Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
Brown Trout originate from Germany and/or Western Europe and are sometimes called "German Brown Trout". Brown Trout do not get as large as some of their relatives, often maxing out at less than 24 inches. Brown Trout are less common in Spokane, but are available in most waters. It may be because they are less common, or perhaps because they are more savvy that they are a less common catch, but they are a jewel to land and to catch one in one of the many Spokane waters is a real treat.
The Brown Trout is yellow or brown in color with dark circle spots on the head and back. The lateral line of the fish often has red circle spots.
If you are fortunate enough to catch a Brown Trout in Spokane, you have probably landed an old soul of a fish. Try wet flies around fallen trees in the water, or other natural occurring cover. Along the edge of bushes on the bank that droop into the water is a good place to toss a wet fly or nymph and catch a Brown Trout. Let the fly sink for a few seconds, then slowly draw the line in using a slight jerking motion. If the brown trout doesn't hit the fly on the sink, then the jerky motion of drawing the line in slowly can get them to strike. Either way, stick close to submerged cover and get deep if possible. For this reason, Brown Trout are more challenging to catch and a true reward when landed.
In the Eastern United States, Browns are sometimes considered a nuisance fish because they are more aggressive and tend to crowd out the native Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout. But their relatively small numbers and less frequent catch rate in and around Spokane makes them more of a trophy fish in these waters.
Brown Trout spawn in Autumn, often October and into November. Many of the waters in Spokane close at the end of November, so if you are fishing late in the season and work gravel beds and sandy areas on the edge of lakes or streams, say from a boat or float tube, working the lure from the shore, back into the deeper water, odds are you'll catch a Brown trout in Spokane.
For more information about fishing in Spokane, check out www.SpokaneFishing.com.
