When people think of fly fishing, they very often think of fly fishing for trout. The two have become intertwined, especially with the growth of the sport in the US founded upon targeting trout.

Trout are likely the most popular fish to target with a fly rod around the world. And what’s not not love about trout? They’re gorgeous fish with vibrant colors, they fight hard when hooked, and are a challenge to catch. Plus, given that they inhabit mountain streams, meandering rivers, and even alpine lakes, its a known fact that “trout don’t live in ugly places.”

An entire encyclopedia could be written about fly fishing for trout. Here, we’ll break down what you need to know. In this guide, we’ll break down what trout are, the different species, the gear to catch them, and where to find them.

What Are Trout?

Trout is the generic name for numerous species of freshwater fish known for their streamlined body shapes and colorful patterns.

They are a favorite among anglers of all types because of their beauty, fighting ability, and accessibility. Trout live all across the US in colder climates and can also thrive in cold bodies of water in warmer regions.

Different Species of Trout

There are about 2 dozen types of trout found all around the US and the world, though 4 are most commonly targeted by anglers with a fly rod.

Knowing what species of trout are found in your body of water can be important as each species has unique traits on habitat and feeding patterns. Targeting each species of trout can determine which tactics and gear you use.

For our purposes, we’ll keep things pretty straightforward, first with understanding the 4 most common species of trout you’ll likely be targeting.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are a species of trout found commonly all across the US. They’re native to the Pacific Northwest but have been introduced all across the country in cold water streams, rivers, and even community lakes and ponds.

Known for their striking colors, Rainbow trout are full of greens, blues, reds, yellows and dark colored speckles. They commonly have a pinkish lateral line than distinct them from other types of trout. True to their name, rainbow trout often have several different colorations along their torpedo-like bodies and are known as one of the most beautiful fish found in freshwater. And even better, they fight hard when hooked!

Brown Trout

Brown trout (Salmo trutta) are a species native to Europe that have been introduced all around the world and are a common target among fly anglers.

Typically darker in coloration, Brown trout are known for their yellow, orange, olive, and (you guessed it) brown markers on their bodies. Their brassy, reddish-brown colors make them a little easier to distinct from other types of trout.

Brook Trout

Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) as you will surely hear a million times in your life, are technically not a trout but a member of the char family. So maybe for the science books they are not trout, but for our purposes they sure are.

Known for their vivid colors and distinctive spots, brook trout inhabit cold, clear water streams. Brook trout are native to Eastern North America and have been transplanted across many different parts of the world. Famous for their marbled patterning, they typically have dark green to brownish colors with orangish fins. Despite their often small size, brook trout are prized amongst anglers for their gorgeous patterns and coloring.

Brook trout require extremely clear, cold water in order to survive and are sensitive to any sort of pollution. Their presence in a body of water is often a sign of health for the ecosystem. While they certainly can adapt to their circumstances, if brook trout are thriving in a certain body of water, its safe to assume that the water is very cold and clean.

Cutthroat Trout

Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkia) are native to the western United States and are known not only for their brownish olive coloration and spotted bodies, but also a distinctive red hue along their gill plates and jaws. True to their name “cutthroat,” these red markings appear as if their necks have been injured, making them relatively easy to identify.

Despite their morose name, cutthroat trout are also known for their willingness to take a fly. They are aggressive, impartial feeders. Perhaps their distinctive red slash under their jaws is due to overuse!

Trout Fly Fishing Setups

Fly fishing setups for trout can range depending on a multitude of factors, including region, body of water, and size of trout you are targeting. For the beginner angler, we’ll keep things simple and your arsenal of setups will grow depending on how and where you like to fish and what species you most often target.

What Fly Rod is Best for Trout?

A 3-6 weight fly rod is best for trout, with the 5 weight being the best all-around tool. Any rod in the 8 to 9 foot range is also ideal, making the 9 foot 5 weight the best rod for the beginner angler. Ask any experienced fly fisherman and they’ll probably tell you that a 9” 5 weight was their first all-around trout fly fishing rod.

The rod you choose can go up or down a weight or two depending on your circumstances. If you’re fishing small creeks with generally smaller fish, a 3 or 4 weight would be ideal to land flies more softly and delicately. If you fish larger rivers where casting distance and bigger flies is necessary, a 6 or even 7 weight rod gives you more power and will help you cover more water.

That being said, a 5 weight covers all these areas. The 5 weight’s versatility gives you enough finesse to fish smaller bodies of water and enough power to get some distance on your cast. You’ll be able to chuck big nymph rigs and streamers with a 5 weight, while also able to gently casts any dry fly with the required softness.

What Fly Line Do I Need for Trout?

While there are several different types of specialized fly lines out there, a weight-forward floating line will get the job done in the vast majority of your fishing ventures.

Intermediate and sinking lines do a great job when you need to achieve a very specific technique or depth, though in an effort to keep things simple, stick with the floating line.

What Leader and Tippet to Use for Trout?

Leaders and tippet will depend on the fly you are using and the body of water you are fishing. In general though, having leaders and tippet in the 1x-6x range will cover all your trout fishing needs.

We go more in-depth on choosing tippet in our Beginner’s Guide to Fly Fishing Tippet though a good rule of thumb is to take the fly you are using and divide by 3 or 4.

So a size 16 Pheasant Tail nymph calls for a 4x or 5x tippet. A size 12  pattern will call for 3X or 4X. That size 4 streamer you’ve got tied on will need a 1X or 0X tippet tied to it.

This rule of thumb will get put you in the right direction. You can certainly go up or down in tippet size depending on the conditions and the fish, though this system is a great starting point when determining which size to throw on the end of your line.

What is the Best Fly For Trout?

The best flies for trout are the ones that they’ll eat. Just kidding!

Fly selection for trout is a fascinating subject about which novels can be (and are) written, ranging from the specifics of the size, color, profile that exactly match the bugs naturally found in your body of water. While diving into the specifics of these nuances is great, we can keep things pretty simple and still catch a ton of fish.

Trout flies are generally broken down into 4 categories: nymphs, streamers, dry flies, and terrestrials. Each have their own specific uses and appropriate times to use, though for our purposes, we will catch many fish by keeping things simple.

Dry flies and terrestrials float and mimic food floating on the surface. Nymphs sink and represent insects that are living and driving along the bottom. Streamers swim and mimic baitfish or crustaceans that roam the water columns.

Trout have a reputation for being “selective” feeders, only eating flies that very closely represent their natural forage. While the validity of this statement is argued amongst anglers, from my experience as long as the fly is presented correctly, they’ll eat just about anything.

Trout can key in on certain flies and can get picky at times. Therefore, it is in our interest to use flies that can mimic a variety of forage items, broadening what food source we are trying to mimic. While hyper-realistic flies can catch fish, these are the following patterns that represent a multitude of bugs and will catch fish no matter where you’re fishing.

Dry Flies (sizes 14-18): Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Blue Winged Olives.

Terrestrials (sizes 8-12): Hoppers, Beetles, Ants

Nymphs (sizes 14-18): Pheasant Tails, Zebra Midges, Prince Nymphs, Hare’s Ear.

Streamers (sizes 4-10): Wooly Buggers, Zonkers, Clousers.

Ask your local fly shop what flies to use. These general patterns will catch fish just about anywhere, but local knowledge is always recommended. Before you know it, you’ll have more flies than you can count!

Trout Habitat

Where are Trout Most Commonly Found?

Trout are thriving all around the US and the world in cold, clear, and clean bodies of water. They are commonly found in mountain streams, rivers, and very clear lakes. They also are stocked in community ponds and local parks for anglers to enjoy.

Trout are able to adapt to their surrounding pretty well, but do need specific conditions in order to thrive.

Best Water Temperatures for Trout

Water temperatures that are consistently in the 50-65 degree range are ideal for all types of trout. Anything much hotter than that makes it very difficult for trout to live and reproduce consistently. Ideal water temps depend on the species of trout, but general fall within these ranges:

Rainbow Trout: Prefer temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees. They can tolerate temperatures up to 70 degrees, but prolonged exposure to higher temperatures can stress or kill them.

Brown Trout: Have a slightly broader tolerance, thriving in waters between 50 and 65 degrees. They can survive in temperatures up to 75 degrees for short periods, but if those temps are consistent, they begin to struggle.

Brook Trout: Prefer the coldest waters, ideally between 45 and 60 degrees. They are highly sensitive to temperature changes and cannot tolerate water much warmer than 65. Like we mentioned before, if brook trout are in a body of water, you can assume it’s very cold and very clean.

Cutthroat Trout: Generally thrive in temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees, similar to rainbow trout.

Water Clarity for Trout

Water clarity is crucial for trout, as they rely heavily on sight to find and capture food. Here’s how water clarity affects trout habitat:

Clear Water: Trout are most comfortable in clear water, where visibility allows them to spot prey and avoid predators. Clear water also indicates low levels of pollutants and sediments, creating a healthier environment.

Moderate Clarity: Trout can adapt to slightly turbid water, but excessive turbidity can hinder their ability to feed and breathe. Moderate clarity often happens in rivers after rain or snowmelt. It’s difficult for trout to thrive in water that is consistently cloudy, but they are fine when clarity is cloudy for short periods of time.

Muddy Water: Highly turbid water is challenging for trout. Sediment can clog their gills, making it difficult to breathe, and can cover spawning beds, affecting reproduction. If the water is consistently muddy, trout won’t be able to survive there.

Water Flow and Oxygen for Trout

Trout require well-oxygenated water to survive. Not to get too science-y, but cold water holds more oxygen than warm water, which is why trout thrive in cooler temperatures. Fast-moving water, such as riffles and rapids, increases oxygen levels through aeration. Stagnant water is generally not great trout water, unless it’s very close to moving water.

Where is the Best Place to Find Trout in a River or Stream?

So now we know that trout like cold, clean, oxygenated water. What does that look like on a trout stream or river?

Trout hang out where their conditions are met and where they have access to food. Ideal trout water is the combination of “conservation and consumption” of energy. They don’t want to spend all the energy they have fighting current or fleeing predators, but also need access to food.

Learning how to “read the water” becomes an important skill to develop, though these general areas are sure to hold trout.

Riffles and Runs

Riffles and runs are fast-moving, shallow water areas that provide plenty of oxygen and access to food. The moving water becomes highly oxygenated and the current drifts food along with it, making it an ideal spot for trout to hang out. Staying in the riffles and fighting the current requires energy, so trout need to consume energy (food) in order to hold there. All that to say, if trout are in the riffles or runs, they’re most likely feeding and willing to take a fly.

Tailouts are the ends of riffles/runs and offer a great spot for trout to feed. The current begins to slow down, requiring less energy to hold there, but still brings food morsels directly into their feeding lane. I’ve caught some of my best trout on tailouts and is one of my prime targets when fishing for trout.

Pools

Pools are deeper areas where trout rest and feed. Trout will hang out in pools to conserve energy. Pools are generally made when there’s deeper drop offs near shallow water. This not only gives trout a place to rest, but also an ambush point for food drifting along the current next to the pool.

Large, slow moving pools may be tempting to fish, but I have found them difficult to get fish to eat. Trout that are in these large, stagnant pools are generally there to rest, not feed. Keep that in mind when you walk along the river or stream and see the fish in there. They’re always worth a cast or two but don’t get frustrated when they get lockjaw. They’re likely not in the mood to feed, but rather in the mood to chill out!

Underwater Structure

Look for rocks, fallen trees, and any other type of structure where trout can hide from predators and ambush prey.

Structure also allows fish to stay out of the current and conserve energy while providing access to food. If you’ve ever been smallmouth bass fishing, it’s a very similar style concept.

Target structure that blocks current flow like rocks and trees or provides overhead shelter and you’ll be sure to find fish. From my experience, brown trout love structure like this and act very similarly to bass. Anglers often say if you’re fishing for brown trout, fish as if you’re targeting smallmouth bass.

Current Seams

Current seams are where fast and slow water meet. This may be a by a large rock in the middle of a riffle, or changes in depth within a stretch of moving water. This creates a natural feeding lane for trout to hang out in. It is generally more gentle moving water with access to fast moving water, providing trout the ideal combination of conservation and consumption of energy.

Fly Fishing Techniques for Trout

So we got our gear, flies, and know where trout live, how do we put it all together?

To catch trout, there are 3 different general techniques you will use: Dry fly fishing, nymphing, and streamer fishing. We’ll give a high level overview of each, but when and where to use these takes some local knowledge and a whole lot of experimenting.

Dry Fly Fishing

Perhaps the most iconic and visually captivating style of fly fishing, dry fly fishing can be a highly effective technique for catching fish. This method involves casting a floating  fly that floats on the water’s surface, mimicking adult insects or terrestrials that trout naturally feed on.

You’ll see flies or terrestrials floating in the water and even rising trout feeding on these insects. That’s the signal to throw on a dry fly and watch fish sip your bugs off the surface.

Make sure you’re fly is drifting naturally, any erratic movement will spook fish off. Let the fly drift along the surface and set the hook when you see a sip or splash and be ready to reel the fish in.

Nymphing

Nymphing is the most consistent and productive style of fly fishing, especially when trout are feeding below the surface. It involves using flies that mimic the larval or nymphal stages of aquatic insects.

You’ll hear anglers say that trout eat “70+%” underwater, which is true. The actual number is unknown, but the message rings true. Trout do most of their feeding under the surface on nymphs, so nymphing, as my buddy likes to put it, “always keeps you in the game.”

Attach your flies under a bobber (or “indicator” if you’re fancy) and let them drift naturally along the targeted piece of water. The depth of your bobber should be 1.5-2 times the depth of the water. So if you’re fishing 2 feet of water, make sure your bobber is 3-4 feet from your fly.

This takes a lot of experimenting and adjustments, but that’s part of the fun. You might also have to attach some split shot to get your flies to the right depth. The right combination of depth and weight is a highly effective method for catching trout. Mess around with these adjustments until you find the right combo and you’ll be sure to catch a lot of fish.

Streamer Fishing

Streamer fishing mimics small fish, leeches, or other prey that trout actively hunt. This is a more active style of fly fishing, as you’ll cast your flies and retrieve them by stripping line, as opposed to letting them drift naturally (though that can work too).

Streamer fishing allows you to cover a ton of water and the importance of “dead drifts” and exact presentations is not nearly as paramount as fishing dry flies or nymphs. Contrary to those techniques, with streamers you are often trying to elicit a reactionary, predatory strike in the fish either through natural presentations or aggressive retrieves. These “eats” are often vicious and ferocious and can be an addicting way to fish.

We go into more depth in The Beginner’s Guide to Streamer Fishing but in general, streamer fishing can be a highly effective and fun way to catch trout, especially if you are targeting larger fish.

Extra Tips for Fly Fishing for Trout

Handle with Care

Trout are notoriously delicate fish, contrary to how hard they fight. When you catch trout, please keep them in the water as long as you possibly can and limit the touching you do with your bare hands.

Trout have a protective slime later on their bodies that’s easily removed when touched with dry hands or if they are put on dry land. Keep them in the water and wet your hands to ensure that the fish survives the fight.

Approach with Stealth

Trout can be spooky. Don’t be stomping around the water or shoreline announcing your presence with authority. Keep calm and move slowly, you’ll be thankful you did.

Stealth is an undervalued skill in my opinion. I’ve caught so many more fish when I’m conscious of my movements and noise. It’s extremely difficult at first, you just want to get out there and start fishing, but resist the temptation and you’ll be rewarded with more fish.

Enter the water slowly. Limit your false casts. Wear drab clothing. Your ninja-like stealth in the water will severely limit the amount if fish you spook and you’ll be happy you made the extra effort.

Finding Trout in a River or Stream

The Godfather of fly fishing, Tom Rosenbauer, has a great video on how to read a river or stream to find trout. It’s a great watch, check it out here:

Conclusion

So there you have it. The basics on how to fly fish for trout. We could go on and on about the specific nuances and intricacies, but starting with the basics is essential in order to improve your skills.

By understanding the habits, preferences, and habitats of different trout species, you can significantly improve your chances of success. That knowledge paired with the right gear will give you confidence as an angler and will allow you to catch fish in any type of water.

Now get out there and fish!