The Most Important Aspect of Trout Fishing in High Water

If you are a trout fisherman or woman you know that the spring of the year is a great time to head out and do some fishing for these beautiful fish. After a long winter of little or no fishing most of us can't wait to get out and "wet a line" as soon as the weather begins to improve. Rivers and streams are both great places to target trout, but many times (especially during the springtime) there is one factor that has to be dealt with that isn't an issue during the heart of what many people consider to be "fishing season", and that factor is high water.

Trout fishing in high water conditions presents many challenges to the trout fisherman such as; dangerous wading conditions, an inability to keep get your bait or lure anywhere near the bottom, muddy or stained water, and debris that is floating in the water. While these are all challenges that have to be dealt with when trout fishing in high water conditions, in my experience the most important aspect of fishing in conditions such as this is the ability to feel whatever bait or lure you are using.

If you have any experience at all fishing for trout under any water condition you are well aware of the fact that being able to feel what is going on at the end of your line is of the utmost importance. So how do we help ourselves to feel what is happening at the end of our line when we are trout fishing in high water conditions when being able to "feel" anything becomes much more difficult? The answer might just surprise you because of its simplicity.

The easiest way to gain more feel when it comes to the end of your line during high water conditions is to employ a longer fishing rod. I told you that it was a simple fix. It's amazing the difference that it makes when you are trout fishing in high water conditions to simply use a fishing rod that is a bit longer than you normally would.

Here is exactly what I do when I know that I'm going to be trout fishing in high water conditions. Under normal conditions my 'go to' trout fishing rod in a five foot ultralight action rod that has a Pfleuger ultralight spinning reel attached to it. I also have a six foot six inch ultralight rod that I have for use when I am fishing in high water situations. When the water that I'm going to be fishing is high, I simple remove my reel from the five foot rod and attach it to my six foot six inch rod, and the problem is solved.

So, in conclusion the most important aspect of trout fishing in high water conditions is being able to feel what is going on at the end of your line and the way to solve this problem is simply to employ a fishing rod that is from one to up to three feet longer than you normally would. While the fishing itself will still be more challenging than it is during "normal" water conditions, this simple change provides you with the feel that you need and definitely tips the odds into your favor.

Trevor Kugler is president of JRWfishing.com, a website dedicated to ultra light fishing, with an emphasis on ultra light river fishing for trout. Check out our new blog focused on trout fishing tips and techniques to help you be more successful on the water.