*Sharper Hooks*
*Tighter Lines*
Brown trout

 

 

 



Information & facts

Species Namebrowntrout
Brown trout
(Salmo trutta)

Common Names
European Brown

Size Range
Average 12-18 inches. Brown trout can grow to 20+ inches (and several pounds) in quality populations.

Description
Brown trout are a popular and widely distributed game fish.   The Salmo genus name indicates they are not closely related to our native trout and salmon but rather are most closely related to Atlantic salmon, and like Atlantic salmon, they are of European origin. The Brown Trout has adapted well, inhabiting the waters of streams, rivers, and lakes. The single most outstanding distinguishing feature of brown trout are their dark spots on the sides of their body that are surrounded by light halos.

How to fish for Brown Trout

The Brown Trout prefers cooler water (54F to 65F) but is known for tolerating warmer waters (65F to 75F). Brown Trout are opportunistic feeders that are active both day and night. Their diet usually includes invertebrates from the stream, frogs, small fish and insects flying near the surface of the water. Their desire for insect larva, nymphs and pupae make the Brown Trout an ideal target for fly fishing. Brown Trout are wary and elusive fish that seek out cover under banks, trees, rocks, and any other objects that provide shelter.

Fly fishing is the more popular method of fishing for Brown Trout. In streams and small rivers most anglers will not encounter Brown Trout over 2 pounds. A 7 foot 4 weight fly rod with a matching reel spooled with 4 wt WF fly line should be suitable for most Brown Trout encountered by anglers in these bodies of water. If fly fishing large rivers or rivers that hold sea run Browns then a 9 foot 7 weight rod with a matching disc drag reel spooled with 7 wt WF fly line on top of lots of backing is more suited as these Brown Trout can be from 6 to 10 pounds.
Brown Trout are a wary fish and can be selective when it comes to taking a fly depending on the stream or river they are in. The following are some streamers that should work in most rivers and streams. Black Ghost Streamer Size 8 to 14, Wooly Buggers (black, black and olive, white, chartreuse and black and white) Sizes 6 to 14, Ed Shenk's Sculpin Sizes 6 to 14, Maribou Streamer (yellow, black, white, silver bodies and some gold tinsel) Sizes 6 to 14, Leech Streamers (Black, brown, grey-black) Sizes 4 to 8. 
Wet Fly Patterns can be some of the best producers for Brown Trout including the Brown Hackle Peacock Sizes 8 to 18, Grey Hackle Yellow sizes 8 to 18, Grey Hackle Green Sizes 8 to 18, Royal Coachman Sizes 8 to 16, Black Gnat Sizes 8 to 16.
Dry flies that can entice the Brown to rise are Adams Sizes 12 to 22, Sulfur Dun Size 12 to 20, Brown Bivisible Sizes 10 to 18, Grizzly Bivisible Sizes 10 to 24, Royal Coachman Fan Wing sizes 8 to 22, Stimulator Sizes 6 to 20, Blue Winged Olive Dun Sizes 12 to 24, Hendrickson and Red Quill Sizes: 12 to 18, Many nymph fly patterns work very well also.

Brown Trout Fishing Tips, Tricks and Tactics

Below are some of the best tips to help you when fishing for Brown Trout. I hope that you’ll find them to be both useful and effective.

Additional Resources for Trout Fishing

Hopefully the information provided on this page will make you more successful at catching brown trout. However, you may still want to expand your research on trout fishing and look into additional resources. That’s why I’ve provided you with additional places below where you can learn more about trout fishing. If you found my trout fishing tips useful then please share my website with your fellow anglers, friends, family and co-workers.