subject: Fising For Rainbow Trout [print this page] One of the most sought after fishing experience in Alaska is the hunt for the Rainbow Trout. The Rainbow lives in many of the North American rivers, but there is a reputation surrounding Alaskan fishing that makes the Rainbow taste even better when it is caught there.
Rainbow trout are very similar to salmon in shape. The marginally forked tail features dark spots that are very visible.
The Rainbow's back is colored as dark olive which gradually fades to a silver white on its stomach. The entire body has dark spots.
There is also a characteristic pink or reddish stripe that crosses the sides of the fish the long way. This stripe is what lends the Rainbow trout its name.
Rainbows can travel to the ocean or one of the Great Lakes for a few years. If it travels back to fresh water, it is then called a 'Steel head.'
Trout are an integral part of western North America. From the west, Rainbows were introduced to the Great Lakes area, the Great Plains, and southwestern Mexico.
Due to their high demand, fishing and game organizations located in the Northeast United States make sure to stock these trout. Rainbows naturally spawn during the spring season in small tributaries or lake inlets and outlets.
However, these trout can spawn anytime throughout the year. The ideal water temperatures for spawning are between fifty to sixty degrees Fahrenheit.
The Rainbow's colors darken with more pronounced spots and a more defined pink stripe during spawning season. Impressive photos can be taken of caught Rainbows around this time because the trout are looking their best.
The typical size of a grown Rainbow is between ten and sixteen inches. However, they can grow to a much bigger size than sixteen inches.
They seem to limit their size to the size of the environment they are living in. A trout that lives in a lake could gain up to ten pounds while a trout that lives in a small pool will only grow to a much smaller size.
Most fishermen seeking to catch a Rainbow will use fly fishing, spin fishing, or ultra light fishing techniques. There is a wide variety of items that can be used as bait for trout.
Due to their widely varying diet, Rainbows are known as the predator in the waters. As they age they grow even bigger and eat even more.
These fish will also try to eat tiny insects, small fish, small rodents, synthetic flies, minnows, worms, and much more. Some fishermen also use the traditional spinners, lures, and worms.
Of course, live worms are much more effective in catching Rainbow trout than dead ones. While the trout will eat almost anything, it is important that the bait is used correctly in order to get the fish to bite.
Many professional fishermen favor the Snell hook when seeking to catch Rainbow trout. However, many others use other kinds of hooks and are similarly successful.
The technique that is used will directly affect how many Rainbow trout a fisherman is able to catch in one day. In addition, every fisherman has a slightly different initial style that will affect their ability to catch fish.
The Rainbow trout is one of the top varieties of fish people seek when they travel to Alaska to fish because of the many opportunities Alaska offers to catch them. Alaska features over 585,000 square miles of beautiful nature and wilderness.
This wilderness is the ideal home for these fish. There are many fishermen and women that will fish for Rainbows throughout the winter.
When asked what they enjoy most about fishing most fishermen will say the connection with nature, the challenge of catching the most fish, or the fantastic dinner they will enjoy when they get home. They make a nutritious meal.
Fishing for trout is not considered to be difficult. To get started a new fisherman only needs a foundational background on trout, the proper equipment, and perhaps a boat.
As with all fish, the Rainbow trout tastes the best when it is prepared fresh. The reward of a fresh trout dinner after a beautiful day spent in nature can be one of the most satisfying things in life.
