Rainbow Trout
| Rainbow Trout | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oncorhynchus mykiss | ||||
| Species Information | ||||
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_trout | ||||
| Size / weight | ||||
| Young | up to | 0.4 (0.88) | kg (lb) | |
| Common | up to | 1.5 (3.3) | kg (lb) | |
| Trophy | up to | 2.3 (5.07) | kg (lb) | |
| Unique | up to | 3.5 (7.72) | kg (lb) | |
| Price / Reward | ||||
| Young | per kg | 150 | ||
| Common | per kg | 170 | ||
| Trophy | per kg | 170 | ||
| Unique | per kg | 170 | ||
Description
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a brightly colored fish of the salmon family native to freshwater tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in North America. This species prefers cool, clear streams and lakes with oxygenated water in the depths. Adult freshwater Rainbow Trout average between 0.5-2 kg (1.1 - 4.4 lb) and can reach up to 30 - 50 cm (12 - 20 in) in length but unique specimen of over 4 kg (9 lb) can sometimes be caught.. Adult Rainbows are distinguished by a broad reddish stripe along their body, from gills to the tail. Rainbow trout are predators with a varied diet and will eat nearly anything they can capture.
Preferred lures:
Preferred baits:
Locations
Recommended fishing methods and tackle
- #2 - #3/0
Rainbow trout are probably the most common and easiest to catch of all trout in North America. Even the stocked fish, however, can often be picky and sometimes you have to try a variety of approaches before you find what they want that day. Rainbows often jump when hooked and are a fun adversary on light tackle. As an added bonus, the mountain lakes where they are found (Rocky Lake and Falcon Lake) are very scenic which increase the fishing experience.
Locating the rainbow trout means to cast in every spot that suggest a deep hole or just to try to find such places. Being a fish that loves cold water, most of the times you find trout near to the bottom, so be patient and wait until the lure hit it.
An ultra light rod and reel are usually sufficient to land most trout. When fishing for rainbow trout it's recommended to fish with the lightest possible line. Trout have good eyesight and will often be scared away by line that is too thick or too visible. As general advice, fish with 2.70 kg (6 lb) fluorocarbon line or 0.90-1.80 kg (2-4 lb) mono line.
Rainbow trout eat a wide variety of lures, including spinners, spoons and jigs in the 1"-3" size range. Sometimes trout are focused on insects, so try small lures that are imitating them. You can cast them with regular spinning gear, at long enough distance, sufficient to reach trout' gathering places. After cast VERY SLOWLY retrieve lure back so that it looks like a bug drifting along. Watch carefully the line, trout takes the lure "on the fly" and sometimes you have to be very fast on the hook-set.