Stocker Trout Fishing News

Episode 21 in the “Little Red Book of Fly Fishing” podcast series where I review fly fishing tips…. This week it’s tips 94 through 99! Tip 94: Fish Flies Atypically Tip 95: Shake, Shake, Shake (Your Streamer) Tip 96: Snake Your Way to Success Tip 97: Ditch the Bobber Tip 98: More on Indicators Tip 99: Balloon Going Up Do check back on our next episode in the series where we discuss tips 100 – 105. Tip 100: The Sting Tip 101: Easy on the Grease Tip 102: Accuracy Above All Tip 103: Beware the Wave Tip 104: Spare the Rod Tip 105: Ups and Downs Good Luck and Good Fishing! ifishnews #fishingpodcasts #flyfishingtips See full playlist

Happy Thanksgiving from us to you and yours! No fishing today, been busy with meal preps as well as updates to our website… stockertroutfishing.com Here is to a day of thanks to family, friends, and tasty meal shared with those close to you!

Suggestion from one of the Facebook Fishing Groups that I am a member. Broke my wooden wading stick that I had for years this past Sunday. Planned to get another stick floating in the river to replace it, and then it was suggested to use Walking Sticks also called Trekking Poles. Picked this one up at Academy Sports for $9.99! Liking the lightweight aluminum and the telescoping/collapsible function. Moreover, pulled the rubber tip to screw on the mud guard on and noticed a “cleat” like tip already in place. I think this suggestion will work; plan to use it this Season! More to come!

Hoped to catch one of the Bruiser trout that are stocked for the Trout Derby on the Blue River. Did not catch a Bruiser but still managed three that went 12″ – 14″ in size, making for a nice dinner! After scouting the upriver from Hughes Crossing, went back to Hughes Crossing and fished just upriver of the low water crossing. Tried the same fishing fly and presentation as I did on an earlier trip. Pattern this round… Pat’s Near Deere on dead drift with a twitch now and then as well as a Stop and Go Retrieve. Same applied to a Pat’s Rubber Leg. Fishing an Olive Near Deere and a Guadalupana, trout wanted a fast retrieve with rapid short pulls. While a Pink Near Deere was a no go! Do check out the video!

YouTube Shorts video that shows the retrieve we used when the trout stopped biting. We started with a strike indicator with a Pat’s Near Deere set 3-4 feet from the indicator. Using a dead drift, the trout were readily striking that morning. But, as the day progressed, the trout stopped biting. Trying different retrieves, finally found a Stop and Go Retrieve without a strike indicator worked. Trout wanted movement, striking the fishing fly as it hesitated on the stop. Do check it out, and do check out the full video of the trip, too!

Oops, I did it again… another Winter trout stocking season is soon to be here. Like in past seasons, yours truly modified the schedule posted by TPWD to sort by Stocking Date and the count of trout stockings planned for a location and its estimated trout to be stocked. Makes for ease of reference by allowing Readers to quickly see when the next trout stocking is planned. As changes are unexpected for various reasons like weather, do check for updates, changes, and corrections at TPWD’s website – 2021-2022 TPWD Trout Stocking Schedule . Note: Dates for trout stockings at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFCC) in Athens show 12/1/21, 1/1/22, and 2/2/22. These are placeholders as TPWD’s schedule indicates various stockings instead of a specific date. Before planning a trip do contact Athens TFCC – contact page. See pdf of the sorted schedule… 2021TroutStockingSummary_20211112_rev1

Made it to the Blue River in Oklahoma today. River was stocked October 28 but was not able to fish the river till today. Limited out with three trout per the new daily limits this season. No worries… was a fun time. Pat’s Near Deere worked well, do check back for the full video of the trip. Till then, this YouTube Shorts shows the first trout of the season for yours truly!

Halloween Day last weekend. Was not able to fish the Blue River in Oklahoma but did take the opportunity to practice fishing using the same setup I would use on the Blue River. Fished the local pond – Bethany Lakes in Allen, for whatever would bite. Opted for a tandem-rigged leading Near Deere and trailing Rainbow Warrior. This is the same rig I like to use when fishing for trout, changing out the fishing flies as the fish dictate. Caught a Bass and several Bluegill after switching to a single fishing fly and using a short pull, fast retrieve. Another presentation I like to use on the Blue River when the trout are actively feeding on minnows, nymphs, and other emergent. Do give it a try… especially liking the One Handed Spey setup: Redington Classic Trout 9ft 5wt, Echo Ion 4/5wt reel, and the OPST Commando Head with Lazarline Running Line!