Hello everyone!

I just got stationed at Fort Lewis and I was wondering if anyone could possibly give me some basic advice on trout fishing?

I am an avid fisherman and I am used to fishing for bass/walleye/northern/muskie but I have never really fished for trout since I am originally from Chicago.

So far, I have been fishing at American Lake and I have had some moderate success. The only two techniques that I have found to work are trolling with a wedding ring and small piece of worm and also fishing under a bobber with a power egg and worm. I have mainly been catching kokanee but I did land a nice 14 inch rainbow once.

When you guys still fish for trout, do you usually use a bobber or fish on the bottom? Also, are worms the preferred bait?

Lastly, what depth are trout normally found in? I know when I fished for smallmouth bass I normally would fish between 10-20 feet. Do trout stay in a certain depth range normally?

Thanks for any advice you can give to a new trout angler. Good luck fishing to all of you.

Welcome to the area! I guess trout fishing techniques are as varied as there are fishermen. You are right on the money with the wedding ring and trolling, play with different depths and colors and try worms or power bait to tip the hook with. Pop some hildebrandts in line with you gear and you're good to hook. As far as still fishing goes, I prefer 4 - 6 lb test rigged with barrel siker and split shot about 12 inches above a swivel. The about a 24ich leader at least 2 lbs lighter than your main line with a #6 or #8 hook of your choice to terminate the setup. power bait in colors acording to water conditions ( I prefer the eggs, bubble gum and lime green are good ones to start with, dont rule out red or white though). You can add a chunk of crawler or use it by itself, both work great so dont limit yourself.
Trout ar going to move with water temp, this time of year you will start to see them move deeper during the day to avoid the heat, look for early morning and evening bites. Eastern washington is definately gonna be getting deep this time of year.
Just some of the stuff Ive picked up. Some other good lakes in the fort Lewis area are Silver, Ohop, Kapowsin and Alder. If you are in the mood for about a 45 minute drive you really cant beat mineral and a little farther to riffe.
Good Luck -- Jeff

Welcome west! Jeff is right about the lakes he mentioned,but I'm still getting a limet in 2hrs or less of nice pan size bows,10-13",trolling a half&half Dick-Nite,(bronze&silver),no weight,just a small swivel 2/3ft above the spoon. Usually loose about 40% of the hits.they hit hard,but don't hook-up. Still fishing I would use worms,either close to top or just off the bottem. I release all but what I'm going to eat or smoke within a couple of days. Good bank fishing north of boat launch.The Dick-Nite has worked for me for 30+ yrs. Hope this helps! I've been taLking about OHOP LAKE but will work in surrounding lakes as well! I know you will have FUN!!!! CARL

Thanks for all the information guys! I am going to try and find some dick-nites this weekend and give them a try. I had one question though, how quickly do you troll them?

I think I got the trolling speed down for wedding rings but I wasn't sure if I should troll faster with the dick-nite.

Thanks for all the other suggestions with the different lakes, I only have a 10 foot inflatable boat with a trolling motor so my options are a little limited but I definetly plan to check into those other lakes. Well take care and good luck fishing to you all.

Any sporting shop should have the Dick-nites,I use the "wee Dick-nite" very small. Your 10ft should work well in any of our lakes around the Fort area. I troll slow,verying my speed. For a change,try trolling a Carey Special or a Pink Lady fly,again no weight. THis seems to work even if the fish are not showing on the surface or hitting nites or rings. I'm sure you will catch on quickly! if not give a yell!!!!!! CARL