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The rainbow trout is called so because of its beautiful shiny coat, which can have pink and blue shades in it. It has a light body with dark spots, a shallowly forked black tail and a white mouth. The rainbow trout prefers fast moving rivers and clear lakes. One of the sub groups of rainbow trout are called steelheads, and their distinguishing characteristics is that they are migratory, spending much of their lives moving from one lake, ocean or river to another to spawn in the fresh water streams. Steelheads often have a larger average size then the rainbow trout, and weigh considerably more with the average around 8-12 pounds, probably because they spend so much time in nutritious environments when migrating. The rainbow trout’s size averages around two to four pounds, with the higher averages found in lakes at around eight pounds. The IGFA record for catching rainbow trout is 42.125 pounds. It can be found from anywhere between Alaska and Mexico, and one of its well-known abilities is to adapt to different conditions. It is usually hard to catch because it can put up an amazing fight, mostly because of its ability to accelerate to about 23 mph from a complete standstill in only one second, and can maintain this speed long enough to use up at least 100 yards of fishing line. That is one of the reasons the rainbow trout is a popular game fish, since it is quite an archival to land a catch especially if it is a heavy one. The rainbow trout usually likes a lake temperature ranging between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and they will only stay in a place if there is a fresh constant supply of cold water. They like to stay in between aquatic plant growths, near weeds, logs and other hiding places.
Rainbow trouts eat many different types of food in their habitat. Foods common to them are usually fresh aquatic plants, small fish and minnows, fish eggs, insects, worms, and even small mammals and birds. Fishing for the trout can even be accomplished using worms, things that look salmon fish eggs. Even pieces of corn and mini-marshmallows have reportedly worked well for catching the rainbow trout. They like to strike any type of spinner, minnow-shaped lures, and anything that is fresh, doesn't have a foul smell, and isn't more acidic or basic then the water you are fishing in. Since the rainbow trout gets most of his vitamins and minerals from the insects, a good way to catch the fish is by fly-fishing.
As for the equipment, the rainbow trout’s amazing acceleration ability will influence the type of line you use on this fish. Usually a line of double strength then what the weight of the fish you are expecting to catch should be used. If you are trying to fly fish, make sure you have the "softest" setting on your reel, because as soon as the rainbow trout senses he is caught he will run as fast as he can. Often he will disconnect from the fly in the first few seconds because the reel doesn't give in that first short amount of time when the fish knows he’s caught but the fisherman doesn’t. Another thing to consider is that the rainbow fish is easier to catch when the sun isn't directly above the water since it will be the time the trout spends deep down in the cooler water. So a sinking fly should be used when it is mid-morning to mid-afternoon and should be sunk quite low. Make sure when you try to fly fish you make the "fly" look real and life-like or else he will not even bother trying to strike. Trout doesn't like "stink bait" or anything that would smell foul, so keep the fly clean and free from acidic, basic, salty and even sun tanning lotion. They do like a fresh food taste so if you find a commercial product advertises that it will attract rainbow trout, try it since it will be worth it if it works. The larger fish will most often feed after nighttime so it is important that your fly looks realistic. If a fly looks real to the trout, it will come from more then one hundred feet away to investigate to make sure it is a legitimate one. Ice fishing can also be used to catch this delicacy during the winter months. If you aren't familiar about where to start fishing, try to go where other people are fishing, since chances are that they are locals and know the "trout hangouts" better then anyone. Try fishing early in the morning since that is when the trout will be the hungriest and when he will strike better. When going on the ice be very careful and quiet since the trout has an amazing ability to sense anything out of the ordinary and won't strike if suspicious. Make sure the ice is frozen and don't ever try to go on ice that isn't at least a uniform thickness of four inches (10 cm). Also make sure that the day isn't a warm one so the ice will not start melting which could be life threatening to you and your fishing party. Try to be quiet when cutting the hole as well since cutting the hole might drive away entire schools of fish. It is better to cut the hole one-day, and use it the next.
After the rainbow fish strikes, give it as much line as it can take immediately after. Reel in the line as fast as you can once the fish gives you any slack. Be prepared to give him more line again once he starts to accelerate again and let him tire himself out. Also be prepared for the fish jumping up to four or five feet out of the water as this will give the trout more power to dive under and might give a mighty jerk to the string. But once you have landed that catch the recipe below will help you enhance the tender mild flavor of the rainbow trout.
Ingredients:
2 lb. of fresh rainbow trout cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup of frozen peppers (red, orange, yellow and green mixed)
2 toes of chopped garlic
1 cup of cream
1 can of chicken broth
2 T extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Heat the peppers and garlic in the olive oil in a frying pan. Add the trout cubes and heat for 5 minutes flipping the pieces carefully. Add the cream and chicken broth, heat through and season with some salt and pepper. Sprinkle a dash of nutmeg over the portions once they are in the serving plates, and serve with basil or parsley garnish and lemon wedges.
Enjoy!
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