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Wild Trout Misbehavin'

Our July 2000 contribution from Lesley Crawford

The more I fish for wild trout the more I realise just how unpredictable their behaviour can be. Anglers can make all sorts of assumptions about why a trout did this or that, but when it comes to the crunch, these beautiful fish have a habit of confusing all our best conjectures with remarkable ease. Though some excellent reference books on trout behaviour have been produced in the past, 'The Trout' by Frost & Brown and the more recent American Wildlife Series 'Trout' edited by Stolz and Schnell being just two better examples, fisherman still find trout capricious and challenging enigmas. This of course is an intrinsic part of their appeal but every now and again modes of trout conduct appear to need more than a bit of explaining

To help you steer a drift through the wild trout's idiosyncratic whims, I have highlighted a few fishy quirks which will undoubtedly affect the success or failure of your angling day...

Trout Feeding The Abundance Theory

Most of us will be aware that trout are opportunistic feeders and that, providing it does not scare them, they will take anything which bears a passing resemblance to something they would normally eat. Equally we know that trout are efficient predators who like to patrol their 'patch' and that they will sometimes aggressively grab a fly because it looks like another fish which has invaded their territory. However there are plenty of occasions when the trout fail to follow these rules and to cope with this, fisherman make all sorts of assumptions about what is going on unseen below the water surface. Probably the most well known tactic for coping with these trout foibles is to 'match the hatch' whereby we select a fly according to what we think the trout are feeding on. This is fine providing it is hugely obvious what the fish are taking, unfortunately with wild untamed trout its often none too clear. For example in loch fishing the fish will often grab gaudy flashy patterns while studiously ignoring your carefully presented exact imitation.

To cope with this erratic behaviour I suggest following the 'Abundance Theory' which I mentioned in my first major book 'Fishing for Wild Trout in Scottish Lochs'. If there is a prolific amount of interesting trout food on the go be that black midge, sedge or mayfly, the fish are more likely to be responsive to your flies. Normally, as long as your pattern moves on or in the water in a reasonably similar way to the most prevalent food source and has a vaguely similar shape/outline, then you are in with a shout. 'If they are feeding they are taking' is a weil kent phrase on many Scottish waters and is applicable anywhere where wild trout are your quarry. Look out for an abundant trout menu and the rest should follow.

The Weather and Wild Trout

The prevailing weather is the principal influence on how wild fish will or won't behave. I covered this extensively in April's Fish & Fly article so do take time out to refer back. Suffice to say the conditions act as the catalyst or the damper on the trout's food chains and therefore the corresponding amount of fish activity you are likely to see. Ideal conditions are mild, overcast, light breeze with an odd shower thrown in. The worst conditions which affect trout performance include plummeting barthometric pressure, cold thick mist, very high winds and oppressive thundery air.

'Migratory' Brown Trout

Have you ever noticed that though you caught fabulous trout in a loch or river at a particular time of year, when you returned to the exact same spot later in the season you caught nothing? Despite the general assumption that brown trout are a relatively static fish intent on defending his/her own territory it is quite wrong to take for granted that brown trout never move much from the one spot. Remember trout always have three needs to consider; to feed well, to keep safe and to reproduce. All trout behaviour is governed by these instincts and though the fish are not intelligent in the human sense they will always react to these stimuli. For example, wild brown trout will actively migrate toward the appearance of new prolific food sources as evident when a fish farm is established in freshwater and the trout travel over considerable distance to feed on pellet waste. And 'smolt migrations' occur as much in brown trout populations as they do with sea trout especially when the maturing fish find they no longer have enough succour in the natal streams and move on to the richer feeding of the main river or loch. In addition, trout in both stillwater and stream will always migrate to safer environs if their usual territory is under threat perhaps from a toxic ingress or a hefty spate. And when it comes to propagation of the species, brown trout are known to travel many underwater miles to get back to the stream of their birth.

All these migrations are then further influenced by the trout's genetic make up. Their genes might dictate a more pelagic lifestyle (Leven characteristics) or a more solitary deep water existence (Ferox characteristics). It is scientific fact that the genetic codes in trout define their overall behaviour but that it can be influenced and altered by prevailing environmental and ecological factors.

Thus it is that the fisherman will often find 'hot spots' changing position for no apparent reason when in fact the brownies may have migrated/moved on because of any number of social or genetic influences. The myth that only the sea trout actively migrates should be laid to rest once and for all.

The Resting Trout

Most anglers assume that trout never really take time out from their feeding cycle, however at certain times trout will exhibit a tendency to rest up in the shallows. While I understand the need to escape the silt ridden water of spates in flowing water I must admit I was for a number of years sceptical of trout 'resting' in still water. Now long experience tells me different for on many occasions I have come across trout lying up in very shallow water at a lochs edge. These trout were not feeding rather they appeared simply to be enjoying a rest from the activities of the main arena. Once I witnessed in the late evening the rare phenomenon of big trout lying with their noses tucked into the bank in perhaps 8 inches of water. As we approached they languidly swam off and we came to the conclusion that with cold mist tendrils rising from the centre of the loch, the trout were seeking refuge in the warmer margins.

And finally...

Trout behaviour continues to fascinate myself and many other like minded anglers. Truly it is a 'Science which can never be fully explained'. Still, the fun is in the finding out ...

Also within Fish & Fly...

June 2000: If you are a traditional wet or dry fly fisher, first attempts at nymph fishing often meet with mixed success... Lesley Crawford on Fishing the Nymph for Wild Browns

May 2000: We all know fishing is a relaxing yet challenging country pursuit enjoyed throughout Britain and that there are few finer escapes from an over stressed world. It would be great if our children could follow in our footsteps. Lesley Crawford looks at how we can encourage youngsters to take up the sport

April 2000: Lesley Crawford looks at how both the trout and angler react to weather conditions - Wild Weather

March 2000: Lesley Crawford takes a light-hearted look at how to get the most out of your wild trout fishing holiday in Scotland. A Survivor's Guide to Trout Fishing in Scotland.

February 2000: Lesley Crawford takes a seasoned look at various tactics employed by past masters in Scottish trout fishing and ponders how best we can apply old skills in the new millennium. Out with the old and in with the new. 

January 2000: Visiting the Highlands of Scotland for the first time you might be forgiven for thinking you have arrived in loch fishing paradise. An introduction to fishing for trout in Highland lochs from Lesley Crawford.