Rainbow Trout is One of the Top Five Game Fish in America

Fly Fishing is always a great way to spend your day and the experience itself is enough to put a smile on your face for a long time. But what do we catch? Our main game is the rainbow trout and the best way to bring one (or several) home is to know your animal.

Adult freshwater rainbow trout range from 1 to 5 lbs., but lake trout can get as big as 20 lbs. Coloration of these fish range depending on species, but they live up to their title and exhibit gorgeous hues of reds, greens and blues here in Arizona. They also feature heavy black spotting.

Both wild and hatchery-bred rainbow trout can be found in over 45 countries and on every continent save Antarctica. They spawn in early to late spring (between January and June) when water temperatures reach 42 degrees Fahrenheit. The maximum-recorded lifespan is 11 years.

Though not particularly aggressive, rainbow trout are certainly predators that will eat anything they can get their jaws around. They generally feed on aquatic insects in larval, pupal and adult stages of life. These include caddisflies, stoneflies, mayflies and aquatic diptera. However, they’ll also chow down on fish eggs and even terrestrial insects that fall into the water like ants and beetles.

In fly-fishing circles, rainbow trout are known as one of the hardest-fighting fish. This is determined by their tendency to leap when hooked. They’re regarded as one of the top five game fish in America.

Rainbow fish are also highly regarded for their use in western cuisine. Seafood Watch named them a “best choice” fish for human consumption for their appealing flavor and high levels of vitamin B. Typical wine pairings for trout include chardonnay, sauvignon blancs and pinot gris.

When you’re ready to tackle a rainbow trout, contact Marble Canyon Outfitters. We can’t wait to get out on the Colorado River.

Equipment for Fly Fishing

Fly fishing can seem daunting, if only because of the amount of equipment involved. But how much of that is purely for show? We’ve put together a list of what you actually need to get started to make your first fly fishing experience a little less complicated.

Five-weight rods can handle any fish from 6 inches long to five pounds. For fish of this size, most fly reels, regardless of price, will work just fine. Weight-forward, five-weight floating lines work best for five-weight rods. Floating line is a simple place to start practicing your cast and works with wet and dry flies. Weight-forward just refers to the line’s taper.

Braided Dacron backing isn’t essential, but it will prevent any big fish from taking all of your line and make bringing your line back in a lot less painless. A standard nine-foot, 5X leader is the way to go with a five-weight line. These are tapered monofilament line. Keeping 5X tippets to replace portions of your 5X leader is always a good idea.

Neoprene waders will keep you warm in cool weather, but with the Summer season coming in, we suggest either going big with waterproof/breathable waders (a bit expensive, but often with a lifetime guarantee) or fabric waders. Fabric waders are prone to leaks, but are one of the better options to avoid an uncomfortable trip.

Other items to never forget on your trip are wading boots, clippers, fly floatant, a net, forceps, a leader straightener and a fly vest or chest pack. These last two items should be comfortable as well as functional, as you’ll be wearing them all day.

Contact Marble Canyon Outfitters to get started on a guided day of fly fishing. You’ll be glad you did!

Source: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/03/04/1103605/want-to-fly-fish-heres-what-you.html