River trout is also called pestle for its characteristic spotted color of the scales. The main distribution area of trout is Western Europe, here it is found in almost every river, except for the deepest and largest ones. In the northwestern part of Russia, where this fish is also found, they catch it with an ordinary float rod from early spring to freezing.
To catch river trout, you do not need any expensive special fishing equipment. All you need is a rod, reel, line, hook and float. Since trout is found in rapids with open banks, where there is little vegetation, the rod should be long enough - from 4.5 to 5 m. It is better to use a reel, an inexpensive spinning reel can be used, but, in extreme cases, you can do without it. It is better to choose a braided or veined fishing line, with a breaking strength of at least 2-3 kg. The thickness of the vein line should be 1, 3-0, 4 mm. For catching river trout, hooks from No. 3 to No. 5 are used, if the fish in this river is large. When the trout is not very large, hooks # 6 to # 9 should be used. It is better not to save on hooks - choose high-quality and sharp ones, with chemical or laser sharpening.
A large, self-loading float, well visible from a distance, and sinkers are what you may need for a complete set. But to make fishing comfortable and you do not miss the already caught fish, buy more wading boots and a landing net. It is necessary for the fish to be conveniently pulled ashore. By the way, some fishermen at great depths and in places of whirlpools, instead of a float, attach several pellets to a leash so that the nozzle sinks closer to the bottom, where the trout is kept. In shallow rivers or where the banks are overgrown, you can fish with a short rod up to 2.5 m long. In shallow water, it is better to use a non-bright self-loading float, preferably in the color of algae or water.
River trout is particularly cautious and shy, so the bait should be thrown behind bushes or trees. When you are fishing with a short rod, pull the float to its top, slide the rod between the branches of the bush and gently release the bait into the water, let it go with the flow. Jiggle the rod lightly while playing with the bait so the fish will notice it.
River trout is good at catching blue-headed (marsh) and ordinary red freshly dug worms, not too large. If the worms are small, they must be planted in several pieces at once. This fish bites well on chum eggs; bark beetles and caddis flies can also be used as bait, placing them on small and thin hooks. In spring and autumn, large trout can be caught by small fish - minnow, char or grubs of bleak. In these cases, you can use paired hooks - they hook the fish with their tail on the lower one, and fasten it by the lip on the upper one. If the fish grabbed the bait, do not rush to hook - let it swallow it.
