14 Nebraskaland • November 2024
IN THE FIELD
Every fall, Nebraska Game and Parks hatcheries release
10-inch trout in waters across the state to provide anglers
more fishing opportunities. Trout fishing is inexpensive,
requires simple equipment and is fitting for a variety of ages
and skill levels.
Light Tackle
Light or ultra-light rods and reels with 4-to 6-pound-test
monofilament line are ideal. Four-pound test is virtually
drag-free and makes it easier to detect soft strikes often
typical of trout in cold water.
One or two split shots fastened 10 or 12 inches above a
No. 6 or 8 hook is ideal for trout fishing. Adjust the weight
to keep the bait where the fish are biting by adding or
subtracting split shots as needed.
Popular Bait and Lures
Popular baits to catch trout are salmon
eggs, wax worms, PowerBait and my
favorite, a small piece of worm or a
small minnow and bobber.
Under many conditions, bait
or lure-and-bait combinations
are the best ways to put a
mess of trout in the creel,
but at times, lures alone
have their advantages.
Casting and retrieving
lures allows anglers to
cover a lot of water, often
catching more trout than
the live bait angler.
In-line spinners are a superb lure
choice. A flashing spinner imitates
a small minnow, which trout love
to hit.
Spinners trigger strikes using
flash and sound. A slow-revolving,
Colorado-type blade works great
with its wide, deliberate movement.
Silver spinners match the silvery-
hued minnows trout prey on. In
discolored water, gold, chartreuse
and copper spinners are effective.
Spinners with a hair trailer may
produce more strikes than a bare hook
spinner.
Spoons, which wobble and flutter,
are another choice for trout. They work
better than spinners in swift water
where they can be worked faster and
more erratically than spinners.
They are also
a good pick
for fishing fast-
moving waters or
for trout in lakes or ponds.
Start with slow retrieves, which will let you know just
how active the trout are. Then switch from a slow to a faster
retrieve if you can't get the fish to bite. As when fishing for
other species, you may need to change lures altogether to see
what the trout prefer on a particular day.
JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
ve
g
In-line
spinners
Colorado spinner
e worked faster and
than spinners.
Spoon
Wax
worms
Salmon eggs
FISHING FOR FALL RAINBOWS
By Julie Geiser
