1. The correct set-up and gear
Tips for catching trout in streams and creeks across California can be an exciting outdoor sporting experience. But in every case, you’ll need to make any fishing trip as convenient as possible. Just for the sake of portability, you’ll want to take a light but a very complete fishing kit with you. This includes the right rod and fishing line that’s lightweight and portable for fishing in small streams and creeks.
It should also be for the right kind of waters you decide to fish within. Taking into account the water depth, the situations you get into, and the landscape you’ll obviously be working around. This is where your fishing gear needs to reflect these conditions. Trout can grow to sizes that are 16 inches in length or greater. However many rivers and creek trout you are allowed to keep are under 8 inches. This is why you should use a 2-10Lb Mono test line.
This is ideal for spinning and casting but bring at least 3 varieties of Monoline depending where you fish. Steelhead in trout fishing creeks, often grow over 16 inches and have a catch and release order. This is why a 10Lb Mono line will save you trouble if you are fishing in Steelhead waters. Don’t go over anything more than a 10Lbs rod as well. Using 2-6Lb rods with soft tips and light lines is best for trout fishing streams with smaller native fish.
Here’s a very nice example of a starter kit:
· Additional trout fishing regulations:
Refer to page 28-65 for the complete creed limits. These pages include legal tips for catching trout in fishing streams and creeks throughout the state of California. It also tells you useful information that will allow you to take home a daily limit. There is additional info that mentions what needs to be released and recorded.
· Permits
Fishing for trout in California is regulated and allowed with a fishing license that can be obtained from the ALDS. This is known as the Automated License Data System. With the appropriate information provided, you will be issued a California sports fishing license. Many of the rules also include mandatory report card requirements for Steelhead caught in anadromous waters. Report card entries also apply if they are allowed to be taken and kept.
· The 2020-2021 Season
This is starting from last Saturday in April through November 15th. The 2021 season likely follows the same starting dates, so your fishing license needs to be valid through these dates. This will also allow you to practice your trout fishing techniques for streams and creeks for most of the year.
· Bag and possession limits
All throughout California, you’ll find that typically 5 trout per day is your allowed creed limit. This is often with a maximum of 10 in possession, so you’ll need to observe these rules to avoid trouble. If a friendly Fish and Game Ranger’ happens to wander through your fishing zone, it’s not uncommon they’ll be checking.
· September 5th Free fishing day
There are two days each year where there is a statewide allowance for free fishing days. While these are geared towards novice beginners who are curious about fishing, July 4th, and September 5th allow free fishing. This means that you don’t need a license but there is one major catch. Those who do have a fishing license are required to file a report card on these days for catching Steelhead.
2. Prepare to be versatile in your fishing style
Don’t always use the same technique for fishing, it doesn’t help. There are several tips for catching trout in streams that can entice them to strike your lure. This involves using different kinds of bait that trout will find tasty to eat. Mix it up with live, artificial, feather flies and spinning lures. There’s also a natural effect that causes the trout to bite since they are always hungry.
You should try using seasonal insects that are abundant at that time of year. Bring a lightweight butterfly net and catch what insects you need, or one’s that get close to the water’s edge. It also helps to know what food your trout recognize for that time of the year. Natural and aggressive looking baits are always nice, but they need to fit into the local habitat too. If you decide to use something with scent, it should reflect a trout’s natural diet they already sense.
Think about what looks familiar to a trout? Is it nymphs or flies, or larger bugs and small creepy crawlers? Have a wide variety of goodies in your bait kit as a tip for catching trout in creeks and streams. Of course, you need to select the right hook that your bait goes onto. This is further specified at the bottom of page 29 in the California freshwater sport fishing regulations for 2020-2021. Many of the Steelhead trout require barbless hooks for catch and release purposes.
3. Use creativity around selected fishing holes
Don’t stick to a standard technique of fishing around the edges, or going straight to the bottom of fishing holes. Break up your routine using different angles and random locations instead. The less predictable you become, the more likely a successful catch will occur. Try positioning your line over various flowing water currents too. You’ll want to be open to fish for the trout rather than scaring them away.
Your prospective trout will want things that look out of the ordinary, but also with a natural appearance. This means you need to simulate what the bait would do in real life. Be creative like a puppeteer and make the bait act as it would in real life. This can increase your total catch and improve your trout fishing techniques for streams. A great reference for this is from traditional hand puppetry skills.
· Walking bug puppet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZcrbssOOvw
Your line is attached from your rod, but you can still give a slight movement that includes 4 directions. You might be amazed at how much you can simulate bobbing or wiggling insects trying to escape the water. This is one of those tips for catching trout in streams and creeks they don’t like to tell you about.
4. Always be invisible to your trout
Trout have very good eyesight since they can see things that alert them in and out of the water. They have developed a visual accuracy for hiding from eagles, osprey, and nearly 20 other hunting birds that like trout. So needless to say, your positioning is important before you cast a line. Your best bet is to stand away further from the creek edge by 15 feet or so. Then you can easily fish a hole that’s off to the side with a direct line of sight.
This will make it more difficult for your trout to spot you by creating a natural blind spot. But if you need to get closer to the stream edge because of the landscape, wear dull colored clothes. Your chances of being spotted at trout fishing streams by these fish are reduced if you’re not wearing bright colors. But for safety reasons do not wear camouflage clothing since some state reserves also have deer hunting. It’s best to wear earthy colored clothes that don’t stand out.
Avoid colors such as red, green, blue, and UV-related colors, since these colors stand-out extremely well for trout. Browns and Khaki-colored clothes seem to work the best since most sport fishing vests are typically Khaki. Be aware of your shadow as well, since a trout will be spooked by a moving dark shape. It can signal danger to them and your element of surprise is instantly lost.
5. Go with the natural flow
When you’re trout fishing creeks and streams, any natural movement downstream will get noticed quickly. This is when the water current works on your favor to create lifelike lure tricks. Baits like spinners and lures that have built-in movements like flipping tails or rippling parts are exciting for your trout. These lures have flat inward curved pieces that watch water currents and flap wildly depending on the water flow.
This signals a trout into thinking an insect has fallen into the water and is flailing out of control. Casting and then moving the lure will get the attention of a hungry fish faster. But if the fish aren’t biting just yet, cover more than a single spot with plenty of ground instead. Just don’t use the same casting presentation more than twice, so always use varieties of casts to be less predictable.
Lightly casting and then moving the lure will get the attention of a hungry fish faster. The habitat for a trout is typically a wide area, so you need to simulate that territory where trout hunt. You shouldn’t stick to the same sweet spot, so wander casually around to new untapped locations. This gives you more variety and opportunistic tips for catching trout in streams that are hiding. And always keep moving for this reason, but be mindful of others who are fishing.
Your fishing trip will likely involve others who are joining, but some locations are never kept secret. You might encounter light crowds or heavily populated areas, so be prepared to keep your distance out of respect. Spooked trout are harder to catch simply due to crowds and too much movement. You’ll need to be selective in finding a quiet and relaxing trout fishing area.
