River Trout Fishing in Early Spring

River trout fishing presents anglers with uniquely different conditions than those faced by the lake or pond angler where fish are scattered over a vast area. Trout found in creeks, streams, and rivers all have definite "feeding" and "resting" stations. Invariably, if you catch a trout from a particular spot one day, a few days later, there will be another trout in its place. So keep this in mind and remember the "hotspots" where you previously caught fish.

The great majority of early season trout fishermen can be found swarming around every major pool in a particular river. They know these are the likely spots where the State hatchery trucks transported their cargoes. When trout are stocked well before the season's opener, and high waters, almost to the point of flood conditions, have transpired, the trout will be well dispersed. Look at the head and tails of mid-stream boulders. You'll find fish in both places.

Although a myriad number of lures can be utilized during the early season, bait, naturally drifted downstream, will account for the greatest majority of fish caught. Always keep the bait moving. When the bait stops at the end of drift, pick it up and again make the cast upstream.

In cold waters trout bump worm baits. Always give a little line before striking. A deadly early season combination is the spinner-worm combo. The spinning addict can have a ball tossing all combinations of hardware at these critters.

A thermometer is a tremendous aid to the angler in letting him know where the trout are likely to be. When water temperatures are below 50 degrees, trout will be hugging the bottom, lurking in deep pools, and behind boulders and undercut banks. The main point when early season bait fishing is to make sure you have enough weight on your line to take baits and lures to the bottom, where the trout are.