- Ask around: Local Facebook fishing pages, asking those you know who fish, online fishing forums, and of course your local fishing tackle shops!
Go Deep or Go Home
Warm summer days can make fishing very enjoyable, although hooking a catch can be challenging due to the warmer water temperatures impacting fish behavior. The good news is; this problem is easily solved by targeting rainbows at depths of 15-25 feet, or fishing during cooler parts of the day. This is because Rainbow Trout need cool oxygenated water and can easily find this in the 15-25 foot range when summertime temperatures are highest. To reach this optimum depth I recommend full sink fly lines with a sink rating of 6ips or add 1-1.5oz of weight to your lure or bait. Also, a fish finder is a great tool to show you the specific depth fish are congregating at.
The Early Bird Gets the Worm
So why does this catchy often quoted phrase hold true? Well, most of it has to do with temperature. In the late summer water temperatures are higher than normal and this can make trout a bit lethargic. Water temperatures are coolest in the early morning and late evening and trout will be more active and prone to feeding during these times.
That Smells
Sunscreen, bug spray, oil, gas and other unnatural scents are not uncommon to have on our hands-on fishing trips but these can turn away trout if touching your lure, bait, or fly. A good practice before handling your lure or bait is to grab some dirt and rub it all over your hands and then wipe them on some grass or leaves and then wash off the rest in the water.
What’s for Dinner?
- For fly anglers: A leech or dragon fly nymph is a great summertime all-around choice to start with. These big tasty treats are great at attracting larger trout and can work well regardless of other insect hatches occurring.
- Lures: I recommend Rooster Tails, Bang Tails, Quick Fish, FlatFish, Panther Martins, Dick Nite Spoons, Mepps Spinners and Small Apex’s.
- Bait: Baiting your hook with a small piece of worm (my favorite for trout), maggot, corn, egg, or artificial bait can be a great additive to your lure. Remember less is more. Too much bait can impact the natural action of your lure.