What's the best way to catch trout from these little trickles of water during the dead of winter? Frustrating.

[wandering owl]

What's the best way to catch trout from these little trickles of water during the dead of winter? Frustrating.

[jbonifer24]

Berkley's trout worms in bubblegum color. Put the worm on a small hook so that it is in s straight line and the tail is hanging off about a half inch. Put a few split shot about 8 inches up, and bounce it through a hole or run. I've been nailing trout with this setup.

[Charley]

Salmon eggs or salmon egg pattern flies or powerbait that looks like salmon eggs. I like to hang it 18 inches to two feet under a bobber, or let it bounce along the bottom with just enough weight to get it down.

[Joe_Cermele]

I don't disagree with these bait choices, but no one said anything about the approach. Little trickles tend to be very clear, which means the trout can see you before you see them. Trout metabolism also slows down a lot in winter, so you need to fish slowly. Concentrate on slower pools. Avoid splashing around or using rigs/lure/flies that are going to make a lot of noise when they hit. Tiny little streams are tough enough in the spring/summer. You've got your work cut out for you in the winter.

Mind your shadow, take your time. The first cast into a likely run or hole is going to be the most important for sure. You have to be delicate on tiny trickles. If I fly fish them, I'll use a 2 or 3 weight rod and think long and hard about a cast before I make it.

[Alex Pernice the fly rod winner]

Size 20 or 22 midges, yea they may be a pain to tie on, but they catch fish.

[Koldkut]

in the winter time, those trout are in their element and can be quite spooky. Watch the number of false casts. Try to work from downstream if at all possible. Small midges are the way to go, even down to size 26. If your using a strike indicator, don't move it around too much if you make a bad cast, the fish will pick up on this and you'll end up just giving them an education.

[buckhunter]

Approach your hole from down stream. Stay low and out of the water. Presentation is the key. If you have room to cast then cast. Learn to roll cast, dabble or fling (pinch your fly between your fingers then pull it towards you and let the rod sling it forward). Usually these small streams are tucked up into the thick mountain brush. I perfer a LONG rods in tight spots and short leaders. I feel I have more control for the dabble and fling this way. You will only need dry flies on these small waters.

I have a couple secret runs in WV I love to fish this way. It's neat to pull a 12 inch fish out of a hole 2 feet wide.

[kjflorian]

Yes for smaller trout I agree with all recommendations above. If you go for a steelhead I use a bigger pattern. Present something that is worth their energy to go get.

[gossy42]

I do alot of fishing in Erie when the water is clear and Ice is all over. I like to down size my leader to a small diameter and use smaller flies than normal (14,16,18's). But one of the best things is to fish more in the middle of the day. The water temp rises a little and fish will get a little more active.

[Ziggy4334]

my whole key is to approach it from a different angle, and try to stay secluded, but awake mentally so the stream bottom doesn't cause you to jerk your rod too soon wen there are fish in the pools. If you're able to be stealthy, you'll find some good fishing in some places. UV eye protection allows you to see the fish better, and that may help. No one wants to fish an overfished stream.

[jbonifer24]

Even though it is a big fly, I also like to use a size 8 Hare's Ear Nimph. Around my waters we have helgrimites and the fish really love them and the Hare's Ear Nimph does the trick.

[ETangler]

use a #24 black nymph. And cast from a mile away.

[ETangler]

use solid 6lb flourocarbon and anything smaller that a no.20 black midge or gnat pattern. Also an egg pattern may work.