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Flash & Dash Trout
By Jim W

Question:
I fished on the Root in and near Forestville today. I picked up 2 nice rainbows and a few little browns during midday. The one thing that was strange was that there were plenty of fish around but they would just flash at my lure and not hit it. I threw everything I had at them from jigs to raps to topwaters and poppers. Why do these fish do this? Are they territorial and trying to chase my offering away(like bass) or do they notice at the last second that it is an artificial? I'm new to this and would also like to know of any tricks to get them to actually bite. Answer: Jim W
Hey guys,
A couple things that first come to mind when you mention the trout flashing at your bait. First, It could be related to the trout being caught before and the recent fishing pressure, making the trout a little more hesitant in taking your bait. Or, the trout is reacting instinctively to it's feeding mechanisms!

Many times over the years I've run into a flasher even on good days when the bite is strong. The trout are usually a fish that incorporates a high level of feeding instinct. SO what could be happeneng is these two factors. The trout might already be full and is instinctively reacting to a flashing lure or presentation. "hey, there is something 'sexy' flashing over there, I better go check it out".

If the fish are flashing near your feet or close to you and not grabbing your bait, it could simply indicate that they saw you and became spooked. If you know they didn't see you and this occurs, I recommend increasing the length of your cast and fishing in the riffle or fast current areas, making only up stream casts. You should get a trout that is instinctively reacting to it's survival mechanisms to make a mistake and go a little too far, getting hooked!!! Keep the rods bendin'!!! Jim W

Red Pine Resort
Ice Fishing on Kabetogama.