Colorado Trout Fishing Techniques

One of the most well known places to fish for trout is Colorado. Do you know the greatest Colorado trout fishing techniques to help you have a successful run every fishing day?

There are different methods which are recommended when fishing for trout in Colorado. The basic techniques are:

• Drift fishing
• Float fishing
• Jig fishing
• Tight lining

If you are going Colorado trout fishing, chances are you will want to use one of these methods, but which one, and how? How do you know when you use which?

As a general rule, drift fishing can be used in pretty much any condition and still be effective. The great thing about drift fishing is that it allows you to cover a large area of the water and present the bait to a larger number of trout, increasing your chances of getting a bite. Remember to use just enough bait to cover the hook and no more.

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You can start drift fishing by using a split shot approximately 12 to 24 inches from your hook. Adjust to water conditions accordingly (larger split shot and longer leader for deeper fast moving water) and use a small treble or salmon hook. Cast upstream from the fish and slowly reel in the slack line as the current pushes it downstream.

One thing about drift fishing for trout is that they tend to bite lightly so you really have to be paying attention to notice it or you may lose your opportunity to snag one. Trout are often very particular about what they like to eat. You may fish in the same area two days in a row and have the trout enjoy the bait one day and dislike the same type of bait the next day. You can sometimes save yourself some time if you find out what other fishermen in the area are using. Also, try different colors of bait if one seems to not be working.

Float fishing is similar to drift fishing but you use a floater (bobber) with it as well. Adjust your floater according to the depth of the trout in the water. Set the hook when you see a sudden movement on your floater (indicating a bite).

Jigs are a type of artificial lure that are very popular. They come in a variety of sizes (1/16-ounce to 1/256th of an ounce) and colors. Effective colors in trout fishing are yellow, olive, white, black, brown or a combination of colors. Immediately set the hook when you feel a strike on your lure. Avoid setting the hook on sight alone and rely more on feel. Like with the bait, you can experiment with different colors to find what is working best on a certain day.

Bottom fishing may be the easiest yet effective method. (Don't try this method in high water). Use your polarized glasses to spot trout in slow moving water. Rigging consists of using the desired hook with bait and crimping the appropriate split shot 12 to 24 inches above the hook. Cast your line upstream from the fish and let the bait settle to the bottom.

Lake Trout Fishing Flies, Lures And Bait

If you are going lake trout fishing, it is important to understand more about the types of flies, lures and baits that are available to you and how and when to use each type.

***Note*** Know your zones. There are certain areas that allow trout fishing during season but that have certain rules and restrictions in that particular zone. Some zones have restrictions on flies, lures and bait so be sure you become familiar with the rules of that place you are going fishing.

Flies, lures and baits are often classified as you see below:

Class A: Natural and scented baits.

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This includes natural fish food such as bait fish, crayfish, frogs permitted as bait, grubs, insects, larvae, worms, salmon eggs, cheese, corn and other food substances. Class A is anything that is not designed to injure or kill the fish. Class A does not include fishing flies or artificial lures. It does include dough bait, putty or paste-type bait, any substance designed to attract fish by taste or smell and any fly, lure or bait containing or used with such substances.

Class B: Soft plastic unscented bait.

This includes synthetic eggs, synthetic worms, synthetic grubs and soft plastic lures.

Class C: Artificial Lures.

This includes lures constructed of any material excluding soft plastic bait and natural and scented bait defined in (A) or (B) above.

Class D: Fly.

This is an artificial lure made from a single-point hook, using any material except soft plastic bait and natural and scented bait as defined above, that is tied, glued or otherwise permanently attached.

When zone restrictions are present, they will usually be listed by referencing to type A, B, C, and D. Be sure you look into any and all possible restrictions before you begin fishing in an area.

When it comes to choosing a type of lake trout fishing fly, lure or bait, you need to remember that trout tend to be very finicky and unpredictable. Because of this, you may want to bring several different types of each choice with you so that if you are unsuccessful with one, you can try another. You can always try to ask other fishermen in the area what they are using but there is no guarantee that it will work for you or even that they will tell you.

Trial and error in a particular area of trout lake fishing usually works well. When you are not seeing results from one type of bait after some time, then simply try another and see if the trout enjoy it.