"A trout is a moment of beauty known only to those who seek it," Arnold Gingrich, avid angler and cofounder of Esquire magazine, once said. As one of the most sought-after fish species, many trout meet their demise via hooks disguised with natural bugs and minnows, prepared trout bait, or a variety of household food products. Trout approach their food cautiously with a nibbling habit. Exposed hooks easily scare them off, so be sure your bait completely covers all points.
Fly-Fishing Lures
The art and romance of fly-fishing have captured the imaginations of many fishermen. Flies are cast above the surface of the river to mimic natural insects. They are generally more lifelike than bulky bait used with spinning reels.
Dry flies rest on top of the water's surface to resemble mayflies, stoneflies and caddis. Cast your dry fly diagonally upstream with enough drag to mimic an adult insect naturally floating down the river. Make the trout think your fly is about to fly away by flicking your rod every few seconds, creating small movements that will get the trout's attention.
Wet flies sink lower in the water to look like drowning insects. Add a second wet fly with a 4-inch weighted dropper. Wet flies are most effective in faster currents. Cast into the current so it will carry your fly downstream.
Streamers are bait lures that mimic smaller fish, like minnows. They should sink deeper into the water and float in slower currents. Streamers work best in colder weather.
Nymph flies, which look like dragonflies and other larger insects, may be used on the surface like dry flies or sunk like wet flies. Weight them in faster rivers, but leave them unweighted to float on slow waters.
Natural Bait
Trout are sensitive to unnatural lures, so using flies in areas with few insects will spook them. Use natural bait common to these areas, like worms, minnows or other bait fish, crickets or grasshoppers. Natural bait is also useful in muddy waters when baits are hidden from sight; real bait fish and insects lure trout by scent.
Keep small bait fish alive until you hook them by keeping them in water. Small minnow buckets can be carried on fishing vests for wading fishermen. Live bait fish will wriggle on the hook, looking more natural in the water.
Live insects such as night crawlers, crickets, grasshoppers, mayflies and stoneflies can be hooked. Choose a hook slightly smaller than the bait size. Worms need to be wound around the hook and pierced at least twice to conceal the point. Insect larvae and fish eggs work best in early spring before insects have hatched. Crayfish can also be used in their native areas.
Prepared Trout Bait
Prepared trout baits are dough-like concoctions made to lure trout with bright colors or strong scents. Most bait starts with a cheese base so it can easily be balled and hooked. Commercial formulas are designed to emit stronger odors than natural baits or artificial flies.
Make your own prepared trout bait with flour, cornmeal, cheese and garlic. Mix 2 cups water, 1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tbsp. garlic powder and 1/4 pound melted cheese. Mix ingredients to form a dough. Drop small balls of dough into boiling water until they're cooked. After the dough balls cool, use them as sinking bait in deeper water.
Miscellaneous Baits
Casual trout anglers have used a variety of household items for bait. Whole kernel corn is a popular low-mess, economical bait. Corn is also easy for children to hook and good for squeamish anglers not keen on live insects. Marshmallows are another favorite bait of kids, but can melt in the water and make a sticky mess when wet. Various cereals, especially puffed rice or O-shaped pieces, work as bait in a pinch.
Rainbow trout are partial to the smell of cheese, so balls of cheddar cheese or processed cheese products can work. However, using cheese can get expensive. It is more economical to use the cheese in homemade dough baits because you make more bait that way.
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