Spring trout challenge fishermen

We’re a long way from short-sleeve weather, but here and there a few true signs of spring are at hand. Early birds abound; lots of crows, a few robins, and a growing number of ducks and geese. More daylight and less dark go hand in hand with more green and less brown. Best of all, from the outdoorsman’s point of view, fishing season is open, and thankfully so are a fair number of regional rivers, streams, and a few small ponds.

Spring runoff conditions caused by melting snow and spring rain are a challenge to the fishermen, but trout take full advantage of the abundance of terrestrial and aquatic bugs and insects supplied by the higher water and heavier currents.

Although many anglers will postpone outings until the lakes and ponds shed their ice cover to allow trolling, or the streams recede and clear, and weather warms, good fishing is available now for hearty, persistent sportsmen. Fishing the spring freshet on a favorite Maine waterway demands appropriate clothing, particular gear, and specific techniques to assure consistent success. The most important asset for any early-season angler has to be the desire, better yet, the need, to shake off the oppression of winter and embrace the freedom of spring fishing, regardless of weather and water conditions.

Where to begin

The first step in selecting a spring waterway to fish is generally fairly simple, since most sports have several favorite regional streams they frequent throughout the season. Anglers new to an area or the concept of spring fishing would be wise to seek advice from an experienced friend who fishes high-water streams, ask at a local fishing gear shop, or get ideas from the regional warden or state fisheries biologist.

Choosing exactly which spots to fish will be the real challenge of high-water angling. If a favorite river has lots of trout all summer, it will have just as many at this time of year, but the fish will be in distinct high-water locations and will respond to baits in a manner much different from trout in warm, low-water conditions.

Just because a stream is high and somewhat dirty doesn’t mean the fish won’t bite. In fact, trout know that spring freshets wash more natural food in the form of insects, worms, and bottom-dwelling aquatics into the water for them to feed on. They set themselves up to take full advantage of the easy food while expending the least amount of energy in the high, cold water.

An angler can judge water clarity by standing on a bridge or high shoreline and looking at rocks in the water. Remember, you’re not interested in the center of the stream where the water level is usually fastest and deepest, but rather near the shoreline, along eddies and backwaters. How clearly a white rock shows up in a foot or more of water gives an idea how well a bait will be spotted by a fish, and remember they have better eyesight and a great sense of smell.

Perhaps the best method of judging stream clarity is to wade into the water and slowly move away from shore, closely watching the toe of your waders as you get into deep water. If you can see your boot tip in 8-12 inches of water, it’s worthwhile to fish, and if you can still see your boot in 16- to 24-inches of water, it’s likely to be a very good outing. Another method I use is to suspend a silver spinner on a length of monofilament and lower it to the bottom. When I can still see it flash in a foot or more of water, it’s time to add a baited hook and get down to business.

Cold-water hotspots

Bogans, backwaters, and good-sized coves are likely spots for trout to hole up and avoid the fast-moving, colder water of the main stream during the freshet. These locations are perfect for tossing out a bait and bobber rig for a watch- and-wait game. Anglers preferring to fish the main run of a brook or river will need to be very selective where they cast, since the fish will be laying up in runs very different than during the summer. Sections with the clearest water, least debris, and only a moderate current to bring food into their feeding zone will always hold several fish.

Shoreline eddies and bank undercuts are proven trout hot spots in cold water. Pools directly below dams with sluiceways, or pools downstream from natural or animal-built obstructions tend to attract trout to the deeper, clearer and calmer water.

Slow-moving water beside faster currents that funnel food also attract trout to lay up. Shallow water over gravel bars as well as above and below islands, spots that will be dry land within a week, are prime feeding areas as well. Trout also favor the eddies and shallow runs below and along any finger of land that forms between the confluence of two streams. With a bit of practice, even a novice spring angler will be able to spot these prime, high-water holding runs. Then it’s only a matter of how to fish them and with what.

Shore casting

Some April anglers prefer to fish from shore, and for many locations this can be a successful method. Deadwaters, bogans, coves, pools below dams, and runs with light current will all give up trout to lures and bait being cast from the river bank. Lures work best when cast across any current and slowly retrieved in such a manner that they run right along bottom with as much wobble as possible. A small red-and-white Dardevle, silver super duper, Al’s goldfish, and a silver and yellow Mepps spinner are proven spring lures. Plugs that resemble baitfish such as a Mirror Minnow and a Yo-Zuri pin smelt are also consistent trout takers when fished deep and slow.

In spots with no current, tossing out a bait and bobber setup and waiting and watching is the best way to go. For anglers who prefer to stay active, it can be productive to cast out a worm rig from shore and slowly retrieve it allowing the bait to bump along the bottom.

Bait-and-wait anglers often carry a light folding chair along, set out a couple of bobber rigs, prop the rods on forked sticks and trade stories with other anglers until the bobbers begin dancing. In lieu of a chair, a five-gallon bucket and cover can be used to carry tackle, a bait can, thermos, lunch, extra clothes and other gear, and will also serve as a waterproof seat.

Wading works

Without a doubt, wading fishermen are able to cover more water and attain far better casting and retrieval angles to likely spring holding runs. Since feeding trout face into the current, worm fishermen will have the best luck by positioning themselves below a likely pool, casting upstream, and retrieving the bait along the bottom into the feeding funnel of holding fish.

A shiny spinner above the hook will help draw attention to the bait at a greater distance in dingy water. If a spinner isn’t used, a non-toxic sinker will be needed to slow and bounce the worm along the bottom to assure the bait isn’t swept past the trout too quickly. Sinker size will be determined by current speed on each pool and by current stream levels.

Despite cold, coffee-colored water and lethargic metabolisms, trout will still take a fly if it’s properly presented in their feeding zone. Fly casters need to remember to fish the quiet seams along faster water. Wading to a position on either side of a likely run allows the fly to be cast cross current and retrieved slowly so the pattern sinks and swings in an arc through the pool.

Use of full-sinking line, or at least a sinking tip line and sinking leader in conjunction with a heavy streamer or nymph will assure the fly swings low and slow. Colorful patterns such as a red and white bucktail, Mickey Finn, Miss Sharon, or little brook trout show up well in dirty, debris-filled water. As streams begin to clear to a tea color, try baitfish or nymph imitations such as a gray ghost, Herb Johnson special, black woolly bugger, olive matuka, or a black-nosed dace.

Comfort and safety

Precarious at best, wading high water spring streams can be downright dangerous if care isn’t taken. Many waterways, especially farther north, are still snow lined, and shoreline rocks are ice-coated. A bankside slip can break bones and a fall while wading can have dire consequences. Felt-soled waders offer better footing in and out of the water, and always wear a wader belt to prevent water from filling the chest waders if you go down. Properly using a wading staff for support in heavy current doesn’t mean you’re getting older, only smarter. The new lightweight, suspender-style flotation vests that automatically inflate by CO2 cartridge when submerged are a wise choice for cold-water fishing.

Even if you’re just going to fish from the shoreline, warm, waterproof boots with all-terrain soles are necessary to withstand the snow, slush, and mud. April can offer a sunny 55-degree day followed by a day of snow and freezing wind, so dress in warm layers. Wool and goose down are always reliable and don’t forget a hat and fingerless gloves. Neoprene waders provide excellent insulation, but for a couple of hours standing in freezing water, it pays to wear longjohns as well.

High-water spring fishing requires a bit of special preparation. Particular clothing, special fishing techniques for limited pools and runs, and extra care and attention when moving about are all considerations. Nonetheless, streams are open, the trout are at hand and hungry, and you can’t hook any from the comfort of your living room. April fishing is for devoted anglers; try it and join the growing legion.

Outdoor feature writer Bill Graves can be reached at graves@polarisumpi.maine.edu