Early-season trout fishing can be rigorous when the weather doesn't cooperate, which is fairly often at northern latitudes in the United States. An ideal springtime trout fishing day opens with sunny skies before transitioning to a cloudy afternoon that promises to make the trout less spooky as they feed in relatively warm water. As fishing goes, however, you can't always get what you want.

High, murky flows are what springtime anglers frequently find. "S-L-O-W" is the keyword in lure presentation in these conditions, using lures that have good action at very slow retrieve speeds. The flash and vibration created by weighted spinners with broad, flat, French-style blades are especially good spring trout lures. Photo by Jim Bedford.

WATER CONDITIONS
Even though browns, rainbows and brookies are coldwater fish, water temperatures can often be too cold early in the season for lively fishing action. Trout will still bite when the stream temperatures hover in the 40s, but they will be much more active when the water warms above 50 degrees.

Remember, too, small streams warm faster than large rivers, and you'll generally find the best trout activity in early spring in small streams. Pick a feeder creek to your favorite river, rather than the mainstream flow, and you'll often discover its best fishing takes place in the afternoon. However, if your only time to fish after a cold night is in the morning, the big river will likely hold warmer water than its smaller tributaries.

High, murky flows are what springtime anglers frequently find, too. That's one more reason to pick small streams this month. Creeks clear more rapidly than larger flows and are easier to negotiate in your waders when high. And many trout fishermen find creeks easier to read, leading to make more productive presentations no matter the method of your fishing.

Whether your preferred method of trout fishing is drifting baits, casting lures or flinging flies, presentation in cold spring trout streams is important. Foremost, remember that trout will be holding in the slower water of the stream or creek. That improves your opportunities to give the fish a long look at your offering. The slower your lure, fly or bait is moving, the better your chance for a hookup.

LIVE-BAIT TACTICS
Using live bait is one of the most popular and effective ways to catch spring trout. Many anglers find night crawlers among the best all-around choice of baits for early-season fishing. Others do well with wax worms, minnows, redworms, wigglers (Hexagenia mayfly nymphs) and -- especially, if spring spawning rainbows are present in your chosen stream -- salmon eggs.

In almost all cases, cast your bait upstream and allow it to drift with the current at the same speed or slightly slower than the flow. It is important to keep your offering near the stream bottom, but try to use as little weight as possible to achieve this. A sinker that is too heavy will cause an unnatural drift and result in frequent hangups. In small, relatively shallow streams, you can usually avoid the use of split shot completely. Anticipate the likely holding water and cast well upstream of it. The 'crawler will be at eye level when it reaches the trout. Keep in mind, too, that baits do not have to be on the bottom -- just near it.

While many bait-fishermen fish and wade downstream, they'll usually catch more trout when they turn around, wade and fish upstream. Stream trout always face the current. Fish downstream and trout will often sight you. You'll also send them signals that "something's up" when they encounter the silt, noise and surface ripples you simply cannot avoid creating when wading. Cast your 'crawler or other bait upstream past the suspected lair and let the current bring it back to you. Keep your rod tip up and slowly reel in the slack to detect any pause in the drift.

Experiment with leader lengths up to 3 or 4 feet, depending on the strength of the current (long lengths for strong flows). Use fine-wire circle hooks. Circle hooks typically lodge in the corner of the trout's jaw, reducing (or eliminating) injuries caused by hooks of other designs. When handled carefully and immediately released, a trout caught on a circle hook is much more likely to survive. This is especially important for small trout and for fish where length limits are enforced.