Best Way to Catch Brown Trout: A How-To Guide

Belonging originally to European waters, brown trout have become the most popular fish for anglers nationwide after being introduced artificially in the American streams at the start of the 20th century.

The brown trout is rarer than other species of trout, making it hard to catch one specifically.

The key to brown trout fishing lies in using the right techniques and thoroughly understanding their habits and their patterns.

What is the Best Way to Catch Brown Trout

In order to understand the best way, you need to be aware of certain factors.

These factors are essential in understanding the brown trout’s appearance, what lures to use for it, where they’re located, and what methodology works best for catching brown trout.

Here we’ve compiled all the factors as mentioned above and so much more so your fishing experience will be successful and you return home with your best catch!

Recognizing Brown Trout

First and foremost, you need to thoroughly understand the appearance of the brown trout so you can recognize them immediately when fishing in clear water.

As the name suggests, this fish is light brown all over with dark spots and red-orange flecks scattered across its skin.

However, the freshwater brown trout is not mainly brown in color. Its color can range from silver with few spots to the renowned muddy-brown color.

Brown trout is a medium-sized catch that can weigh up to 20kgs at times. They often measure up to 100cm. However, smaller brown trout can weigh under 2kgs at times.

Where to Look for Brown Trout

Brown trout is commonly found in freshwater bodies like lakes, rivers, and even dams at times.

However, if you’re fishing in a body connected to inlets, then they might migrate between the sea and the ocean regularly.

Brown trout prefer to shelter themselves and hang out around places that would hide them. Commonly, they can be found around water structures such as rocks, underwater plants, and so on.

Similarly, they’re more likely to be found during dusk or dawn rather than during the day when the sunlight is directly shining and revealing their locations.

In terms of lakes in the USA popularly known for brown trout fishing, here are some reported lakes that are known to be abundant in brown trout and will certainly maximize your chances of catching one with a good trout rod:

• White River, Arkansas
• Gunnison River Colorado
• Missouri River, Montana
• Green River, Utah
• Colorado River, Colorado
• North Platte River, Wyoming 

Best Baits for Brown Trout Fishing

You can catch brown trout on a variety of lures and baits as brown trout aren’t the pickiest feeders.

The trick lies in the technique you use to lure them out of their hiding places and how you manage to maneuver the situation to your advantage. Make sure you wear a pair of good polarized fishing sunglasses as well.

Since there’s no definite pick for brown trout when choosing baits, it’s essential to be aware of the types of trout lures available and which one works best for them.

The three common types are:

Live Bait 

During the summers, trout anglers swear by crickets and grasshoppers as their choice of live bait. Additionally, live maggots and worms are excellent in luring and tempting brown trout as well.

Dough Bait 

They mimic the appearance of putty but attract the brown trout immediately. Different color options are available in dough baits that trigger the brown trout to attack the dough bait aggressively.

Dead Bait 

Small, dead fish is extremely useful in attracting trout. They’re also readily available in frozen packs. Try to choose a small minnow resembling fish which will definitely aggravate the brown trout and lure it effectively.

How to Catch Brown Trout

It would be best if you employed a different range of techniques while trying to capture a brown trout.

For every method, you need to be aware of certain things so you can handle your catch with care and maximize your catch rate.

Some commonly asked questions have been compiled and answered below to increase your chances of catching brown trout:

Catch and Release for Brown Trout? 

Catch and release has become a popular option for American anglers as it’s a very sustainable route to take while fishing.

It preserves the population while fulfilling the competitive angling requirements. However, there’s a particular method you need to follow to make sure you release your catch.

Firstly, don’t prolong the time taken when they are battling the bait so you can prevent the trout from harming itself with the hook.

Then, when holding them to not squeeze them; instead handle them with care and be gentle. And lastly, don’t keep your catch out of the water for long.

How to Stop from Scarring Brown Trout Away? 

It would be best if you were calm and discrete around the stealthy brown trout. If you cause disturbance or splash around the water too much, they will run away from your location and hide.

Don’t move around your fishing line too much, and be patient and gentle. Trust the process!

Is Fly Fishing the Best Way to Catch German Brown Trout? 

Fly fishing is an effective way to catch any species, mainly German brown trout.

By using the correct fly baits and determining the trout behavior according to the season, fly fishing is one of the most engaging ways.

Brown Trout fishing can prove to be easy if you keep in check your techniques and the baits you use. Be sure to be aware of the area you’re angling in and what works there for most anglers.

Conclusion

Through this guide, we hope we have explained all elements necessary to devise the best way to catch.

By using the right techniques, bait, and keeping the season in mind, you can certainly make this impressive and rare trout catch.