Trolling Flies For Rainbow Trout

There are many benefits of trolling flies for rainbow trout. Learn the benefits of this technique and when to use it. You’ll also learn about the advantages of trolling speed. This article will discuss the importance of speed when trolling and a fly we recommend: the Bunny Leech Fly. This is an excellent choice for many reasons. Learn how to make it work for you by reading the rest of this article.

The advantage of trolling flies

When it comes to fishing for trout, the advantage of trolling is that the fish are not actively pursuing the fly. Trout are high in the water column during the fall and within striking distance of shallow-dived flies. They are also hungry during the fall and summer months and do not exert as much energy as they do during other seasons. To lure them in, flies must mimic the natural prey of trout and have a lot of action.

Fly fishing with flies offers simplicity and freedom when fishing for rainbow trout. No special equipment is needed. You can fish from almost any boat. This technique is particularly useful for small waters and shallow depths. It requires patience when fishing with flies because you must let out the line at the right time. Some smaller flies need more lines out than others.

When to troll with flies

If you’re planning to troll with flies for trophy rainbow trout, you need to know when they’re most active. Fall is one of the best times to catch them since they’re high in the water column and within reach of your shallow-dived flies. And because these fish are particularly hungry, the best time to present a fly is right before feeding on baitfish.

When trolling with flies, you’ll want to use a floating line to keep the fly from getting too wet. When you’re trolling with flies, you should use afloat, which helps keep the fly from sinking and provides added movement. Also, floating on the water is essential because troll fish are often spooked and will attack your fly. If you’re not familiar with this technique, a planer board or downrigger will help you determine what depth you need to cover.

When trolling with flies, you should know the location of the action disk on your fly. This will affect the amount of action you get from your fly. If you’re trolling slowly, you can place the action disk in the nose of the fly, while if you’re trolling fast, the action disk will be four inches ahead of your fly. A split shot will also reduce the action and keep the fly from sinking.

Importance of Trolling speed

The correct trolling speed for rainbow trout depends on the species of the fish you are targeting. In cooler water, you should move slowly and use heavier lures. You can speed up trolling in warmer water and use lighter lures. Because trout prefer warmer water, they spend less energy hunting for food and will bite more frequently if you go faster. So, how do you determine the correct speed? Here are a few tips to help you get started:

First, determine the depth of the water. Depending on the depth of the water, you can choose to move between 0.6 to 2.5 mph while fishing. Usually, the best overall trolling speed for rainbow trout is about 1.5 mph. Another important tip is to change your direction often, increasing your chances of catching more fish. Always troll parallels to shoals and avoids going over them. Most trout flies can be trolled effectively, so, here are few example to get you started:

Bunny Leech Fly

The Bunny Leech Fly is one of the best-known fly patterns for trolling rainbow trout. It uses only two materials: thread and a single hook. Hold the hook securely in the vice to tie a Bunny Leech using your thumb and forefinger. Wrap the thread over the shank of the hook, working backward. Then, cut off the tag end of the thread and tie the fly.

If you are fishing in colder water, you should use a sinking line with a long leader. Wait until the fly sinks and vary the duration. A good way to fish with this pattern is by casting across a river at an angle of 45 degrees. Once the fly reaches the right depth, give it long mend upstream and wait for the fish to strike. To increase your odds of catching a rainbow trout, cast the Bunny Leech at the right angle for the right time of day.

A large-bodied fly with a marabou tail and soft saddle hackle ribs are good for predatory fish such as rainbow trout and steelhead. The “egg-sucking” version is great for fall-run fishing. The same fly pattern works well for steelhead and salmon. It has an appealing undulating appearance and is easy to tie. When tying a Bunny Leech, make sure to tie several in different sizes and colors to suit your fishing style.

Light Spruce fly

The Light Spruce is a classic featherwing streamer pattern. It is tied with Furnace or Badger hackles. It was developed by Milo and Bert Godfrey in 1918 while they were fishing the upper Lewis and Clark River in Oregon. The original Spruce Fly pattern had four strands of Peacock sword for the body and tail, but this design is a much more effective choice for Sierran streams. The predominant center stripe in the fly gives it the appearance of baitfish.

This light spruce fly is a 4″-long imitation of an insect. It is trolled on the surface, where big cold-water trout live. This pattern can catch various species when fished correctly, including rainbow trout. This pattern works well on both warm-water and cold-water ponds. If you’re using a spinning reel, be sure to choose a line that is long enough to achieve a good troll speed.

Trout Streamers

When fishing for rainbows, you’ll want to use streamers. They’re great for catching these fish in large rivers because they allow you to map out a wide water area. They also work well in fast, deep currents. One of the best clean and turbid water patterns is a black woolly bugger tied with a chartreuse trigger. It’s a very effective fly for freshly stocked fish and mature fish.

Streamers can be tied in a variety of colors and sizes. This technique is most effective during the warm summer months when many saltwater species feed near the water’s surface. You should also keep an eye on changing currents while casting a streamer. Keep your line straight, as this will help the fly glide through the water column. The hairs on the wing should be blended with the colors on the fly above and below it.

Zonkers is another great streamer that works well in running and still water. They’re designed to imitate crayfish and other small fish. You’ll want to fish with a black Zonker in clean water and brown ones in dirty water. A black Zonker can be effective in clear and dirty water, but the brown variety is especially effective when the fish feed on crayfish. The Grizzly Zonker is a gorgeous minnow imitation with a pulsing action that makes it an ideal choice for various species.

Wooly Bugger

The Wooly Bugger is a wet fly or streamer created by Pennsylvanian fly tier Russell Blessing in 1967. While the exact origin of this trout fly is not clear, it is believed to have its roots in the British palmer fly tied by Charles Walton. The technique of using the Woolly Bugger depends on the type of fish you are targeting, the size of the bugger, and the time of year you are fishing.

The bugger is a great choice for riffles or deep flats, as it imitates a variety of prey items. You can twitch the fly slowly upstream through the riffle, and fish will strike it as they follow the nymph upstream. This unique pattern will get you strikes in shallow and deep water, and it’s fun to fish.

Classic McFly

One of the most popular trout fishing flies is the Classic McFly trolling fly. This fly is typically four inches long and is trolled on the water’s surface, where big cold-water trout feed during the winter. To increase your chances of success, select a fly that mimics the life cycle of the trout. If you want to catch these fish on the fly, the following tips will help you pick the best size and pattern.

Use a monofilament or braided line when troll fishing with a Classic McFly. You should also use a downrigger when troll fishing this fly, as it will keep the fly down at the bottom of the lake. To ensure that your fly lands, you can use an Action Disc to adjust the weight and slow down. Try trolling at 1.2 mph to avoid line twists and vibration problems.