Trout Fishing while spawning......

[stikrz]

Since I'm still new to fly fishing this might be a silly question, but should the spawning season generally aid in catching or are the trout "preoccupied" that would reduce numbers. I went to Montauk yesterday and only caught about 12-15 (I lose count), but Tuesday caught 25+, so I thought I'd pose the question.

Thanks all,

Chuck

[10pointer]

if they are chasing eachother around i dont even bother with them. I dont have the patience to mess with them fish.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Given the location, its possible that you hit a stocked location the first day. Its not unusual in the parks to have the experience you had, especially if you fish the same location in successive days.

[stikrz]

Thanks for those two replies and to clarify a bit more I was asking about if fish were more finicky when they are spawning or if it makes any difference and then the first two replies would prevail. I had a member PM me in case this opened up a can of worms on fishing redds or shuffling and all the other wrong doings some do!!!

Thanks all,

Chuck

[Wayne SW/MO]

I'm not sure that there is any spawning in most streams to worry about. There are exceptions, but I don't think the parks qualify.

To answer your question, they don't seem to change a lot, fishing can be great at Taney during the spawning runs.

Shuffling is simply unsportsmanlike in the mind of many, mine included. I like to know I can fool one once in a while, not hide a fly in a storm of bottom debris.

[Terry Beeson]

Bad knees force me to "shuffle" or you would have to carry me out of the river after a couple hours fishing. I sometimes feel guilty about it, but then I don't stand there doing a routine from the Rocketts either....

As for fishing the spawn/redds, etc. Yep... that can of worms has been opened and was second only to the use of gloves as an active thread.

Gentlemen, before we discuss fishing redds or using gloves, we should decide whether the duel will be with guns or knives.... :ph34r:

[Wayne SW/MO]

Depending on the water, I shuffle sometimes also, and I think many do. Its fishing in the current break off the toes that makes it a little different.

I'm personally torn as to what I hate the worse, shuffling to catch fish, kicking fish back into the water, or the 5 minute photo sessions?

[stikrz]

It was a simple question. Does the spawning/mating "season", season being the key word, effect the catch rate?

That's all I'm asking.

[Terry Beeson]

Now Wayne, do you really expect me to have my picture taken with a huge fish before I get my hairdo to match that of the infamous Mr Wilson? And besides... I have to make sure you can clearly read the "Backcountry Outfitters" or "Beaver Dam Store" on my cap or Michael or Steve won't pay me the $50....

Actually, my pet peeve is watching them clean a limit of fish on the bank, then 30 minutes later, come back and start working on another limit... I've even witnessed a THIRD trip in one day on the Spring River in Arkansas... And that's with the wife and 3 kids supposedly "fishing"...

[mizzouflyfisher]

Short answer: it depends. If fish are chasing each other and circling, it's really hard to catch them and probably not worth the effort, plus you're more likely to snag a fish. If the fish is actually spawning on a redd, you can catch them, but whether or not you should is a different question that I will not address here. The "spawning season" as you put it is in my opinion the best time of year to fish. I like cold weather and big fish. Night fishing in December/January is a lot of fun.

Mizzouflyfisher