Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Also known as: Rainbow trout, forel
Illustration: gardenroutefishing.co.za
Introduced game fish of cold mountain streams and dams — the fly angler's high-country quarry.
Field guide
Silver with a pink-red lateral band and heavy black spotting.
Cold, clear high-altitude streams and dams
Common 0.3-1.5 kg in mountain waters
Feeds on insects, nymphs and small fish
Determined runs into structure; bass jump, carp and barbel pull long and hard.
Brown trout (spotted, no pink band)
How to catch Rainbow Trout
Fly gear (#3-6) or light spinning
2500–4000 spinning reel or a low-profile baitcaster.
8–15 lb braid or mono.
Size 4 up to 2/0 depending on bait/lure.
Fluorocarbon 10–20 lb for clear water.
Nymphs, dry flies, small spinners
When to catch Rainbow Trout
Cool overcast days, hatches
Not tidal — fish dawn, dusk and overcast days; barometric drops before a front fire them up.
Overcast cool days; hatch over moon
Most active in warm water 20–26 °C; slows right down when cold.
🥅 Landing
Use a rubberised landing net to protect slime and fins.
♻️ Release
Keep fish wet, support horizontally, and never move live fish between waters (alien-species law).
📏 Limits & restrictions
🚫 Alien in most waters — barbless catch-and-release in many fisheries; club rules apply
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