Brown and rainbow trout: lock and loaded
Written by admin on July 22, 2009 – 3:22 pm -Tony Salerno
NY Fishing Examiner
During summer vacation in my teen years I enjoyed fishing Lake Ronkonkoma, Blydenburgh Lake, Fort Pond and the upper Forge River almost on a daily basis. These lakes have always provided exceptional pan fish action along with a few largemouth bass and chain pickerel thrown in for good measure. As time went on and opportunities prevailed, I eventually converted to the salty side of the sport and never looked backed for the better of 25 years. Indeed once I got the true taste of the salt, there was just no way was I going back to the sweet water. Well at least that’s what I thought until 5 years ago when I caught wind of the 2 and 3-pound brown and foot long rainbow trout the DEC were stocking at most of the local lakes and ponds around the island. In fact, after investigating the action along the south end of West Lake in Patchogue on that April 1st 2003, it was déjà vu all over again and within minutes I was at J&J Bait and Tackle purchasing a New York State freshwater license. And while saltwater will always win my heart over, I have plenty of room in the ticker for the exceptional trout action that occurs around Long Island each April and May.
A LICENSE DONE GOOD
While many freshwater enthusiasts head for the mountains of upstate New York and beyond, Long Island also provides anglers with outstanding freshwater opportunities from east to west. This stands particularly true with both brown and rainbow trout as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation stocks over 25,000 of the two species annually in 27 of Nassau and Suffolk’s finest lakes, ponds and rivers. In Nassau County, many of the lakes and reservoirs see a spring and fall stocking of brown and rainbow trout with many of the rainbows over 12 inches and browns in the 2 to 4 pound range and a year round open season.
In more rural Suffolk County, trout flourish in many rivers, streams, millponds and lakes. Each year the DEC stocks these waters with over 20,000 brown and rainbow trout. For the angler who desires premier fly fishing opportunities in a tranquil and scenic environment, then Connetquot and Caleb Smith State Park offers outstanding opportunities for both stocked and sea-run brook, brown, rainbow and tiger trout. Actually, you can’t find a better place east of the Appalachian Mountains. Fish over 8 pounds are always a possibility from these waters.
DISTINCT ATTRACTION
Trout as a group are among the most distinguished-looking and prettiest freshwater fish. Some are especially colorful, particularly in spawning mode, and most have distinctive body markings, although there are great variations depending on the environment. The rainbow trout is a close relative of the Pacific salmon and is one of several species of trout found on Long Island. As with all trout and salmon, it has a streamline body. The rainbow trout has dark markings on a light background, which distinguishes it from the brook trout. The brook trout has light markings on a dark background. The best characteristics to use when identifying a rainbow trout are the black margin on the upper back fin (adipose fin) and the numerous spots on its tail. This distinguishes it from the brown trout, which has few to no spots on its tail. However, the name rainbow trout is derived from the reddish/pink stripe along both sides.
Trout can live in cool lakes and ponds but need coldwater streams to reproduce. Water temperature must remain below 70 degrees in order for them to survive. Most trout that are stocked during the spring, which have not been kept, will inevitably perish, with only a handful of survivors. The trout that do survive do so by spending the hot summer months near the cooler springs that feed most of Long Island’s lakes. These trout are known as “holdovers” and are considerably larger than their recently stocked siblings.
HAVING AN EDGE
To catch trout, anglers need to be aware of the fish’s behavior in different water conditions. In streams, trout tend to select areas with gravel or rocky bottom that have cover such as boulders, logs or deep water pools nearby. In lakes and ponds, trout tend to swim in areas near where they were stocked looking for food, especially near covers such as weed lines and fallen trees. Shore bound and boating anglers should focus their efforts in such areas. However, the main key to successful trout fishing is to have a general idea of what sections of the lakes or ponds that DEC released the trout. Normally a visit to the local bait and tackle shop by the area or a call to the DEC will tell you the exact location. Another good indication is to go where the locals go. Odds are many of them wait all winter for the first stocking and will certainly know where the trout are congregating. The stocking of trout into the lakes is usually employed in four segments at different locations of a lake. Brown and rainbow trout are released by the end of March with stocking ending by April 17. Aside from this, Suffolk County freshwater anglers now enjoy an all-year trout season since the DEC distributes nearly 4,000 brown trout yearlings among 23 Suffolk lakes during the fall season.
CATCH THEM EARLY
A variety of techniques are employed while trout fishing, all with some form of success depending on the area. I strongly suggest that if you plan on doing some trout fishing, you should do so within two weeks of stocking. This is the period when they are susceptible to a wide range of natural and artificial baits.
Super and regular Vibrax spinner baits in sizes 00-1 retrieved slowly just off the bottom are first rate on browns and rainbows in the lakes. Mepps, Blue Fox and Rooster Tail spinners all do a fine job catching trout also. Gold or chrome 1/8-ounce Kastmaster or Phoebe spoons fished in the same manner are deadly as well. Spin casting outfits in the 4 to 6 pound class is best suited when employing the artificial lures. Keep in mind that trout can be duped for the first couple of weeks after stocking on artificial baits; however, they assimilate quickly and become wise to what they are going to eat.
When all else fails, you can always rely on the meat and potatoes of the game: natural bait. A trout worm (earthworm) hooked once through the collar of a number 10 trout hook with a number 7 BB Split attached 12 to 18 inches above the hook. Employing a similar style rig, I happen to favor wax worms. I seem to have my best results with this choice of bait. Other bait that trout will eagerly accept is mealworms, minnows, dough balls and corn kernels.
As the season progresses and the trout become assimilated to artificial and natural baits, mayfly imitations and fly fishermen have the biggest advantage.
GET OUT EARLY OR LATE
Early mornings and early evenings are when trout feed aggressively, particularly when the winds are light. Sunny or windy mid-day action is usually slow unless it is a windless or rainy day. Days with dropping barometer pressure are also a great time to fish for trout as often you can find them biting quite aggressively.
If you plan on releasing the trout, try to handle the fish as little as possible. A net and a stainless steel hemostat will prove rewarding as these items will dramatically improve the species chances for survival. Employing a net and extracting the hook with a hemostat will eliminate hands on the trout that can otherwise prove detrimental to a species with quite delicate flesh. If you find it necessary to handle any trout, wet and rinse your hands with the lake water before touching the fish. This will help rid any bacteria from your hands that can get under the trout’s protective coating, which can cause infection which could lead to death.
Though catch and release is always a good idea, DEC encourages keeping your limit of trout, particularly toward the end of the spring and early summer since most of the remaining uncaught stocked trout will perish. To keep your trout as fresh a possible keep it on a stringer submerged in the water or better yet, bleed the fish by breaking the gill plate and place it in a mixture of ice and water in a cooler. This will guarantee your catch to be first rate in the frying pan.
With most of the lakes being landlocked and loaded down with trout, there’s no better time than the first two weeks of the season to grab a couple of kids and head on over to one of the many kettle holes on the island where the action promises to be just as fun as the mountains.
2009 REGULATIONS
A New York State freshwater fishing license is required for anyone 16 years of age and older.
Rainbow and Brown Trout: Season is open all year in most waters with a 3 fish creel limit of any size with the exception of Swan Lake in East Patchogue where the size limit is 10 inches and Laurel Lake in Southold where trout must be a minimum of 12 inches. The season at Laurel Lake is open all year while the season at Swan Lake is from April 1st to November 30th. Special restrictions apply at Carmen’s, Connetquot and Caleb’s Smith State Parks. For more information you can contact Carmen’s at (631) 854-1414, Connetquot at (631) 581-1005 and Caleb’s at (631) 265-1054.
Tags: Fly Fishing, fly fishing technique
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