Rainbow trout are one of the most recognizable sport fish. This is due to the rainbow band that runs down their sides from their head to their tail. The average rainbow is 12 to 18 inches in length. Anglers from all over have enjoyed catching these fish due to their fight with the angler after they have been caught, often with them jumping out of the water.
Rainbow trout, native from northern Mexico to southern Alaska, west of the Rockies, prefer clear, cool, rivers, streams and lakes. Rainbows prefer water temperature to range between 50* and 60* F, but will tolerate temperatures up to 75*F. Even though rainbow trout are native to the cool waters of the Pacific slope of North America, they sometimes migrate to the ocean to spend years. Knowing where to fish for rainbows is very important and keeping in mind that they are generally found in waters that do not exceed 68* should be kept in mind, even though these fish have successfully been introduced to every continent except Antarctica.
The rainbow trout diet consists of immature and adult insects, plankton, crustaceans, fish eggs, and smaller fish, even though they eat less fish than other species of trout. Successfully catching rainbow trout includes an angler must becoming aware of the type of diet it eats. With this in mind, the baits that are chosen must imitate the items on this fish’s diet, such as worms, salmon eggs, power bait, corn, cheese, marshmallows, artificial lures and flies. Flies that attract Rainbow Trout include dry flies, nymphs and streamers. Dry flies that work very well are Light Cahill, Adams, Royal Wulff, Quill Gordon and Humpy. Nymphs that work well are Trueblood Otter Shrimp, Ed Burk, Yellow Stone Fly, Muskrat and Wooly Worm. Streamers that work well are Blacknose Dace, Spruce Fly, Muddler Minnow, Gray Ghost, Black Marabou and White Marabou. When fishing for rainbow trout, another consideration is the tackle used; a light line, a small hook and small sinkers are the preference of many rainbow trout anglers.
Knowing where to throw the bait is important also. Dry and bushy flies, used early mornings and late afternoon, or on cloudy days floated around submerged and partially submerged structures can prove successful. Dry flies on a weighted sink tip line, drug through the deep pockets and pools found along the riverbanks will also work to catch medium size rainbows. Catching larger rainbows requires using larger bait such as streamers that range in size up to five inches long. These streamers have heavy weights and throwing them deep on a sink tip or full sinking line has proven more successful. Nymph fishing requires casts that are more precise along with the ability to float the nymphs in a dead drift along the banks with fast current and constant line mending.
Bait is important to catching rainbows, but so is the perfect technique when casting the bait to the fish. Many practice casts can accomplish this. The perfect cast would consist of the about 25 feet of fly line unrolling in graceful loops that resemble the letter “U” turned on its side. Repeat this cast until the fish strikes the fly. After the rainbow catches the fly it will more than likely perform the spectacular jumps out of the water that have made them one of the most famous fish. After catching these fish, they are nearly certain to put up a good fight so set the hook and be prepared for the show.
