Variables of Weather

Does weather play a factor when fishing for Trout? It certainly can and sometimes does play a big factor when fishing for Trout. In my many years of trout fishing I have studied weather and fished in all types of weather to see what weather does for, or against fishing for trout. When is the best time to fish, when it’s sunny and warm; when it’s cooler and cloudy or is it in the middle of winter after a snow fall?

When I began fishing I would ask my grandfather these questions and he usually knew the answer. The thing is you have to go out a field test the answer to this question for yourself. One guy will tell you one thing, the next guy will tell you the first guy does not know what he is talking about, and the third guy will tell you that both of these guys are full of you know what.

I am going to give you what works best for me on the Bow River system. Here lies another question; if it works well on the Bow River will it work on the Snake River, how about the Skeena River and so on. This is why you must become intimate with you own river and get to know it well. Carry a log book and write down some notes, was it cloudy, what was the barometric pressure that day, what was the water temperature that day. All these factors will help you become a more productive fisherman. If you’re not a serious fisherman like I am then just go out there and have some fun. I personally need to know all these things as I am a part time fishing guide. I need to have the upper hand and provide my client some large trout.

I would encourage you to start taking some quick notes, you don’t need to write a novel just quickly write what the water temperature was, what the temperate on the day was, what the temperature was when you were catching your fish; 20 degrees, 15 degrees. Then on your spare time you compile the data and you will start to see patterns develop. Than you can hone you skills and pass on this info, or you can keep it to yourself. Then your buddies will ask, “How come you caught 10 trout and I only caught 1”.

By The Light of the Moon

I would like to pose a question to you the reader. Does the lunar cycle affect the fishing? Does it improve the fishing when the moon is full? When is the best time to fish, quarter moon, or half moon or when the clouds cover the moon? I can only tell you when my personal favorite time is to fish, going by the lunar cycle.

I have read books and watched videos on this very subject and have come out on the winning end as a result. I have also bought the little pocket calendar’s they sell in the local tackle shops with lunar cycle’s on them. I try to get a hold of all the advantages one can get to improve my odds while looking for that monster trout/walleye. You could add to that species list an infinitum.

When I look at the lunar calendar what I look for is when the next full moon arrives. I will go fishing 4 days before the full moon or 4 days after the full moon. I have logged my success rate with this recipe and this is the secret recipe that works for me in this time zone. You may have to adjust the number of days depending on what time zone you live in. It could be 5 days for you if you live in the eastern provinces/states, and it could be 3 days before the full moon if you live in the western provinces/states.

What you will need to do is create your own log book and try this proven recipe for yourself. This recipe will work especially well if you are targeting Walleye. This formula also works very well for all species of Trout as well. Try this at night while fishing for Brown Trout and see what happens. It will not take long for you to incorporate this lunar system into your regular fishing routine. I hope this tip gives you one more trick up your sleeve and makes your fishing friends drool with envy and jealousy. I hope it catches you a bag full more fish than he/she does.

Leave feedback to this post as I would like to know if this system has worked for you in the past, or if you have tried this system and it is working for you now.