How To Have An Awesome Trout Opener
Each spring the countdown to trout opener begins again. In our zone, trout open the fourth Saturday in April, and even when we can fish trout ahead of that time in other zones, we look forward to opener here in FMZ 16.
Some of my favourite fishing memories have come from opener. It’s the anticipation, the prep work, the chance to see such beautiful fish, and the ability to do some of the most easily accessible fishing around. Here are a few tips for having an awesome opening weekend.
Find Someone to Fish With
Even for an introvert like me, sharing the excitement with someone else makes for a great start to the season. More people fishing together means more lines in the water and trying more lures to find what works. It means having someone to talk to, laugh with, and share the joy of catching a fish. It means having extra hands to take a picture while you hold your fish. Or it’s having someone to agree that the one that got away was HUGE. No matter what, fishing with someone else on trout opener makes it even more fun and special.
Research Where You Plan To Fish
You don’t need to put a whole lot of effort into this, but you should know some basics before you head out. First and foremost, check the regs. Not every waterbody will be open. There are fish sanctuaries and areas with special regulations that you need to observe. For example, one of our favourite spots to fish on the Grand River is single, barbless hooks only, so when we lived in the area we modified our preferred trout baits to comply with this rule. Know your catch limits, Even if you aren’t planning to keep anything, not every fish can be released. Also, make sure your fishing license is up-to-date.
Another thing to be mindful of is that many rivers have dams on them and water levels may change quickly. If you’re going creek fishing, remember that not all ground is solid (another good reason to fish with a buddy). So many times I’ve tried to work closer to a creek only to have the seemingly solid ground give way and I fall into water past my knee. Try to have an idea of what the area is like before you go out.
Fish With Your Favourite Gear
You should have fun on trout opener and for me that includes using my favourite gear. Creek fishing for brook trout is how I’ve celebrated every opener except for one. Using my tiny, light action spinning rods and casting small inline spinners and tiny jigs is by far my favourite way to fish for trout. I love using that gear and it makes me so happy to cast that setup that I’ll probably have a great day even if the fish don’t bit. Plus, the creeks, rivers, and local ponds are usually packed on that first weekend, so it’s not the best time to be figuring out new gear or using something that often frustrates you.
Make Sure Your Waders Don’t Leak
If you’re planning to get in the water, you’ll want to be wearing waders. Do yourself a favour and patch those holes from last year and look for any news ones. I highly recommend sitting in the bathtub with your waders on to test them out for new leaks, instead of finding out in freezing cold creek water. All that said, I have fond memories of my co-worker and I shrieking to each other about new wader leaks at the start of each field season, so if you don’t mind being surprised, go for it.
Don’t Forget The Basics
By basics, I don’t mean your tackle or your fishing skills. I mean your sunglasses, some sunscreen, a hat, a snack, and water. Getting a sunburn sucks and it can happen at any time of the year. Getting hangry or dehydrated can lead to you being cranky with your fishing partner or being frustrated by a lack of fish. Go prepared and have a great day.
Trout opener is such a fun time of the year. We’ll start our season as usual by hitting up some small creeks and hoping for beautiful brookies to bite. No matter how or where you choose to fish for opener, I have you have an awesome time and enjoy it!
argosgirl
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