| Trout prefer cold water that is rich in oxygen | | | | can. Some conditions affect how well trout can |
| content. While each species of trout prefers | | | | see, primarily the clarity of the water. However, |
| different temperatures, in general trout as a | | | | keep in mind the eyesight of trout is quite sharp. |
| whole prefer those that are fifty to sixty eight | | | | Their night vision is also quite keen so if you are |
| degrees. If the water temperatures increase, | | | | fishing in the evening, be aware their eyesight is |
| they tend to go deeper into the water where it | | | | much better than ours. |
| cooler. The warmer the water, the lower the | | | | When fishing, wear clothing that blends into the |
| oxygen levels. They have to have the right | | | | environment and stay low so you do not stick |
| balance of temperature and oxygen levels to | | | | out as something foreign within their area. They |
| survive, though some species are more adaptable | | | | can also see colors and shades so while you |
| than others. | | | | should make sure to wear clothing to blend into |
| When water temperatures are at its optimum | | | | the environment, the color of bait and lures is |
| level, trout are very active and they feed a lot. | | | | equally important as they can attract the trout. |
| This makes for ideal fishing conditions. If it drops | | | | The best colors to wear are in the green/blue |
| below fifty degrees, though, the trout's | | | | spectrum. Colors such as red, orange and yellow |
| metabolism slows, making them lethargic and less | | | | are the most visible colors to trout - avoid them |
| prone to eat. When the water temperatures rise | | | | at all costs! Trout are also light sensitive. Just as |
| over seventy degrees, trout are uncomfortable, | | | | bright sunlight may affect our ability to see, it |
| their metabolism rises and they cannot take in the | | | | works the same with trout. One important note |
| necessary oxygen. They stop feeding at this point | | | | about trout is that they do not have eyelids. |
| also. So, for fishing, the ideal conditions occur | | | | When it's bright and sunny you and I would squint |
| when trout are active. | | | | or put on sunglasses, a trout cannot! That's |
| Because trout are adaptable they will move | | | | another reason why they will look for shaded |
| around in the water to find surroundings that are | | | | areas particularly during the middle of the day. |
| better suited. This is important to understand | | | | Trout also have what is called the refractive |
| because if you know how trout think, you can | | | | window. This means that the trout, because of |
| better catch them. If the temperature is warm, | | | | the light refracting on the water, can see above it |
| look to shaded areas and deeper waters. If the | | | | and a good distance into the surrounding |
| weather is cold, it is likely the fish are closer to | | | | environment. This is why it is also important to |
| the surface of the water. Because of the need | | | | stay low when approaching a fishing area. Trout |
| for oxygen, streams and rivers that are flowing | | | | are able to see light and shadow and when you |
| are also ideal locations for trout so look to the | | | | are standing straight up you are easy to see. If a |
| more active parts of the water source. | | | | trout sees you or any other predator, they |
| Pollutants in the water can also affect the | | | | typical reaction is to stay still and blend into the |
| comfort level of the trout, either by making it | | | | camouflage in the water. |
| more difficult to obtain oxygen or by not allowing | | | | However, as you draw closer, the trout may flee |
| them to see easily in murky waters. If they | | | | to avoid getting caught. If you are aware of this, |
| cannot see, they cannot feed as easily and this | | | | you can take steps to avoid alerting the fish to |
| translates to your ability to catch them. If they | | | | your presence, staying low and not attracting light |
| cannot see the bait on the end of the hook, you | | | | and shadow. |
| are not going to be as successful in catching the | | | | Smell is another sense that trout have that is |
| fish. | | | | highly sensitive. They can tell what smells right and |
| People who enjoy fishing year round should be | | | | what does not. This can work both to your |
| well aware of the environment where they are | | | | advantage and disadvantage. Consider the smell |
| planning to fish. Consider the temperature, cloud | | | | of bait. If it smells like food, the trout are more |
| cover, elevation and water conditions. If you can | | | | likely to bite. However, if it smells like human they |
| anticipate the needs of the trout based on | | | | will stay away. This is beneficial because you can |
| environmental conditions, you can figure out the | | | | purchase products that enhance the smell of bait |
| most likely area they will be in. | | | | that can be used on your hooks, lures and line. |
| In shallow water another issue for trout is | | | | But it can work to your disadvantage also. |
| predators. Because trout are a favorite food of | | | | Mosquito spray and sun block are often |
| many animals and birds and even other fish, they | | | | necessary for an entire day of fishing so you are |
| try to hide in areas that provide adequate shelter. | | | | not covered in bug bites or burned and |
| They will gravitate toward the shore where there | | | | uncomfortable all day. But fish can smell that and |
| is more likelihood of fallen logs and trees, | | | | will avoid you. The same goes for sweat, |
| shrubbery, rocks and overhangs. If you are | | | | perfumes and smoking. If you have these on you |
| aware of this trend you will be more successful in | | | | the fish can smell it. Additionally, if you are handling |
| catching them. | | | | bait and tackle you may transfer those odors to |
| Trout are concerned with being comfortable, | | | | your equipment, making it harder to catch the |
| eating and staying safe. In order to do this they | | | | fish. |
| prefer cool water, hidden areas and places that | | | | The good news is the sound of the human voice |
| are rich in their food source. Being aware of this is | | | | is out of range of a trout's hearing. So, talking to |
| a great way to start understanding trout basics | | | | one another while on the shore, at the pier or on |
| so you can hone your fishing tactics. As humans | | | | a boat is just fine. But, they do have a sense of |
| we use all five senses regularly: Sight, smell, taste, | | | | hearing that is sharp within ranges that humans |
| touch and hearing. Trout use the same senses | | | | cannot hear. This is honed to allow trout to find |
| but in different ways. | | | | food. They can feel vibrations in the water and |
| Just like humans and other animals, some senses | | | | this is something that will scare the trout away |
| are more developed than others and play an | | | | quickly. |
| important part of how to catch fish. You need to | | | | If you wade too quickly into the water, the fish |
| be aware of what senses are sharp and what to | | | | will be aware of your presence. If you have |
| avoid because of it. You may also want to | | | | people close to you throwing things in the water, |
| consider how those senses can be exploited to | | | | this will alert them of your presence. They will be |
| make fishing trout easier and more successful. | | | | wary of their surroundings and will not be as easy |
| Trout senses are acute and they use them to | | | | to bait. Thus, catching them will be a lot more |
| protect themselves. It is especially noteworthy | | | | difficult. |
| that when you catch an older trout, this is a feat. | | | | In trout, these two senses are interrelated. Some |
| They did not reach that level of maturity for | | | | anglers think that because this is such a |
| nothing. The older trout typically have highly hones | | | | secondary sense to trout that it is not worth |
| senses that kept them away from danger for | | | | mentioning. However, I have noticed trout both |
| this long. So if you are lucky enough (or skilled | | | | taste and touch to determine if a food source is |
| enough) to catch a mature trout, you have done | | | | real. They may nibble on bait or rub their body |
| something to be proud of! | | | | against it to see if it is real before taking a real |
| Trout have keen eyesight and see up to twenty | | | | bite. For some anglers, this may seem to indicate |
| feet in the water. In addition, they also have a | | | | a botched catch but if you are patient, the trout |
| wide range of view. Humans can only see within | | | | may just come back for more, allowing you to |
| 180 degrees but with trout, that is much larger so | | | | get him. |
| they can see things well in advance of when we | | | | |