There’s a certain crispness that comes during this time of year that takes control of our senses as chilly winds whip through the mountains pulling nature’s perfectly colored picture off the very limbs they clung to the last several months. What a display, and how blessed are we to witness this canvass every year. The same thing happens in a different realm right under most of our noses as school starts back up after winter break and football draws to a dramatic close. For those of us that continue to fish, this time of year offers us reprieve from the crowds, and another canvas beautifully painted by nature that swims freely in the rivers and lakes. This time of year offers some of the best trout fishing of the year with an amazing spectacle of color for those fortunate enough to witness it firsthand. Just like any experience, having the right tools can make this experience even more special.
There’s a special type of lure that I always have with me when fishing rivers or lakes this time of year; jerk baits! That being said not all jerk baits are created equal when it comes to trout fishing, and certainly not so when it comes to fishing moving water. Quite a few jerk baits blow out fairly easily in moving water, which is counterproductive to catching fish. There are a few brands that I use that really dig down deep and handle fast moving water seamlessly. My all-time favorite brand to use is Dynamic Lures based out of Grand Junction, Colorado. Known as an amazing trout state, Dynamic Lures were designed solely for river fishing for trout. There are two sized lures to choose from with Dynamic Lures, the first being the bigger of the two: Jspec. This jerk bait has caught me more big trout to date across the country hands down to any other jerk bait on the market. The smaller brother to the Jspec is the Trout HD coming in at 2.25 inches and is very similar to the Rapala countdown, but maintains its action in slower moving water where the countdown loses its steam. Coming in at a close second, some of you who walleye fish will know of the Smithwick Rogue, which has been a prolific jerk bait for many years. The shape of the bill is key to its success in faster moving water, and sometimes when you really need that reactionary bite a bigger bait is the way to go. The question now is what colors to use? Pretty simple on colors when it comes to trout fishing. I use about 4-5 different patterns that absolutely crush it while trout fishing. The top 5 colors are anything gold based, rainbow pattern, brown trout, pink, and my absolute favorite color is anything with a red/orange/yellow combination like a crawdad or firecraw pattern.
Jerk baits can really attract some big fish, even when they're under heavy pressure. What’s truly impressive about most jerk baits is that they are almost as easy to use for any level of fisherman with a little instruction, similar to casting a Kastmaster or spinner. These baits do much of the work for you, making them ideal for beginners, but they also give experienced anglers the chance to modify the retrieve, adding more action and precision to the bait's movement. It’s It's reassuring to know that anyone can use these lures and catch fish just by reeling them in. The action of the Jspec, in particular, catches my eye—and the fish's—as you get plenty of feedback (vibration) when the lure is working correctly. If the lure gets fouled or picks up weeds, you'll notice because it will lose its vibration when you reel it in. Knowing the basics of river fishing can help you get the most out of this technique and any others, leading to more catches and memorable, colorful fall moments. That brings us to our next topic: how to fish rivers with jerk baits.
Looking for ambush points on the river is key to catching big fish. Big fish don’t spend much energy hunting for tough or small meals; instead, they focus on easy meals at these ambush spots on the river. For those just starting out fishing in the river, most of these ambush points are fairly easy to find, but placing your lure correctly can be tricky and requires some practice. One of the best spots to target is anything behind a rock or underwater barrier that creates a rapid or back current behind it. Big fish and fish in general often sit on the back end to eat injured fish or insects swept by the current. This is why spillways often harbor large fish—bait fish are drawn through the dam, getting injured or killed along the way. You’ll often find these larger and feeding fish right on the spillway wall, grabbing food as it’s pushed through and then retreating under the torrent. Casting at an angle upstream of this ambush point will not only give your lure the best action as it moves back downstream but also position it across the ambush spot, giving you more time to present the lure to the fish. As shown in the illustrations below, on the left, you should stand by the current and cast diagonally into the riffle. Finding “seams” in the river is also a great spot—these are areas where rapids meet calm water, and fish often wait for food to pass by. A seam is where you have fast-moving water on one side and slack or back currents on the other. Fish tend to sit in these areas, dodging back and forth to feed. A quick jerk and pause when crossing the seam often result in a strike.
When retrieving jerk baits, aim to match the river's current speed. Every few turns of your reel, give a quick jerk, followed by a very brief pause (about one second). This mimics an injured fish crossing an ambush point, often provoking a strike during the pause. Brown trout behave a bit differently—they tend to set up in fast-moving water near features like rapids, rocks, or logs and are more aggressive feeders. It’s important to cast just above such structures so that the water drags the lure into the ambush spot. For this style of fishing, cast diagonally upstream and rip the bait in quickly or retrieve it slowly. When fishing eddies, I like to cast upstream (standing at the head of the eddy) and work the lure on its way back down, letting it pass you so that the water helps give the lure action on the back side as the current “long-lines” the lure downstream, with occasional pops. I’ve caught some nice rainbows doing this, especially those hanging out at the front end of the eddy, grabbing bait caught in the current.
Sure, the weather’s colder, and the wind bites a bit more, but so do the beautifully painted fish! Having the right tools will make fishing this time of year worthwhile, and I promise you’ll be rewarded with bigger fish and bigger memories. You know you have the right lure when you’re consistently catching double-digit amounts of fish, and the paint is beaten up from all the strikes! This start to river fishing this year has been incredible, thanks to many companies’ innovative products that are becoming more mainstream with jerk bait fishing for trout. Give them a shot and see what memories they can create for you!r you!