Can't get trout to bite

[sayan]

How do you get trout to bite if they are 1-2 feet away from in clear water? I have tried putting roe and plastic pink worm right in front of it (almost touching it) to no avail.
Also, I know there are trouts hiding under a tree branch which you can't risk to put your line under, is there any way to get them out? Or do I play the waiting game?

I was so disappointed especially when I can see the fish and almost grab it.

 

[Mykester]

trout people say that if you can see the fish, the fish can see you. It's spooked, moved on and try a deeper pool.

 

[sayan]

I would think if they were spooked they would run away...but these guys were stubborn.

I tried in a deeper where there was trout and there was no way it would see me but they still wouldn't bite. Gotta keep tryin I guess.

 

[LICENSETOPIN]

If they are paired up and holding in the runs they are most likly spawning thus meaning they are busy are and not prone to hitting. Find pools where the bottom cannot be easily seen and fish those areas properly, that would be your best right now as the waters are very low from lack of rain.

 

[salmotrutta]

I would think if they were spooked they would run away...but these guys were stubborn.

I tried in a deeper where there was trout and there was no way it would see me but they still wouldn't bite. Gotta keep tryin I guess.

Long story short, keep trying with roe and worms, at different pools, during different parts of the day.

I fished all day today and caught 1 trout at the very end. There were 4 swimming in a mild rapid, and I had to drift a roe sac by them a few times. For some reason, they tend to lunge after a worm or roe sac when they are in rapids (but not spawning). If they are spawning, they don't seem to want to eat. If they are sitting in clear, still water, there are tactics to get them to bite, which are slightly more advanced.

If you have access to several pools, try them all at varying times of the day, to get a feel for when the trout are actively feeding. When they are actively feeding, they'll readily grab a roe sac or worm. Then you need to make sure that you have the proper line and drag, and that your knot is solid, otherwise you risk losing the fish.

 

[float^drifter]

heres my 2 cents. i never fish for fish that i can see. Like other guy said u see them they see u. If its 2 feet of water chances are they are just chilling/spawning and don't give a rats ass about your bait. Find a deeper pool and work with it u'll have more luck there.

 

[sayan]

tried today with no luck on the same deep pool. They seemed pretty active in the pool and I can see them getting spooked when they come close to me. I think I am spending too long on the same pool. The pools got a lot of suckers too.

Also, how do you know if a pools holding any fish if you can't see though?...I did walk about 1/2 a km trying in a couple of pools for a few minutes with not much luck either. I gotta find people and see them catching to see what I am doing wrong.

 

[wishniwasfishn]

The only way to know if there are fish in a deeper pool is to fish it. Try to move your shot around and even your float depth. Try different baits plastics and flies in all different colours and sizes. If you feel youve tried everything on that pool move on. A lot of the time ill pick up a fish on what i thought was going to be my last drift through the pool. If roe or worms arent working i throw on a spinner under my float and it usually aggravates the fish into a strike. If nothing i move on.

 

[getin]

The only way to know if there are fish in a deeper pool is to fish it. Try to move your shot around and even your float depth. Try different baits plastics and flies in all different colours and sizes. If you feel youve tried everything on that pool move on. A lot of the time ill pick up a fish on what i thought was going to be my last drift through the pool. If roe or worms arent working i throw on a spinner under my float and it usually aggravates the fish into a strike. If nothing i move on.

Spinner under the float! Interesting, I had always used it without the float, and lost several spinners, getting snagged on rocks, etc. Gotta try this

 

[wishniwasfishn]

They work great for aggressive fish. I first purchased a couple from centerpinangling.com. They swap the treble hook for a siwash which i have now done to a couple mepps and panther martins. You can trot you float through the pool to really get the blade spinning. I tend to work them about a foot higher then i would with my roe.

 

[Meppsman]

Remember guys, these fish won't bite if your standing very close to them. Especially if they are going around in circles.

 

[salmotrutta]

tried today with no luck on the same deep pool. They seemed pretty active in the pool and I can see them getting spooked when they come close to me. I think I am spending too long on the same pool. The pools got a lot of suckers too.

Also, how do you know if a pools holding any fish if you can't see though?...I did walk about 1/2 a km trying in a couple of pools for a few minutes with not much luck either. I gotta find people and see them catching to see what I am doing wrong.

You can catch steelhead from virtually any tributary that they spawn in during any month of the year. That said, I would say that the peak fishing is over for post-opener steelhead in the tribs. The fishing was hot around opener, but many fish have returned now.

Try using roe bags (try different colours), or worms, with small hooks (size 10 or 12), and the big thing is trying different (all) times of the day. Certain periods are extremely productive! No need to fish when it's pitch black.

Happy tying, casting and drifting...

 

[LICENSETOPIN]

^^on the contrary night time steelheading can be very productive, given the right conditions ofcourse but on the plus side there is virtually no fishing pressure for the most part.
just make sure u go to a pool that you know well (snags, trees, structure) and is obviously holding fish.