| The old drunk told me about trout fishing. When | | | | categorized under using artificial baits. |
| he could talk, he had a way of describing trout as | | | | Using natural baits would of course include using |
| if they were a precious and intelligent metal. | | | | worms, salmon eggs, crawdads and minnows. |
| -Richard Brautigan (1935? - 1984) U.S. novelist and | | | | Choosing the best bait to use could equal a good |
| poet. | | | | catch, but it isn't a hundred percent assurance. |
| And indeed, the old drunk was right. Transitioning | | | | Using the same bait, especially artificial ones like |
| from trout fishing to trout catching is like mining | | | | flies, would probably not work out the second |
| for some precious and intelligent metal. It's a prize | | | | time around since trout are very keen in their |
| that, if not careful enough, can slip through your | | | | observations. |
| hook just when it was about to take a bite. | | | | Izaak Walton, an English writer, compared angling |
| Like some precious metals, it can be really hidden | | | | to mathematics in that it couldn't be fully learned. |
| and thus hard to spot if one doesn't have the | | | | Techniques will vary from time to time, depending |
| sufficient knowledge about their character and the | | | | on the whole situation. But like mathematics, all |
| environment. Without guidelines to help you | | | | procedures that one may come up will be based |
| through, fishing for trout itself can be a daunting | | | | on the basics. We're aware of the first one--the |
| task. | | | | fish. The second set of basics would be based on |
| Of course before learning anything else, the basics | | | | the trout's environment. |
| start with no other than the fish, in this case, | | | | Many scenarios would affect the trout's behavior. |
| trout. It's important to familiarize yourself with the | | | | Moonlight, climate changes, as well as your |
| target because that knowledge will be the basis to | | | | shadow have great impact on the trout activities. |
| decide on other basic questions like: "What gear | | | | For example, rainy seasons could be a good |
| should I use? What fly? When should I fish? How | | | | chance to go out and fish for them since more |
| should I fish?" | | | | natural bait on the banks are washed down the |
| Basically, there are three species of trout with | | | | banks leading the trout to surface to feed. |
| various subspecies: the rainbow trout, the brown | | | | Also remember that trout are very sharp in their |
| trout and the brook trout. All trout are cold water | | | | awareness of their surroundings, so be careful |
| fish, meaning temperatures above 70 degrees | | | | where you stand because seeing a human |
| Fahrenheit would mean trouble. While it won't kill | | | | shadow could drive the trout away. |
| them, the trout can be expected to move to | | | | All these are just part of the whole guide to |
| cooler waters as this would also affect their | | | | fishing and catching trout. Experience will be a |
| feeding habits. | | | | good teacher to learn many other things involved |
| Along with moving water, temperature also | | | | in it, so don't be afraid to try out any techniques |
| affects the oxygen levels, being inversely related | | | | you might think of. |
| to each other. It is really crucial to be aware of | | | | Of course, be aware of the policies that |
| the fluctuation's effects on trout activities. | | | | safeguard these "precious and intelligent metals" |
| The next basic step and the first item to prepare | | | | and make sure not to violate them. Besides all |
| is the bait. Of course, you need to acquaint | | | | that, remember to be patient all the while and of |
| yourself with the trouts' preferred diet. Baits could | | | | course--have fun! |
| be artificial or natural. Using flies could be | | | | |