It might come as a surprise to some that there are many locations in New England where you can find a Trout as large as the ones photoed. Twenty or more inches represents a large trout in my book and they can be found from the southern part of New York to the Canadian border in most states. It takes some looking and a lot of time on the water but they are there all year long.
Fish of five pounds are actually fairly common. You need to know where to go and be there at the right time using the correct tackle because they are not commonly caught. They didn't get to be five pounds by chance.
There is a rhythmic cycle to all fish. There is an inherent nature to certain species dependent on the origin of their gene pool. Let's discuss this as if your desire is to be on the water with the possibility for big fish.
Learning the life cycle of trout and landlocked salmon is a key factor in your ability to find that trophy. You must study and prove your study correct. This is done through understanding the movement and feeding habits of each location. Entomology and prey species are of great importance. You will then have a need to experiment on these factors to prove your hypothesis. When do Rainbow Trout spawn? Browns? Salmon? Smelt?
Have you ever gone to a new location and have no information what so ever about the basics. I have done this many times and find it very difficult to be learning while guessing. If I only had turned left over the bridge instead of right things might have been different. I did not do the research and will pay the price or hope to get lucky. Employing the services of a guide is always a good idea.
There is no reason to go for the big one without doing some work ahead of time. Here is a checklist for you to fill out. If you have all this information about a new destination or old haunt your chances of the big one will improve.
What is the open season and legal time period per day?
Who owns the local fly shop?
What is the target fish?
What is the optimal flow rate?
What are the insects that will be active at the time you are there and the daily hatch timing?
What is the prey and it's nature?
What is the weather forecast?
What is the temperature of the water?
What is the environment of the location?
What will the correct equipment set up be for the location?
What are the top 10 flies and in what sizes are they needed?
What is the gene specific nature of the target? (Migration, e-migration, spawning time location specific, daily feeding habit)
I know a high quality guide that works in New Hampshire . One of his favorite flies is carried in three colors. The same exact tie with the body color different. He says that if Brown Trout, Brook Trout and Landlocked Salmon are all in the pool he can target each by color. This is a learned experience of his working the same water over many years.
If you use the information above and make the
calls, Google the location and read as much as possible you will shorten the learning curve. Although there are opportunities all winter long the heart of spring is beating with increasing motion. Now is the time to understand the places you will visit. Now is the time to study a new destination. The insects are hatching to larva and are being bounced in the flow, the spawning of predictor and prey will start in due time and the sun is starting to feel good. It is happening as you read these words.
calls, Google the location and read as much as possible you will shorten the learning curve. Although there are opportunities all winter long the heart of spring is beating with increasing motion. Now is the time to understand the places you will visit. Now is the time to study a new destination. The insects are hatching to larva and are being bounced in the flow, the spawning of predictor and prey will start in due time and the sun is starting to feel good. It is happening as you read these words.
Carpe Deim
William
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