There's an old saying, "If you want to hide something from the public, put it in a book." When trying to learn something new, most of us fail to take the time to take a trip to the local library (or these days a good internet search for an e-book). Learning trout fishing is no exception, get a book! We generally turn to friends and family for advice, but, unless you are related to a world-class angler, there is a lot to learn from reading a good book on trout fishing.
What They Look Like and What They Eat
The first step is learning about trout in general. Pick a book that can teach you to identify some of the most common species like Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Brook Trout. Learning about a trout's diet is particularly important. Trout eat primarily aquatic invertebrates like mayflies and caddis flies. A common misconception is that trout are usually after flying insects. It's actually the opposite. Ninety percent of the time they eat underwater flies that have not matured (this is why worms like nightcrawlers are a good choice for bait). A book that teaches you to identify the different kinds of flies trout eat can help you choose your bait.
Where to Find Them
Your uncle Bob may know where the trout are in your city, but his advice may not help you when you are on vacation across the country or across the world. A good trout fishing book will teach you what kind of trout can be found in lakes vs. rivers vs. brooks. They can show you which locations have natural trout and which have hatchery trout (this is important because hatchery trout tend to prefer different baits). They can help you understand the Riffle-Run-Pool secret of river and brook trout fishing. This trick will help you understand when and how to fish in the different parts of the river based on speed and depth of the water.
Which Bait to Use
There are thousands of options of bait, from live bait to synthetic bait, lures to spoons, dry flies to wet flies, and nymphs to cheese. A good book can teach you when to use a particular type of bait. For example, in the summer after a big bug hatch, if you notice lots of caddis flies flying around your fishing hole, you want to choose a caddis fly imitator like the Elk Caddis Fly.
What Gear or Tackle to Buy
The gear you need to buy depends on the fishing style you choose. Fly fishing combos are totally different from spin fishing combos. A good book can point you in the direction of quality gear and tackle that fits your style and budget.
A Few Good Books
Some popular paperback books on trout fishing include: Trout from Small Streams Book by John Mercer, The Orvis Guide To Reading Trout Streams by Tom Rosenbauer, or Trout Rigs & Methods by Dave Hughes. Or, if you prefer not to wait for shipping, there are some great e-Books on the market that will help make your next fishing trip a success.
