Trout Fishing Is Here

Its that time of year again. The time of year when trout fishermen begin to get their gear out and head to local lakes in search of rainbow trout, which have been stocked in many of our local lakes. There are many things that are great about trout fishing: they’re plentiful, they’re willing biters, they fight hard and you don’t have to wait long for action. Trout fishing is a great way to introduce kids to fishing and nature as the non-stop excitement will keep them interested.

Where Are The Fish?
Rainbow trout are stocked in most of the lakes in the Florence vicinity. Munsel, Mercer, Cleawox, Dune, Erhardt, Carter, Elbow (and others) all have or will be stocked soon. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains a stocking schedule available online at
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/fishing/trout_stocking_schedules/2008/northwest/north_coast.asp. It tells dates stocked and numbers of trout planted. Rainbow trout are no longer stocked in rivers where they compete with native salmon and steelhead, such as the Siuslaw River. Efforts are best concentrated in lakes with recent stockings. Trout are also available in Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes, though these are bigger lakes that require different techniques for consistent success.

Rods, Reels and Line
You’ll be pleased to find out that the same rod and reel you use for shad fishing also makes for a fine trout setup. The spinning rod and reel combination I prefer is a medium-light outfit consisting of a 6-6 ½ ‘ rod and a reel lined with 6 or 8 lb. test monofilament. Don’t go too heavy or you’ll miss the excitement of the fight. Also, a light setup will make it easier to cast light baits and lures. Local retailers have a fine selection of reasonably prices rod/reel combinations, many just for kids. I generally recommend steering clear of the “closed face” rod/reel combos, especially if you plan on doing any other types of fishing beyond trout and panfish. They won’t take much abuse, and a pain to re-line, and their drag systems won’t hold up to larger fish. While they are good for very young anglers, kids can just as easily be taught to effectively use spinning gear. Just try a few practice casts before baiting up.

Got Any Bait?
You can’t go wrong with Berkley Powerbait. It’s long lasting, buoyant, and trout love it. Take a pinch between your fingers, roll it into a ball, and run your hook through it. Another favorite of mine is a whole nightcrawler, hooked once through the tip, and allowed to slowly sink to the bottom (no weight). Oftentimes you’ll have a fish on before it hits the bottom. Other popular baits include grubs, crickets (can be tough to get) and kernel corn. Lures work great too. Small spinners and spoons for spin fishermen and all sorts of streamers, nymphs and single egg patterns for those fly fishing.

Hooks, Sinkers, Etc.
Since trout are not likely to be right on the surface, you’ll need to get your presentation down close to the bottom in order to catch them. Start out by tying on a small (#4 or #6) hook and place 1 or 2 small lead splitshot 18 inches above the hook. Barbless hooks are O.K. – especially if you plan on releasing your catch. Just remember that keeping steady pressure on the fish (don’t let the line go slack) is the key to landing fish with barbless hooks. Cast out the bait and use a forked stick in the sand to keep your rod up and out of the sand (sand is bad news for reels). Bait under a bobber can be effective, but try at least 4 feet of line between the bobber and your bait. Trout will be more likely to come to the surface during low light conditions, such as early, late, and overcast days. So, get out there with the whole family and don’t forget to take a picnic lunch to enjoy when the bite slows down.


Drop me a line and let me know what you think about these or other topics.

See you on the water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)