A beginner guide to steam fishing

Many grow up in cities or suburbs only thinking of fishing as an occasional hobby or something to try just as a time consumption activity. Often lakes, ponds, reservoirs are the goto when people do decide to wet a line. However, for many there is an overlooked and underappreciated way of fishing, stream fishing. If you're the type that has a hard time engaging in fishing and need more action and if you're just a lover of beauty in nature then stream fishing is for you. Being able to hear the water move, seeing how it curves around its landscape, and smelling the freshness in the air. These are all things that lead people to love stream fishing. The other fact of beauty about stream fishing is that when you're fishing a stream by foot you're also getting to enjoy a hike as well as getting some exercise which we could all use more of. Factors of misunderstanding are often what keep people from venturing into the world of stream fishing, here we will hopefully help to demystify, and explain some easy tips to help your next stream fishing be an adventure of a lifetime. 

What to fish for in a stream?

Trout are the kings and queens when it comes to fresh water stream species of interest. It is important though to remember that not every stream carries trout, but every stream with fish holds amazing opportunities. Bass often frequent streams where trout don’t and something you might not know if you’ve only ever fished bodies of water that don’t have constant flow. Bass, although typically smaller in streams, fight significantly harder and for longer than fish in a lake or pond. Catfish also make for a formidable game fish to angle for in areas where more northern fish might not be present. Pan fish may also be very common in streams as small as a creek or as big as major rivers. The point is that you don’t have to confine yourself with stream fishing. Be looking for new opportunities with stream fishing that allow you to expand your skill and capabilities. Our favorites to seek out are; Trout, Bass, and Catfish all of which bring their own unique challenges and rewards when caught in a stream. 

What does someone need to stream fish?

What a phenomenal question this is! This question alone is what will keep many people from getting into stream fishing and fishing alone. Yahoo finance displays on google that the average american will spend nearly $300 a month on entertainment. Well, I’m here to tell you if price is what you're concerned about. I know that stream fishing will shock you at how cheap it can be. I think many who do stream fish will say that regardless of catching or eating what you catch, the money spent on stream fishing is far better spent that way than on other entertainment that keeps you cooped up in the house. You need a fishing license, a rod & reel with line, some sort of bait/lure, and a smile.  It’s that simple, you don’t need all the fancy gear that you see on all the fly fishing and outdoor magazines or any of those types of ads. The most important thing to bring is yourself, full of ambition for what God might show you on your adventure. Below is a quick list with what you will need and even some links for if you wish to buy today!

1- State fishing license: (this will be found in your states online department of wildlife and fisheries pages.)

2- Rod, Reel, and line: GO HERE

3- Lures: GO HERE

4- You 🫵

How and where to fish a stream?

So you’ve got your license and you're convinced you want to try to fish a stream, but how? You know what you need and you might even already have a specific spot picked out, but you're still scratching your head about how you’re going to get a fish on the end of your line. Don’t worry, take a deep breath and know that you are now an angler. You are beginning the process of why they call fishing, fishing and not catching. You must know that not even the best professional anglers in the world catch em’ every day! Patients is your best friend when reading the water and trying to understand how fish move under the surface and where you need to cast to get your bait just in the right area to get a bite. Understand this too, some days you might be bonking fish on the head every cast but if they don’t want to eat you just won’t get bites, and that’s okay, some days that just happens. Earlier you got your license on your state's fish and wildlife management online site. You may have already done some looking around on that site but if you didn’t you’ll want to go back to it! Most states will have a list of some sort on their site of all the public places that you can fish, in there you will find a stream that works for you. Now would be a phenomenal time to reach out to someone you know who loves to fish and tell you want some recommendations on where to go stream fishing. Furthermore, you’ll need to know how to fish the location that you picked if you want to be successful. Depending on whether or not you're fishing something as large as the Mississippi river, or something as small as a 3 foot wide creek, water depth is huge. Things like water temps, water clarity, and CFS (how fast the stream is flowing) will all determine what depth you will be needing to fish at. This inversely will determine what bait / lure you chose as well! Typically as a good rule of thumb is that you will be fishing slower the faster the stream is flowing (CFS). You have to remember that these fish have muscles that are fighting a constant current and they seek out the easiest, most rewarding meal to maximize efficiency, growth, and health. A common word you will need to be familiar with when talking about where to make a cast is (EDDY), what is an eddy you might ask: “a place in the river immediately downstream of an obstacle, such as a rock or stump. The water seeks to back-fill the lower-pressure area behind an obstacle, forming a pocket of upstream current.” Fish love these places because it allows them to not work so hard when sitting in that slightly lower pressured pocket of water. Remember what we said earlier as well, “fish want easy meals.” If you see an eddy and through your bait / lure right in there, chances are you're going to be getting a bite very quickly! If you’ve prepared yourself accordingly and have patience and a good attitude, regardless of all these things we’ve discussed you will have a great time on your newest fishing adventure! Remember to get out there and enjoy yourself, relax and take in the beauty of God's creation and know that you are loved! You are there right where you are listening with a profound ear to heart of our Creator! We love you all and hope that you are inspired to get out there and take on your next adventure.

• Adventure Awaits