It can't be that hard

[Sweet Melissa]

I have lived in this town for 4 years now, and have yet to catch a single trout at the local fish ponds. I have caught a bazillion hatchery trout in my lifetime, and I know it cannot be that hard. Have tried everything from Powerbait to flies. I honestly think it is part of the reason I still don't feel this is "home."

One pond does not allow any boats/pontoons/float tubes, but the other does. I do have a float tube and neoprene waders, so I could get off the bank. The next scheduled stocking date is Dec. 17.

So, how can I catch a fish this year? This is getting pretty ridiculous.

[18406ej]

I have had good luck using my float tube and waders at Walter Wirth pond in Salem. If you have tried everything from Powerbait to flies, then you must remember that we call it "fishing" and not "catching". I hope you start to feel that this is home- it is a great place.

[Sweet Melissa]

Originally Posted by 18406ej

If you have tried everything from Powerbait to flies, then you must remember that we call it "fishing" and not "catching". I hope you start to feel that this is home- it is a great place.

LOL. Yeah, but I'm a pretty good "catcher," usually.

I was raised on the coast, then moved to the high desert. Didn't have trouble catching fish at either of those places. I'm still getting used to the valley, though. It's nice, just not "home" yet.

[Sweet Melissa]

What have you found to work at Walter Wirth?

I use Powerbait only when I don't know what else to try. But even that's not working. I had been told that part of the reason it's so effective is that the scent is similar to, possibly the same as, that of the feed they give the trout at the hatchery.

As for flies, I usually try a hare's ear, woolly bugger, or Black Carey as searching patterns. Those, too, are not doing it for me.

[Dullhook]

I'm far from an expert at this but have noticed that stocked trout in ponds seem to hang close to shore rather than out in the middle. Kids sometimes outfish their folks (they deserve to catch more anyway) because they get their bait with short casts more out in front of the fish.

Planters seem to like going after shiny spoons like Thomas Buoyants retrieved slowly off the bottom and sometimes take them right off the bank. With the cold water you might try a worm and marshmallow with a sliding sinker about 18" off the bottom.

Hang in there Melissa. Perseverance, my dear!

[Sweet Melissa]

Originally Posted by Dullhook

Hang in there Melissa. Perseverance, my dear!

Pleh. I must have prayed for patience at some time, because I am definitely getting it the hard way. :tongue:

The thing about the kids catching them makes me laugh, because every year the town has a kids' fishing derby. They always have nice little pictures in the local paper the next week, "Here's Madison, age 4, with her 5 keepers. This is 3 yr. old Ashley with her big catch."

Time to break out the Snoopy pole.

[18406ej]

I have had really good luck with a wet fly, although I don't know what type it is. Casting along the shore rather than out into the lake has given me the best results.

[Salty1]

Welcome SM,

As I live very close to a stocked pond, I've played around with trying to find something these farm raised Piranhas WON'T bite. So maybe I can help a little. Please be aware local waters may well mean what works for me may be worthless for you.

As they well into the stocking for fall already, there are a decent number of trout again in a few ponds. Oregon continues stocking in the fall/winter and some stockers will be of the 16" or larger size. Those fish have been suckers for drifted baits as most others here have stated. On a few lakes small spinners)white/chartreuse/orange and or small spoons in those same colors with silver or copper work well. Most other times it's worm or power bait that brings home dinner. I suggest toting 2 rods, one to cast and one for bait. Cast until you're tired or have the fish located, then you can always get numbers with live bait.
Using scents can at times, make a day/night difference in results. I'm not sure if some fishermen don't think of the wonderful sense of smell these fish have, or they're hypnotized into believing only what worked before can work that day. I've used shrimp, anise, nightcrawler, vanilla, sand shrimp, cheese and strawberry - all scents with varied degrees of success. If I had to pick two it's shrimp and anise.

My #1 Choice for all locations will surprise those who haven't used them, but the good old white garden worm is a kill'r everywhere for me. Worms of all types work at times.
As to prepared baits - 95% of the time the chartreuse w/glitter is about all you'll need - except on days when they are changing from orange TOO the chartreuse. I buy the paste type so I can goodies to it. Including a very light dusting of Craft Center purchased reflective glitters.

I love using a long fast action rod to help toss a worm and also it gives these little terrors a chance to give a great showing for themselves. It also allows lighter line, but seldom have I even seen a true need to go over or under 4-6 lb test in small diameter or fluorocarbon. I mention the fluorocarbon not for visibility issue, but to keep the line from blowing around. The lines density helps it settle below the surface quickly so your float drifts slowly.

VERY light action Balsa type float works wonders. Don't expect a poor little trout to take the equivalent of a beach ball under water. Those huge round plastic floats cost more fish then then catch. Although... laughing to myself here... I have seen a few starving trout grab a bait and have so MUCH resistance they hooked themselves on those buoys! Scale back and have fun, plus they're darn tasty too!

Save the links below. They will take you to the Oregon stocking reports and also a map program at which you can select a species and it will help you find the best locations for the species.

If none of this helps.... you forgot to get to stocked waters!

http://rainbow.dfw.state.or.us/fishfinder/

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/...tte/index.html

Have FUN

[deeptrout]

go to detroit, up by the hoover ramp. walk down the flowing water till you get to the still waters of the reservoir. find a place you can cast a bobber with a worm, or a rooster tail or a fly and catch a stocker if the fish are biting. if not, you get a chance to look at what will be the bottom next summer when the reservoir is full and the state drops about a gazillion stockers off of that ramp.

[reeldick]

Put a 1/2 a worm on a small hook. Put a little air in it with a worm blower so it floats off the bottom. Add a slip sinker and you have the magic formula for hatchery trout in the valley.

[Sweet Melissa]

Thanks for the tip, reeldick. I know on the coast, specifically Coffenbury Lake, eggs were sort of the secret trout weapon. I had a lot of fun limiting out when nobody else around was catching anything. I will give the worms a try, maybe with scent per Salty1's advice. So much for being a purist. At this point, it's all about catching. I like watching the birds, and enjoying the fresh air, using the time to pray, etc., etc., but it's about time to bring in a nice fat planter. :smile:

[fishkisser]

#2 buds spinner .....