Trout

The circle of ripples on the smooth water had my undivided attention. Then, when a silvery trout broke through the river's calm surface and landed with a flashy splash, I had a much better idea of what fly to tie onto the end of my tippet and how to effectively fish the water before me. Moments spent scouting the water transformed into more catches during the hours that followed — and no frustration. It pays to read the water.

One important aspect of fly fishing in Wisconsin which is often overlooked by anglers is focusing on the river mouths in spring. It is this junction between the lake and the river where steelhead start their spring spawning runs every year.

The brown trout (Salmo trutta) is possibly the most popular of all the trout species targeted by fly fishers. Be it their willingness to rise to dead-drifted dry flies or give chase to a swinging streamer; brown trout are fancied the world over. Originally the brown trout was imported from its native waters in Europe and western Asia to lakes and streams in New York and Michigan in 1883.

As effective as flies are for duping large trout,

Downsized bass lures — often thought of as finesse bass lures for moody fish — are many times ideal for catching stream-dwelling trout, performing as well or even better than more traditional offerings.

The fabled White River, near Mountain Home, Ark., may well be the trout fishing capital of the world as claimed. The tailwater fishery of Bull Shoals Lake provides trout angling opportunities for the very young and the well seasoned.

Imagine yourself exploring and fishing a small, tranquil stream — lost in your own world, yet in the thick of trout country.

In early spring you need to slow down and become intimate with the lake or river before you get close to likely

Have you ever had one of those days when it seemed like things just weren't meant to be, one that beckoned for a decision to either throw in the towel or push on?