Even the journey to a mountain trout stream is epic. If you visit in Autumn, which is always my choice, then you will see half the reason for fishing the Appalachians. The views are as breathtaking as anything you pull out of the water.
It’s very counterintuitive, unlike hunters who chase massive elk up mountains, trout fishermen chase tiny little native brook trout. We use microscopic size 22 hooks to imitate what’s fluttering in the sky around us.
So, why do it? Well, the challenge of course. You are going to need the right kind of gear, some practice, and the right flies to catch trout in the Appalachian Mountains.
How it Really Looks
I traveled several hours to stand on the banks of the North River. I walked past a beautiful mountain lake to find a tiny shallow mountain stream. It was a cold day in November but some of the leaves were still clinging to the trees.
Before long I was 10 yards away from the still pool with almost nowhere to cast. Nestled in the deepest part of that pool, about one and a half feet at most, was a brook trout. It was waving back and forth, staring upstream.
Long story short I spent the next 20 minutes taking measured casts to just break the water and dance a whole host of flies past this picky eater. In the end I tipped my hat to the fish and headed on my journey upstream.
“That’s why it’s called fishing and not catching.”
Tools of the Mountain Trout Fisherman
- Rod: 7-9ft fly fishing rod in a 3-5lb weight range. This is a light reel.
- Reel: You need a light or ultralight fly fishing reel
- Line: A 3-5 weight floating line is great for casting the tiny flies you will be using
- Backing: 20lb test backing is great for fishing brook trout.
- Leader: At least a 7.5-foot leader in the 4x – 6x range
- Tippet: A 5x to 6x tippet is best for the smaller flies, though this is delicate stuff so take it easy!
- Waders: Cold water fishing requires hip waders
- Vest: A fly fisherman’s vest is perfect for holding all your gear
Fly Fisherman’s Accessories:
- Nippers
- Forceps
- Strike Indicators
- Flotant
- Landing Net
- Fly Boxes
Flies
- Caddisflies
- Caddis Larvae
- Crickets
- Inch Worm
- Trico
- Prince Nymph
- Hare’s Ear Nymph
Restrictions
Trout fishing often comes with some form of restriction. Native mountain trout can have all kinds of restrictions on fishing for them. There are also license stamps that you need to purchase long before you step foot in any creek.
You purchase trout stamps in conjunction with your regular fishing license. For some creeks and streams you pay to fish for the day. Then you have restrictions on how things like catch and release or day limits of fish to take. Most mountain trout fishing is catch and release.
You also have restrictions on the types of bait used. Some places will not allow live bait. Some will also require that you use lures with only a single hook.
Get to know the restrictions for the area you are fishing in and the specific body of water that you wish to fish. The last thing you want is to drive two hours into the mountains only to find out you are not allowed to fish at all!
Stocked Mountain Lakes
While the allure of Appalachian Mountain trout fishing can be catching native trout, there is more to do. Remember, fishing in the mountains is as much about the scenery as it is about the fish. There are many stocked lakes in the mountains where you can catch rainbow trout and brown trout.
These fish are a lot of fun to catch, and you can even keep a limit of these stocked fish. If you have the skill to butcher these fish then you could be eating fresh caught rainbow trout, prepared in a cast iron skillet while enjoying the mountain vistas.
Stocked trout also have less restrictions, too.
Fishing Tips for Appalachian Mountain Trout
The formative years of my life were spent in the shallow waters of southeastern Pennsylvania chasing trout with a fly rod. Here is my best advice for catching trout with a fly rod.
Take time and lessons to learn how to use a fly rod. This is the most important tip I can give you. Fly fishing is how you will catch most native mountain trout, but it takes some practice.
Early is always better. Hit the water when the sun is just coming up. Lowlight conditions are not all the same. The evening is different than early morning.
Plan your cast. When you find a fish take your time and plan out how you are going to cast your fly without scaring it. If you cast too close the water will splash too far, and you might not be able to control the fly to get it right over or near the fish.
Mind your line. When your fly is moving down the stream you have to make sure the line doesn’t run over the fish potentially scaring it.
Wear camo. I know this might sound crazy but blending into your surroundings will help you get closer to your quarry without them seeing. This will help you make that perfect cast which could lead to a fish on the hook.
Be prepared to move on. After about 10 casts in the same spot, to the same fish, it is probably time to move on. The fish is thoroughly spooked and is not going to bite but one upstream might be waiting for you!
Final Thoughts on Appalachian Mountain Trout Fishing
Make no mistakes about it, catching native trout on small flies with an ultralight flyrod is challenging. It will likely test your fishing abilities beyond what you thought possible. Still, it is worth the trek and the tales that come with it.
Plan ahead so you know what you are getting yourself into. There is a lot that goes into managing a trout stream and the rules and laws are there for a reason. Know them and follow them because they are there to preserve the streams for future trips and generations.
Don’t forget to enjoy the journey as much as fishing. When you find yourself in the throes of the wild the very worst mistake you can make is splashing around angrily in the water over a brook trout that is 6 inches long.
