Brown Trout of Georgia - Learn Better Info
Brown Trout of Georgia - Learn Better Info
When casting artificials for catching Brown trout, you need to slowly work your way up the stream. A native of Europe, the brown trout, Salmo trutta, was introduced to the United States as early as 1883, and arrived in Georgia by the 1930s.
Though many Georgia trout streams contain brown trout, either through stocking or natural reproduction, they usually play second fiddle to rainbow trout in terms of numbers. What they lack in numbers, however, they make up in size. The largest fish found in a stream are often brown trout.
When casting artificials for catching Brown trout, you need to slowly work your way up the stream. A native of Europe, the brown trout, Salmo trutta, was introduced to the United States as early as 1883, and arrived in Georgia by the 1930s.
Though many Georgia trout streams contain brown trout, either through stocking or natural reproduction, they usually play second fiddle to rainbow trout in terms of numbers. What they lack in numbers, however, they make up in size. The largest fish found in a stream are often brown trout.
Brown Trout in Georgia
The Georgia record brown was caught in 1967 from Rock Creek and weighed 18 pounds, 2 ounces. Most brown trout caught will be 9 to 11 inches. Stream-reared fish weighing 5 pounds or more are not unheard of, and when fishing the Chattahoochee tail waters below Lake Sidney Lanier, all bets are off and fish exceeding 10 pounds are possible.
Brown trout are aptly named. The body has an overall golden brown hue with many black spots, encircled with a light-colored ring. Red spots may be present, especially on mature fish.
The brown trout spawns in the fall and early winter. As humanity made its mark on the land, the resulting erosion and sedimentation decreased the habitat suitable for trout spawning. While this is not the only factor preventing natural trout reproduction in some Georgia trout streams, it is a significant one.
Rainbow Brown Trout
Although rainbow trout are more tolerant than browns of the marginal temperatures found in many Georgia trout streams, brown trout are less affected by competition from other warm-water species. Brown trout depend on insects for food when young, but once they have progressed beyond the juvenile stage switch to a diet predominantly made up of crayfish, spring lizards, and other fish. Then fishing becomes easier with knowledge.
"This strategy does not ensure there are a lot of brown trout, but it does suggest that the ones who manage to survive are likely to be large fish. Consequently, many trophy trout caught from Georgia streams are brown trout." - Day Out Gear.
Another brown trout characteristic that gives it trophy potential is the fish are no pushovers when it comes to angling. Brown trout, especially large adults, are wary and it is the careful and stealthy angler who will experience the most success. Trophy fish living in Georgia's infertile streams did not get that way by eating the first Muddler Minnow that comes crashing down over their heads.
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How to Fish Brown Trout?
As they age and grow in size, brown trout will begin to find deep pools to their liking and will wait out the daylight hours resting in the depths before venturing out in the darkness to find something good to eat. One can easily get better use of their fishing using proper accessories in catching the fishes.
The first part of a solid game plan that may result in a trophy brown is finding the right place and being there at the right time. A good bet would be a deep pool, the more remote the better. Do not overlook small tributary streams. Very small water can hold a very big trout. If night-fishing is allowed on the stream, try it. Big fish start to stir at dusk and go out in search of supper. If fishing a stream where night-fishing is not allowed, fish as early in the morning or as late in the evening as the law allows.
Brown trout are a great sport fish and can provide fine fishing for either numbers of fish or the trophy of a lifetime. Consistently catching brown trout is probably the most difficult challenge a Georgia trout angler can undertake, but is definitely a pursuit that offers tremendous rewards.
Techniques Casting
Although some lures only come in sizes suitable for black bass angling, many are now available in sizes that perfectly match the forage found in trout streams.
Ultralight spinning tackle and the lightest line you are comfortable using is the most effective way to present them. Probably the two most popular lures for brown trout in Georgia are a small Rapala or an in-line spinner, such as a Rooster Tail or Panther Martin.