The next decision is what gear and tackle to use. A simple worm on a hook has probably accounted for more brook trout than all other baits, lures, and flies combined, but even when fishing a worm, there are additional considerations. Adding a split shot above the hook helps with casting and can get the bait down in deeper water, but fishing without added weight provides a more natural presentation.
On the other hand, a flashier presentation like a snelled spinner rig tipped with a worm chunk may be more effective on some days. Another consideration is the type of rod to use. Most bait anglers prefer a spinning rod, but some prefer a fly rod. A long fly rod and an underhand pitching motion can be used to precisely plop a baited hook into tight places, a tactic which is often necessary on small streams with overhanging trees.
Of course, a fly rod can be used to present flies. Some anglers prefer short fly rods for brook trout streams because of the tight quarters and limited casting space.
Others prefer long rods that can be used to make longer roll casts, underhand pitches, and bow-and-arrow casts. I have a friend who is very experienced in fly-fishing small brook trout streams, and he claims that an angler needs only two flies for this activity: an elk hair caddis and a beadhead pheasant tail nymph.
He is probably right most of the time, but I have learned that the fish sometimes prefer something bigger, such as a Muddler Minnow, or flashier, like a yellow strike indicator I need to start putting a hook in those things. Spinning lures like spoons and spinners are often frustrating to fish on small brook trout streams because they require more frequent casting and more water to fish effectively.
The final consideration is where on the stream to fish. My advice is to do more walking and looking than casting. If a stream is cold enough, brook trout will be present in most of it, but shallower areas with no cover will usually be dominated by the little guys.
The larger, adult fish are usually found in the best habitats. Likely locations include deep plunge pools created by waterfalls, large boulders, or downed trees. Brook trout feed primarily on insects drifting in the current, so they prefer to hold in slower water with easy access to faster current that serves as the grocery conveyor belt.
It may also be helpful to ask yourself where a predator might have the hardest time seeing and catching a brook trout — that is where the bigger ones will be. When you spy a likely location, approach very carefully so as not to alert the fish that yet another predator has come to call. I sometimes crawl into position on my hands and knees. Approaching from downstream often minimizes the risk of being spotted because the fish are usually facing upstream, waiting for food. Food is scarce in most brook trout streams, so the fish are often hungry and aggressive.
If you accidentally spook a pool, it could take at least a half-hour before the fish will consider biting again. While exploring, you may also come across a beaver pond, which is worthy of an article of its own. The difference is water temperature. A newly built beaver pond on a cold stream will often maintain cool enough temperatures to support trout. Beaver ponds built on warm streams and ones that have grown shallow with accumulating silt will be too warm for brook trout.
I can tell you from experience that getting away from the road does not guarantee great brook trout fishing. Every summer, my co-workers and I spend many days sampling streams throughout northeastern Vermont. An hour passed before we started to hollow out the mound with a narrow plastic shovel. The soft, fluffy snow was now compressed and firm.
With the structure complete the prospect of sleeping in a cocoon of snow was becoming more and more attractive—especially when faced with a four hour snowshoe home.
We set four lines in a shallow bay and watched from beside the fire. A brisk wind continued into the evening but inside the quinzee it was quiet and still. A single candle cast a surprising amount of light against the white walls. After blocking the entrance with our packs I blew out the candle and drifted off to sleep immediately. The next time I opened my eyes sunlight was permeating the walls. Not only were we alive and frost-free, we were well rested and comfortable.
Then, working with a partner, methodically work down the shore with both still and jigging lines, leap frogging from hole to hole. This works especially well if you seek large, trophy fish, as they tend to be cruisers. Gord Ellis Sr. There are times that I've figured out how to hook light biting trout by watching how they grabbed the bait.
I never tire of seeing brook trout under the ice. Yet there are times when the specs are just not interested in a minnow, waxworm or crawler. Jigging spoons can often trigger specs that are suffering lock jaw.
The best winter spec trip I ever experienced - which saw several fish over four pounds iced - occurred on a day when the fish wanted spoons and nothing else. They swam right be set line with fat chubs to slam steel.
Letting the water settle down for a bit can be a better tactic than going on a search for different water. When it comes to winter fishing, one very important consideration is the health of the trout. Land them quickly, so they exert as little energy as possible. Another thing to keep in mind is the lethal damage below freezing air temperatures cause to fish gills and eyes.
In seconds, gills and eyes can be irreparably damaged by freezing. Keep them fish in the water for hook removal. That being said, the water is still cold. Trout are cold-blooded creatures and really slow down. When the fish slow down, so does the water they hold in. Look to the deeper holes below riffles. This is the holding area, and the fish stack up there waiting for the feed to slowly role through.
We often see trout near these springs. The enzymes which can be linked to feeding activity follow a bell curve that peaks around the mid 50s. I have observed that trout follow a similar pattern and have evolved that feeding behavior because there is no food on the extreme ends of the temperature spectrum.
Bugs eat algae and small diatoms that also eat algae. There is less sunlight hitting the river in winter, so we have less algae. Conversely, during the summer when sulphurs are hatching in great numbers, you see fish sitting in super-fast shallow riffles. So the short answer is to look for deep, slow runs with just enough current to push some food into a bubble line. I often fish my biggest flies during the winter.
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