The scientific name is salmo trutta, and these fish can be recognized by their creamy-yellow sides, sometimes with reddish orange spots. Across the backs can be seen black spots with white circles and an adipose fin that is reddish-orange in color. You may find variations in the coloring and markings, as this one species has developed significant differences in its appearance. In fact, browns are known for being able to slightly alter the background color of their bodies as a camoflauge technique.

Brown trout can be caught anywhere from 6 inches to 36 inches, weighing 6 oz. up to more than 30 pounds. These fish can live more than 35 years, partly because of their adaptability to habitat and temperature.

Brown trout live in streams, rivers and lakes. They seldom are faced with an over fished issue, partly because they are harder to catch, but also because they tend to feed primarily at night or in the early morning hours. Their diet consists of a large variety of choices. In rivers and streams, the snails, crayfish and other fish pieces are eaten. When caddisflies and stoneflies are present, they are a big hit. In lakes, brown trout have the potential to grow to very large sizes because they feed on smelt and alewives. This species spawns in late fall, seeking gravel beds in shallow streams.

Fishing techniques to catch Brown trout are similar to those used for other species, such as rainbow. But more often than not, browns are much harder to catch. They have a reputation as being cunning and intellegent, but they are also territorial and sneaky. Many anglers find more success catching browns at dawn and dusk, and during the spawning season.

Lures, baits and flies are used much the same as with other trout species, but understanding the characteristics and natural tendencies of the individual variety will bring you added success. Also take into consideration the weather conditions as well as the season and time of day. All of these factors will help you discover what natural baits will be present and intriquing for the trout.

It doesn’t matter if you catch a brown with a worm, a spoon or a dry fly, the most exciting part begins with the hooking of the brown. This fish is different than his cousin the rainbow, who is notorious for his athletic demonstrations of high air acrobatics. The brown, on the other hand, tends to head for something in the water that is nearby; a rock, a log or weeds.  Anything that he can get wrapped around, in an attempt to tangle and break your line. Too often, he is successful. Landing a brown is at least half the fun, and as soon as you have played the hide and seek game with him, you will understand why.

If you are hoping to capture a trophy brown trout, you need to know that there are two basic groups of browns. First, there is the group that feeds on insects and other bait drifting in the current. These fish get up to 12 inches in length, and are referred to as “drift feeders.” This group can be found resting on the bottom of the stream, waiting for food to come to them. Very rarely do drift feeders reach trophy size. On the other hand, the larger browns, those over 12 inches in length, can be found eating larger items such as baitfish, crayfish, frogs and other trout. This diet helps them reach such large sizes, often at the expense of other species, such as the brook trout.

Catching a brown trout is not only exciting and challenging, but very rewarding as well. The meat of this fish is pinkish in color and tastes delicious!

Lake Trout Characteristics
This species of trout live their lives in the cold waters of deep lakes, mostly in Canada, Alaska and Northeast America. Lake Trout can be found at depths to 100 feet, but the rule of thumb is that they will be found where the temperature is between 40 and 52 degrees Fahrenheit. Because this zone changes with the season, so does the strategy for finding and catching these trout. For example, as soon as the ice leaves the surface of the lake, the fish will be found in the top 15 feet of water. However, in the middle of the spring season, they will have moved down to a 30 to 50 foot depth.  In the summer, as the water temperatures continue to rise, the Lake Trout will drop down to where the colder water is, between 50 and 100 feet below the surface. However, they will also be found in that 50 degree layer of water also, primarily if they are feeding. This is because the bait-fish that make up much of their diet are at this level. Furthermore, as the seasons change to fall, and the temperature begins to drop, the trout will move back toward the surface, staying in their 40 to 52 degree comfort zone. In September and October, these fish will spawn, depositing up to 20,000 eggs! Interestingly, they usually spawn only every other year, one reason it is so important to protect these beautiful fish.

Proven Techniques for Success
Many fishermen have good luck catching Lake Trout by trolling. Some bottom-fish with jigs or bait-fish, others prefer to use large spoons attached to down-riggers. The largest Lake trout results usually come off of herring or smelts from deep in the lake. Fishing techniques change some with the weather, so be sure to be prepared with the best method for the time you are out.

Spring Time

For example, in the spring, just after ice-out, Lake trout are moving along the shoreline, in the shallows between the surface and about 15 feet. Until the water temperature begins to rise, this will be where you can find them, and using cut bait or minnows with a float will give you great results. If you prefer to use a lure, long-line trolling with a spoon or minnow type plug or crank-bait works great, especially along break-lines, points and bays. Trolling in low light conditions is ideal. This would include rainy, cloudy or foggy days, or early morning and evening times.

Summer Time

As the calendar moves into summer, the water warms, and the trout drop deeper. Along the rocky bluffs, points and drop-offs, you will find them in the 50 to 100 foot depth. Use trolling down-riggers and 3-way swivels to show off your best spoons and crank-baits. A 3-way swivel is standard practice for Lake trout fishing, and is not as difficult to set up as you might think. It involves a swivel with 3 different lines attached to it. The first is the main line, which joins the swivel to the reel. Use 10-12 pound test line for this part. The second line going off from the swivel is called the drop line, and attaches to your sinker with a 3 foot length of 8 pound mono-filament line. You can vary the weight depending on how slow or fast you are trolling, and how deep you want to go. The third, and final line that is attached to the swivel is the one you secure your lure to. Use a leader made of fluorocarbon, about 4 or 5 feet long, and attach a good snap swivel, which will allow you to remove and replace lures quickly and easily.

Moving on To The Fall Season
Once the temperatures begin dropping in the fall, you can expect the Lake trout to start to come back up to the shallow water in preparation for spawning. Lake trout fishing season closes as spawning season begins, because they are easy to catch during this time, and care is given to protect them. Your methods for the fall will be the same as during the spring, and often with better results.

Lure Selection
Your choice of which lure to use will depend on a number of factors. Depth, size of trout, time of year and what bait-fish are present, all contribute to your decision. Asking the local tackle shop, fish and game staff, ranger or fellow anglers often is rewarded with key information about what lure is hot at the time.

Other Equipment
One piece of equipment that is highly recommended when fishing for Lake trout is a depth finder. You don’t need this for other species of trout, but being able to spot where the schools of bait fish are located is key for Lake trout. You want to target the waters just below the area the bait-fish are in, because that is where the trout will be found. Start by looking in the 40 to 60 foot depth zone.

Final Lake Trout Fishing Tips
If your personality is one that is known to be stubborn, persistent and patient, you have all the makings to be a great Lake trout fisherman! These fish require you to stick with it, because their feeding times can start and stop without warning. You can be fishing for days, without any luck, and all of a sudden, they start hitting like mad. A couple hours later, they completely stop again. This is part of the reason that Lake Trout have a reputation as being harder to catch than other trout species. But if you keep at it, it is all worth it when you catch these wonderful fish!

For the fisherman that prefers lake fishing, the list includes lakes that are popular and well-fished, and less accessible and more remote. Each one is beautiful, and trout can be found there. Some of the better fishing lakes are Whitefish, Lake Frances, Bighorn, Canyon Ferry, Deadman’s Basin, Holter, Placid, Georgetown, Fort Peck, Hebgen, Ashley, Hungry Horse, Tiber, Helena, Seeley, Bull, Clark, Flathead, Fresno, McDonald, Koocanusa, Gibson, Hauser, Noxon and Willow Creek.

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks regularly stocks trout. Some of the more popular lakes and streams to fish have planted fish in abundance. But the more remote regions have some of the best fishing in Montana. Remember that ninety percent of trout are caught by ten percent of the anglers. Often this is because ninety percent attempt to fish in the same place as everyone else. Usually easy access is a determining factor, and a short trek away will take you to more, and often, bigger fish. Many fishermen can be found along the more famous rivers. These rivers are known for the large trout they produce, partly because of the fertile conditions. The small streams feeding into these rivers are a great place to fish, as they also have the right conditions for trout to thrive, and are often overlooked by anglers. Feeder streams can be more fertile than the river they feed into, and produce still bigger fish. In some cases, one of Montana’s designated Blue Ribbon trout streams is a desired location for many fishermen, but what they don’t know, is that parts of this stream just out of sight offer better fishing than in the main sections. Within that ninety percent group, trudging through willows and bushes isn’t worth it, when open access next to the road is so handy. What they don’t realize is that willows are a great indication of trout habitats. The fish can hide, watching for bugs and insects that are around the willows. The difficulty level rises for casting opportunities, which also drives many fishermen away. Their loss, your gain.

Southern Montana is known for having more Blue Ribbon trout streams and rivers, and the northwest parts of the state boast the scenery and solitude that appeal to many. Fly fishing is the standard, here, although other methods are equally practiced and enjoyed. If you intend to fly fish, take a course or get a lesson before you go, so you will have at least a basic skill level to work with. Montana has a huge selection in the way of guides, programs, resorts and packages. You may want to hire a guide that can get you quickly catching your limit of trout. These professionals have the knowledge and expertise to know the where, when, why and how of your fishing outing.

River fishing in Montana is very popular. In the Northwest, the Swan and Thompson Rivers are great for wading, fly fishing or bait fishing. You can find native cutthroat and rainbows here primarily. In between this part of the state, and the southeast portion, some desert areas offer a different, but equally rewarding trout fishing experience. Montana is a big state, and with the Rocky Mountains and other ranges, there are incredible numbers of streams and rivers being fed. Southwest Montana is the most popular area for fishing, and no wonder. Incredible mountains all around, with scenery unbeatable. The amazing rivers formed from high up in these mountains offer quality fishing that  people travel from across the globe to fish. Some of the rivers in Southwest Montana include the Madison, Ruby, Jefferson, Yellowstone, Missouri, Gallatin, Beaverhead, Rock Creek, Big Hole and Bitterroot. Each of these rivers is famous for large trout, and it would take any fisherman many, many trips to Montana to try all of them!

Any fishing trip to Montana is sure to be successful, no matter how many trout are caught. The natural splendor of the landscape and the wildlife are unequaled. I look forward to any opportunity I get to go to Montana and take it all in. In fact, I think I’ll plan another Montana trout fishing trip soon!

A New Discovery
For someone who has never felt “the pull of the pole” it can be one of those things that nobody can accurately describe. Only experiencing it will provide an understanding of the excitement of the sport. In that moment, you can see a fellow angler emerging before your eyes. Once “hooked” the feeling seldom leaves, but in most cases grows and grows, sometimes leading to overloading the calendar with fishing trips! The key to opening this world of fishing to someone new is using the techniques and strategies that produce great results. Spending hours casting and retrieving with no catch is not likely to sway a beginner to return. So, be sure to do some preparation to ensure a successful, exciting trip.

Laying Out a Plan
In order to properly show a new angler the winning methods of trout fishing, be sure to develop a good plan. For example, have the tackle, bait and equipment ready that matches the location, weather and setting
conditions you will be at. Also, consider the type of trout you will be targeting, and have the right lures, rod, reel, line, flies, hooks and bait packed and set up ready to catch them. If you will be hiking along a small mountain stream, there is no need to assemble the hottest flies of the season. On the other hand, if your setting is a rushing river, don’t plan on cheese surviving the rapids while remaining on your hook long enough to interest the fish. As you can see, a little planning will go a long way.

Learn By Doing
As important as it is for you to demonstrate or describe the best trout fishing techniques to use to catch a limit of fish, ultimately the individual method that a beginner develops through trial and error is the key to success. When you can get your newest fishing buddy to be able to set up his or her own gear, bait the hook, cast it, retrieve and land a fish, you have done your job. The rest will come with experience and practice. Of course, you can be an important resource in learning to read the water, understanding how seasons and varying weather conditions alter tactics and equipment selection, and additional necessities such as cleaning the fish, but a new fisherman will develop his own methods quickly.

New Stories
Now that the world of trout fishing has a new member, be ready to hear bigger and better stories! Thanks to your assistance in starting out right, however, the stories are most likely to be about the ones that were caught, instead of the one that got away!

Trout Fishing Experience
First off, what experience do you have with trout fishing? If you are new to the sport, then you can limit your search to those books that are aimed at beginners, or at least offer basic information. Reading endlessly about fly patterns in varied sizes might be unnecessary information at this point. On the other hand, if you have been fishing for years, but want to build on your techniques, then those books that deal with methods and tactics will be more likely to give you what you want. Trout fishing books that begin with different species of trout and what they look like would probably not teach you anything new.

Type of Fishing
Secondly, is there a particular type of trout fishing you plan to engage in? Fly fishing, trolling from a boat, stream or river fishing each have specialized material to read. Wasting time reading through books regarding
stream fishing won’t help you perfect your trolling techniques next summer. So zero your search in for the kind of trout fishing you have in mind.

Location, location, location
Narrow your horizons further by eliminating those books that are region oriented, unless of course, it’s the region you intend to fish. There are wonderful books, full of detail and specifics, but relevant only to a small geographical area, mountain range, county or state. There may be some worthwhile tidbits in there, but you will have to weed through a lot of text to find something you can use. If the description of a foolproof tactic to catch trophy trout interests you, just remember that if the book is about Fly Fishing in Alaska, your lure fishing in the Ozarks might not gain any benefit at all. The section you are reading may be describing a particular technique for the kind of trout found in a particular river in spring, at sunrise.

Finding Great Books
Trout fishing books can be a wonderful addition to your adventure in fishing. Old, time-tested books, and new, state of the art books all have valuable information to present to you. Just set yourself up for finding those books that you will get the most out of, by planning your window of interest in the vast field of trout fishing books.

Trout Fishing on the White River
White River trout fishing encompasses a wide range of types fishing styles, and the species of trout they target. You can find browns, rainbows and brookies along the way. While the River works it way down from its headwaters, the rapid pace keeps stream fishermen on their toes. It slows at Lake Sequoyah, a beautiful area enjoyed by floaters primarily. But then things begin to get serious.

Bull Shoals
Several miles downstream, you will find Bull Shoals Dam. This is notable, because the River takes on an entirely different personality here. Because the area below the dam is controlled by hydro-power discharges that come from the deepest parts of the lake above, very cold water can be found here. This is exactly what trout prefer, and this area is well-known for it’s abundance of brown and rainbow trout. In fact, this entire area is so popular that you can easily find lodging, guide services and tackle shops anywhere nearby. Another key contributor to the successful fishing here is the fact that the Arkansas Fish and Game Commission annually stocks large quantities of trout into the river. Many of these are snagged soon after release, but some manage to evade capture. Hiding out for years, these trout can get exceptionally large. Rainbows over 20 pounds and browns near the 35 pound mark hold bragging rights for White River trout fishing.

White River beauty
The river has ideal trout fishing for more than 90 miles downstream of Bull Shoals. There are several creeks and small rivers feeding in to it, including the North Fork River, popular for its beautiful miles of float ability. The North Fork River is also where record rainbow trout and the state record brook trout were caught. And speaking of beautiful, this area of the Ozarks is a great destination for many people seeking solitude and beauty, as it offers both in abundance. While some folks enjoy the adventure with a guide taking care of the decisions and fine points, others choose to paddle their way more than 100 miles downstream from Bull Shoals Dam. Whichever manner gets your vote, think about turning that trivia question into a White River trout fishing adventure, and you’ll be the winner!

A Whole New Level

When you are lake fishing, you can break the area down into just a few different parts; the intake, the outtake, the shore, the depths, and any outcroppings that might be present. In a river, there are a few more aspects to consider, such as cover for the fish, speed of the current and just how shallow or deep the water is. However, when you trek off the main path and begin your stream fishing adventure, you will have even more to factor in. For example, the stream will be constantly changing from wide to narrow, steep to level, swift to slow, open to congested. Here is where the fun of the hunt begins!

Be Prepared

First, you need to know what you are looking for. Has this stream been stocked, or are you looking for natives? Does this area support rainbows, brook trout or maybe some other type? What is the season and is the current weather windy, cold, and early morning, or warm, still and late afternoon? All of these questions will provide answers to help you be successful in your trout fishing.

Studying the stream layout is essential to catching fish. Learning to read the water comes with practice, and soon you will know that a beautiful pool just below a rapid, with large boulders or fallen trees is likely to be a gold mine of good luck. Remember that trout are shy, and you must take care to not alarm them with your presence. Most of the time, fishing for trout in a stream involves heavy brush along the banks, which you can use to your advantage in approaching unnoticed. But because there usually is a lot of brush, trees, bushes and debris, you will also have to take precautions to avoid becoming tangled, or catching your line on some overhanging limb or twig.

Be Equipped

Using a shorter rod, in the 4 to 5 foot range, and ultralight reel and line will prove to be the best in this situation. You won’t likely need more than 2 to 4 pound test line for light stream fishing, so you don’t want to alert the trout to your efforts with a noticeable line. Just a hint here, because getting your line caught on something while fishing in a stream is inevitable; if your cast wraps around a twig or branch above the water, don’t jerk on it, as this will only tighten the wrap. Instead, gently wiggle the line, and often times the weight of the swivel, split shot, bait or lure will release, and you can then gently retrieve your line from around the limb. When your hook becomes caught on the bottom, you may be able to save it here too. Look at the angle the hook entered the entrapment, and go directly upstream from there. Now you can tug on your line, and have the best chance of it releasing and not breaking. Of course, you can always wade out and retrieve your setup, but here you must realize that the trout will now be in hiding, and not interested in your best tactics for at least 20 minutes.

Creating Success

Casting upstream above the fish is a common practice, especially if you are using a bobber and floating bait. However, if you have anything heavy enough to sink to the bottom, you may find this technique causes more bottom catches than necessary. In this case, you will want to let the current of the stream carry your bait down to where the trout are. In this manner, you can work your way under that log, or behind that rock, just where you believe the fish are waiting. Fly fishing is productive in streams if you have enough clearance to cast, but if not, you can mimic this presentation with a bobber and a fly on a long leader.

Do your homework, and be prepared to work with what Nature is giving you. Offer the fish what Nature is also specializing in for your best chances. Flies, grasshoppers, nymphs, grubs, worms or crickets all have their time to shine. Trout, of course, love cheese, but often the swift current of the stream will take the bait more often than the fish do. If you prefer to sit patiently, holding your pole and waiting for a hit, then stream fishing might not be your style. But if you love the excitement of constantly looking for “that hole” with the big ones, then working your way up and down a stream might provide you with the ultimate joy.

But wait, it gets even better! Scotland is home to some of the best trout fishing anywhere, especially brown and sea trout. In 2005, a 26 and a half pound brown was caught, and brownies in the 5 to 10 pound range are commonplace.

Things to Consider

If you are lucky enough to be able to try trout fishing Scotland, there are some things you should know.  Although there are thousands of rivers, lochs and miles of coastline, fishing is basically private in Scotland, so you will need to secure a fishing permit from the landowner first. Some areas don’t require this, but it is a good practice to check to be sure. Also, there is not a specific season that allows fishing for rainbow trout, but the brown trout season runs from mid-March until the first part of October.  Because the tourist industry is so important to Scotland, the economy thrives on what fishing contributes t0 it. There are many outfits that offer opportunities for singles, groups or families to enjoy trout fishing Scotland. You will be well-taken care of, with everything you need, from meals to gear to local knowledge. The government is continually looking out for the welfare of the fishing industry, implementing laws that protect, preserve and develop a strong system for success.

Fishing Scotland, your way…

Your favorite method of trout fishing can be used in Scotland. For generations, fly fishing was the common practice, but today, spinning reels offer lure and bait enthusiasts equal opportunities. I can’t think of a better destination plan than trout fishing in Scotland. Let me get my passport in order, and get going with a trip of a lifetime! Care to join me?

Different types of tackle

There are many methods of catching trout; fly fishing, or using a spinning reel with lures or bait are the most common. If you have decided to fly fish, you will need a fly fishing rod and reel, complete with the right line, and of course, a broad assortment of flies.

If however, you plan to fish using bait or lures, your trout fishing tackle box will be filled with different items. Besides a lightweight rod and spinning reel, you will be using lightweight line and leaders. In addition, your equipment will include swivels, weights, lures, hooks and bait.

The Tackle Box

Most trout fishermen, whether they are fly fishing, using bait or lures, will have a well-stocked tackle box with many of the following items.

* Pliers with a cutter
* Knife
* Supply of hooks, whether they are salmon egg hooks, treble hooks or flies
* Extra line

A fly fisherman will have a wide assortment of flies, both dry and wet, while a lure fisherman will have a nice assortment of spoons and spinners, bobbers and weights. If fishing with bait, the desired type will be there in abundance, whether it is Power bait, cheese, homemade dough, salmon eggs, nightcrawlers, crickets or minnows.

Extras

A few extra items that might be included to make your fishing expedition more comfortable would be sunglasses, wind or rain jacket, flashlight, cell phone, gps, gloves, scaler and a measuring tape to verify the size of the big one!

Preparation

Before heading out on your adventure, make sure your fishing gear is ready. A well-organized tackle box, complete with all the essentials, neatly packed and ready for use, will make the day much more enjoyable. Not having what you need when you need it is very frustrating, and takes away precious time that could be better spent fishing. So, plan ahead, and carefully stock your tackle box with everything you might need, so it will be there for you when the time comes.

Benefits
There are many reasons why this may be the best move to make. First, the professional guide will be familiar with the lakes, streams and rivers in the locale you want to fish. Also, he will know not only what type of trout are present, but also what methods work best to catch them. For instance, are the Rainbow trout in the lake you have hiked hours to get to being caught mostly with flies, lures or bait? Your guide will know the answer to this question, plus the specific kind of fly, lure or bait.

You have the opportunity to learn what you need to know to become a better angler, able to catch your limit of elusive, beautiful trout. Your guide will teach you how to properly outfit yourself and your gear, as well as the correct way to set up your rod, cast, hook and land those fish. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced fisherman, you will benefit from his willingness to help. Remember that he wants you to succeed as much as you do….. his business depends on it.

Selecting the Right Guide
When looking for the right fishing guide, ask around. If you have friends that have used a good guide, get the names and contacts from them. Otherwise, fishing boards and organizations in the area have lists and referrals for guides. Selecting a guide carefully can make a huge difference in the outcome of your expedition.

You want to have a fishing outing filled with wonderful memories, and a new understanding of better methods and techniques than you started with.

Cost
Your trout fishing guide can cost anywhere from under a hundred dollars for a half day outing, to more than five hundred dollars per person for a full day. Be sure to check to see what is included. Most guides offer meals, travel to local lakes or rivers, waders or other clothing extras, in addition to any equipment or gear that may be necessary. Often there are discounts available for families, groups or other package deals. If you select your guide properly, your investment will continue to be returned to you for years to come, with the advancement of your level of fishing knowledge.

When you are ready to fish with the big boys, try learning from those who know how to succeed, and go with an experienced, qualified guide for your trout fishing adventure. You will be glad you did!