10-24 REELLIFE digital - Flipbook - Page 8
fishing
Fall Trout Techniques
By Hannah Pennebaker
Conventional wisdom
dictates that trout fishing
usually slows down in
the heat of the summer.
Trout prefer cold water
temperatures and go off
the bite when the water
gets too warm for comfort.
Around October, water
temperatures cool down
and the bite starts to come
back on. The fish have
been feeding and growing
since spring, so they're
usually feistier and bigger.
They're a ton of fun for
kids and adults alike. Fall in
the Pacific Northwest can
be the best time of year
to catch trout! Read on to
learn how you can reach
your limit on these tasty fall
treats.
TROLLING
Don't winterize the boat
just yet! Now is the time
to troll big spoons and
spinners. The fish are
looking to pack on some
pounds before winter
and are more likely to
strike large presentations.
Try trolling size 7 jointed
Rapalas. Bold colors such
as fire tiger and chartreuse
are great in the fall. Now
is the time to experiment
with something different.
This is my favorite time of
year to use large trolling
flies. That said, the usual
techniques such as Mac's
Wedding Rings paired
with small dodgers and
lake trolls will work very
well. I'd recommend
trolling faster than you
would in the spring or
summer. The fish are more
energetic and willing to
chase down a lure. How
deep you should set your
lures is where things get
less certain. Sometimes
they're on the surface, and
other days they’re in the
mid-water column. This is
where having a decent fish
finder will be important. Be
adaptable and always have
a plan B!
SHORE FISHING
No boat? Have no fear, fall
trout cruise the shoreline
and you have a good
chance of bringing home
your limit. Dough baits are
always a reliable option,
though not the most
exciting way to fish. On 2
pole endorsement lakes, I
like to soak dough bait with
