Trout and Their Habitat
Recommended Prerequisites: Getting
Started, Flies and Rigging Technique, The
Perfect Cast and The Perfect Presentation.
Started, Flies and Rigging Technique, The
Perfect Cast and The Perfect Presentation.
Length: 1 hour plus
20 min. promo $29.95
20 min. promo $29.95
This program includes scenes from
numerous streams located throughout
the United States from the East, Mid-
West and Western states.
numerous streams located throughout
the United States from the East, Mid-
West and Western states.
“Trout and Their Habitat” covers the
four major species of trout; the
Brown, Brook, Cutthroat and
Rainbow; their range, and distribution.
four major species of trout; the
Brown, Brook, Cutthroat and
Rainbow; their range, and distribution.
New Release!
| Angie with a rare Cutthroat Trout from an alpine stream in Colorado |
Length: 1 hour plus 20
min. promo $29.95
min. promo $29.95
Considerations that should to be given to the
different types of water, such as pools, runs and
riffles are included.
different types of water, such as pools, runs and
riffles are included.
| James with a Big Rainbow at the Famous $3.00 Bridge on the Madison River |
*****Learn about the particular habits and habitats of
each species.
each species.
*****Understand the different strategies used for
freestone streams, tail-waters, spring creeks and still
waters.
freestone streams, tail-waters, spring creeks and still
waters.
| A small Golden Stonefly nymph and a large Giant Stonefly nymph |
*****Examine the differences in native, stocked and stream bred or wild trout.
*****The trout’s senses of sight and hearing are discussed in relationship to how it
affects the angler’s approach.
affects the angler’s approach.
Almost ironically, tail waters are affected
by the same acts of nature as the
freestone streams, that is, rainfall and
snowfall. It is just that man is somewhat
in control of it. Some dams were built
strictly for flood control purposes and in
this case, the dam’s floodgates allow a
more steady disbursement of the
floodwater than Mother Nature would
allow.
Most dams were built to produce
electricity. Hydroelectric dams also are
used to control flooding. Water is
supplied by the reservoir above the dam
and is dispersed through the turbines of
the power generators as needed for
electricity. Most of these dams also have
flood, gates that allow additional water
beyond the capacity of the turbines to
pass through in the event of heavy rain or
melting snow upstream. In many areas,
the tail waters of dams are only cold
enough to support trout due to the fact
that the water is taken from the bottom
of the lake or reservoir, which of course,
is much colder than the surface and
upper layers of the lake water. For this
reason, many tail waters, especially
those coming from very deep lakes, have
an almost constant water temperature
year round. For example, the tail waters
of Alabama’s Smith Lake, a very deep
impoundment, is cold enough to support
a good population of trout, even though
it is in the deep South. The San Juan
River, or tail waters of Navajo Lake,
New Mexico, is a top rated trout fishing
destinations thanks to its constant low
water temperature.
by the same acts of nature as the
freestone streams, that is, rainfall and
snowfall. It is just that man is somewhat
in control of it. Some dams were built
strictly for flood control purposes and in
this case, the dam’s floodgates allow a
more steady disbursement of the
floodwater than Mother Nature would
allow.
Most dams were built to produce
electricity. Hydroelectric dams also are
used to control flooding. Water is
supplied by the reservoir above the dam
and is dispersed through the turbines of
the power generators as needed for
electricity. Most of these dams also have
flood, gates that allow additional water
beyond the capacity of the turbines to
pass through in the event of heavy rain or
melting snow upstream. In many areas,
the tail waters of dams are only cold
enough to support trout due to the fact
that the water is taken from the bottom
of the lake or reservoir, which of course,
is much colder than the surface and
upper layers of the lake water. For this
reason, many tail waters, especially
those coming from very deep lakes, have
an almost constant water temperature
year round. For example, the tail waters
of Alabama’s Smith Lake, a very deep
impoundment, is cold enough to support
a good population of trout, even though
it is in the deep South. The San Juan
River, or tail waters of Navajo Lake,
New Mexico, is a top rated trout fishing
destinations thanks to its constant low
water temperature.
Generally speaking, native and stream bred trout
are more difficult to fool than stocked trout and
consequently, they are harder to catch. Hatchery
raised trout, in may cases, are caught shortly after
they have been stocked and in many cases, in
large numbers proportional to the quantity
stocked. For at least the earlier part of their life
stocked trout have become accustomed to being
fed at a hatchery. They have not developed the
same fear of predators as the native or stream
bred trout. They have not yet learned what their
new food supply, consist of and can therefore be
fooled by a large variety of baits and flies. Neither
have they learned where to feed most effectively
and where to rest in comfort and with security.
are more difficult to fool than stocked trout and
consequently, they are harder to catch. Hatchery
raised trout, in may cases, are caught shortly after
they have been stocked and in many cases, in
large numbers proportional to the quantity
stocked. For at least the earlier part of their life
stocked trout have become accustomed to being
fed at a hatchery. They have not developed the
same fear of predators as the native or stream
bred trout. They have not yet learned what their
new food supply, consist of and can therefore be
fooled by a large variety of baits and flies. Neither
have they learned where to feed most effectively
and where to rest in comfort and with security.
Of course, the amount of water in a freestone
stream is drastically affected by the amount of
rainfall, and when runoff occurs, snow fall. In the
higher elevations of the Western Rocky Mountains,
in late spring and early summer, this runoff can be
the major source of problems. Many streams
become unsuitable for fishing for a few weeks
during this time of the year. Runoff times are fairly
predictable. They may vary from year to year,
however, depending upon the amount of snowfall as
well as the elevation of the area and its Northern
proximity. Some runoff usually occurs in the
Appalachian mountains of the Eastern United
States, again depending upon the amount of
snowfall and the location and elevation of the
mountains that form the freestone stream.
All freestone streams are affected by the amount of
rainfall. Very heavy amounts of rainfall can cause
extreme turbulent stream conditions in the higher
elevations and flooding conditions in the lower
elevation streams. Just as bad for the trout
fisherman, as well as the trout, are periods of
draught, especially during the hot months of
summer. Water in some freestone streams can reach
critically, low levels and rates of flow that leads not
only to tough fishing conditions but also, harsh
environmental conditions for the trout.
stream is drastically affected by the amount of
rainfall, and when runoff occurs, snow fall. In the
higher elevations of the Western Rocky Mountains,
in late spring and early summer, this runoff can be
the major source of problems. Many streams
become unsuitable for fishing for a few weeks
during this time of the year. Runoff times are fairly
predictable. They may vary from year to year,
however, depending upon the amount of snowfall as
well as the elevation of the area and its Northern
proximity. Some runoff usually occurs in the
Appalachian mountains of the Eastern United
States, again depending upon the amount of
snowfall and the location and elevation of the
mountains that form the freestone stream.
All freestone streams are affected by the amount of
rainfall. Very heavy amounts of rainfall can cause
extreme turbulent stream conditions in the higher
elevations and flooding conditions in the lower
elevation streams. Just as bad for the trout
fisherman, as well as the trout, are periods of
draught, especially during the hot months of
summer. Water in some freestone streams can reach
critically, low levels and rates of flow that leads not
only to tough fishing conditions but also, harsh
environmental conditions for the trout.
Length: 1 hour plus 20 min. promo
$29.95
$29.95
The basic difference in fly-fishing streams and still water confronting anglers is that the trout
sometimes use the depths of the water to hide-that is deeper than they tend to do in streams.
Trout in lakes and ponds also tend to use weed beds, logs, rocks and such, as cover, more so,
than they do in streams. Presenting flies at various depths and around cover is very different from
drifting flies in the current in many ways. You must get used to sinking tip and sinking fly lines,
except during those good dry fly days that occasionally occur, and you must get used to stripping
line. Instead of relying on the currents to present your fly, you must do it.
Water temperature may become more important than it is in streams because lakes and ponds
are more affected by the changes in weather and the temperature of the water varies according to
the depth. Some of the lakes are affected by what is called a “turnover”. In the early spring, just
after the snow and ice has melted, the water near the surface is the coldest part and the lower
levels of water are warmer. As the lake warms, the surface water becomes warmer than the
lower water levels and the lake “turns over”, so to speak. Naturally, this has an effect on the
whereabouts of the trout.
sometimes use the depths of the water to hide-that is deeper than they tend to do in streams.
Trout in lakes and ponds also tend to use weed beds, logs, rocks and such, as cover, more so,
than they do in streams. Presenting flies at various depths and around cover is very different from
drifting flies in the current in many ways. You must get used to sinking tip and sinking fly lines,
except during those good dry fly days that occasionally occur, and you must get used to stripping
line. Instead of relying on the currents to present your fly, you must do it.
Water temperature may become more important than it is in streams because lakes and ponds
are more affected by the changes in weather and the temperature of the water varies according to
the depth. Some of the lakes are affected by what is called a “turnover”. In the early spring, just
after the snow and ice has melted, the water near the surface is the coldest part and the lower
levels of water are warmer. As the lake warms, the surface water becomes warmer than the
lower water levels and the lake “turns over”, so to speak. Naturally, this has an effect on the
whereabouts of the trout.
The fact that there is a blind spot in the trout’s vision may lead you to think that it is easier to
approach a trout from the rear than it actually is. Not only is the blind spot very small, when the
fish is moving its head back and forth in opposite directions, even slightly, there is in effect, no
blind spot. The fish can see in a complete three hundred and sixty degree circle.
Slipping up on a trout from the rear may be easier than it is from the front due to the fact that the
trout may be focusing its attention in the direction it is facing. The point is that it is usually much
easier to approach trout from the rear than from the direction they are looking for food. Fishing in
an upstream direction, from this standpoint, definitely has its advantages.
A trout can determine shape, size and color although it cannot see detail nearly as well as us
humans. Thank goodness. If it were not for this fact, we would have an extremely difficult time
fooling a trout into taking our fake fly. It is believed that the human eye is able to discern detail
several times better than the eyes of a trout. Much like us humans, if a fish detects something in its
peripheral vision, it usually turns its head to focus more clearly on it. Generally speaking, it is
contrast and movement that gets the trout’s attention. Trout can detect the movement of an
object, even when the object is not in clear focus.
approach a trout from the rear than it actually is. Not only is the blind spot very small, when the
fish is moving its head back and forth in opposite directions, even slightly, there is in effect, no
blind spot. The fish can see in a complete three hundred and sixty degree circle.
Slipping up on a trout from the rear may be easier than it is from the front due to the fact that the
trout may be focusing its attention in the direction it is facing. The point is that it is usually much
easier to approach trout from the rear than from the direction they are looking for food. Fishing in
an upstream direction, from this standpoint, definitely has its advantages.
A trout can determine shape, size and color although it cannot see detail nearly as well as us
humans. Thank goodness. If it were not for this fact, we would have an extremely difficult time
fooling a trout into taking our fake fly. It is believed that the human eye is able to discern detail
several times better than the eyes of a trout. Much like us humans, if a fish detects something in its
peripheral vision, it usually turns its head to focus more clearly on it. Generally speaking, it is
contrast and movement that gets the trout’s attention. Trout can detect the movement of an
object, even when the object is not in clear focus.
Copyright 2006 James Marsh, All Rights Reserved
Spring water is different from other trout
waters in many ways. It is usually
clearer, purer, supports more plant and
aquatic insect life and usually remains an
almost constant temperature year round.
The average temperature of spring
creeks is probably between forty-eight
and fifty degrees Fahrenheit. This
provides cool water for trout in the
summer and water that does not freeze
in the winter. This constant water
temperature and fertile ecology produces
heavy midge, mayfly and caddis hatches
as well as scuds and cress bugs. Some
spring creeks have stonefly hatches.
Normally, the rate of water flow is more
constant than it is with other type
streams and rivers. Of course, most
spring creeks have pools, riffles and runs
that vary the rate of flow, but it is not
nearly as affected by rainfall as freestone
streams.
Patterning what to use and how to fish
spring creeks is, if anything, easier than
other streams. Fishing them, however, is
usually more difficult. On a clear sunny
day with polarized sunglasses you can
usually easily spot trout in spring creeks
if you use a stealthy approach. This
tends to make you think they are ahead
of the game, but usually just adds up to
frustration when you realize the trout is
aware of your presence.
waters in many ways. It is usually
clearer, purer, supports more plant and
aquatic insect life and usually remains an
almost constant temperature year round.
The average temperature of spring
creeks is probably between forty-eight
and fifty degrees Fahrenheit. This
provides cool water for trout in the
summer and water that does not freeze
in the winter. This constant water
temperature and fertile ecology produces
heavy midge, mayfly and caddis hatches
as well as scuds and cress bugs. Some
spring creeks have stonefly hatches.
Normally, the rate of water flow is more
constant than it is with other type
streams and rivers. Of course, most
spring creeks have pools, riffles and runs
that vary the rate of flow, but it is not
nearly as affected by rainfall as freestone
streams.
Patterning what to use and how to fish
spring creeks is, if anything, easier than
other streams. Fishing them, however, is
usually more difficult. On a clear sunny
day with polarized sunglasses you can
usually easily spot trout in spring creeks
if you use a stealthy approach. This
tends to make you think they are ahead
of the game, but usually just adds up to
frustration when you realize the trout is
aware of your presence.
Fly Fishing DVD
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