FishwithJD

Sometimes you find paradise in the strangest places. If I could be anywhere this time of year, it would probably be on the Trinity River, with its surrounding hillsides ablaze with fall colors and its own crystalline flows blackened by wave upon wave of migrating salmon. However, my busy guiding schedule keeps me close to home in Autumn, and while I love being on the local rivers, I occasionally need to get away from it all.

One of the oddest sanctuaries I’ve found is a small waterway near Woodland called the Toe Drain. Considering the name sounds a lot like something you’d need to cure a foot infection, you’d think that this hidden body of water would be, well, less than scenic. And you’re absolutely right.
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Now that trout season is here, it’s time for one of my favorite activities — fishing small creeks. Since I grew up on the Auburn Ravine’s North Fork, I’ve long been an affeciando of catching trout out of trickles. Most of the time little creeks give up…well…little trout, but size isn’t really what’s important here. There’s just something about hooking a vibrantly colored little native rainbow or brown or brookie out of a creek you could step across that’s good for one’s soul.

One of the most appealing aspects of fishing small streams is the inherent simplicity. No triple decker tackle boxes stocked with the latest in fish catching weaponry are needed. Just grab your rod and a handful of lures and you’re in business. Of course, you can load your box with a billion different lures if you so desire, but four basic baits will cover just about every small creek situation.

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The Toe Drain

Small Trout Stream Techniques

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