🎣 Fishing & smoking

Trout Fishing: Fly Fishing & Spin Fishing in the Stream

2 min read · Season: Spring · June 9, 2026

Trout fishing – precision and patience by the water

Trout are considered the most demanding freshwater fish. They live in clear, oxygen-rich waters, are extremely wary, and react sensitively to mistakes. Anyone who can outsmart them has proven real angling skill.

Trout species at a glance

Brown trout (Salmo trutta fario):

The most common trout species in German streams and rivers
Bright red and black spots, golden-yellow flanks
Very site-faithful – knows every stone in its territory

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss):

Originally from North America, now widespread
Typically a pink longitudinal stripe and black spots reaching into the tail fin – check several features together to tell it apart from brown trout
Somewhat less wary than brown trout

Lake-run brown trout:

Migratory form of brown trout, lives in the lake, spawns in streams
The largest form of brown trout, can exceed 10 kg

Method 1: Spin fishing

The easiest entry point into trout fishing for beginners.

Equipment:

Light spinning rod, 1.8–2.4 m, casting weight 3–15 g
Spinning reel with 0.16–0.20 mm monofilament or 0.06–0.08 mm braided line
Lures: small spinners (Mepps Aglia No. 1–2), spoons, mini wobblers

Technique:

Cast the lure across the current, retrieve slowly with the flow
Vary retrieval speed – trout respond to combinations of stimuli
Wading with wading boots allows more precise positioning

Method 2: Fly fishing

The discipline of kings – and at the same time the most natural method.

Principle: An almost weightless artificial fly is cast using the weight of the fly line – not the weight of the lure.

Basic equipment:

Fly rod, 7–9 feet, weight class 4–6
Fly line matched to the rod's weight class (WF = weight forward)
Leader 2–3 m, tapering down to 0.12–0.16 mm
Flies: dry flies (float on top), nymphs (fished underwater)

Tip for beginners: Learn the basic cast with practice casting before heading to the water – casting lessons are worthwhile.

Where do trout hold?

Behind and in front of rocks – low-current zones
Under overhanging banks – cover and insect drop zones
Inflow zones (where a stream flows into a pond)
Outer bends with deep water

Closed season & minimum size

Varies by state and body of water – ask the fishing rights holder or check your permit! Example North Rhine-Westphalia (state fishing regulation, version from 9 Dec 2025): brown trout closed season 20 October to 15 March, minimum size 25 cm.

Sources

State of North Rhine-Westphalia: Landesfischereiverordnung (LFischVO), as of version in force from 9 Dec 2025, accessed 5 Oct 2026

The sources support individual statements in this article. The organisations named have neither reviewed nor endorsed it.