No doubt, you can float around on any fishery for any species, but the truth of the matter is that launching a belly boat on rainbow trout waters is a special experience.

Gazing across the mirror-like surface, I was struck by the awesome splendor of a vibrant sunset. The subtle slurping of water lapping against my float tube provided a background rhythm for songbirds that were sounding off in the waning hours of daylight.

Fly rod in hand, I gradually stripped line until the bead head nymph was deemed to be the perfect distance away. I laid the fly on the water and was lulled into a euphoric stupor, when my peaceful lounging was suddenly interrupted by an explosive tug at the end of my line. Jolted out of my catatonic trance, instinct lead to an immediate raise of the hand for the hookset. This in turn, resulted in a spectacular fight of man against fish. With line peeling from my reel, I held on with all of my might. Putting on a dazzling display, the colorful rainbow leapt from the deep, splashing in a whole-hearted attempt to lose its captor. Tempted by an easy meal, this eager rainbow had been duped by a sinking fly trolled just 12 inches below the surface.

Palming the reel, line spooled out at lightning speed. Finally, after allowing the trout to put in his best effort, it was my turn; pump and reel, pump and reel. In obvious disagreement, the rainbow on the other end displayed a valiant attempt to escape. He was no match for my sharp hook, high-tech fly rod and immeasurable patience. Some minutes later, I reached back for my net and scooped the colorful trout from the water. Staring in admiration, I took a brief moment to admire my catch and then gently dislodged the hook from the roof of the fish's mouth. Wetting my hands, I then gingerly cupped the trout in both hands, and lowered it back into the water. With little coaxing and a flip of the tail fin, he darted to the depths from whence he'd come. Truly magnificent!

"Right on!" I blurted in a semi-loud expression of excitement. "It's about time, I was beginning to think the trout were asleep", I said to my fishing partner, Don Eliason, "I know I nearly was!"

In the hour or so of remaining light, he and I managed to hook into several other rainbows. Grinning from ear to ear, as darkness ensued, we beached our belly-boats and headed for home.

Successful management
Thanks to persistent introduction, stocking, and management programs throughout western Canada, most locales have bragging rights to any number of high quality trout fisheries. Resilient by nature, Oncorhynchus mykiss is considered to be a perfect species, by many admirers. In my humble opinion, these tenacious fighters are the perfect freshwater sport fish. With their dazzling aerial maneuvers, even the smallest of trout can bring sheer joy to any angler with rod in hand. From a put-and-take perspective, fisheries biologists admit they are relatively easy to rear both inside and outside of the hatchery. Compared to many other freshwater species, these salmonids survive well in hatcheries and are very economical to raise.

In Canada, rainbows are native only to a limited number of Pacific coastal rivers and a couple of inland drainages. Aside from the sea-run populations (of which larger specimens are more commonly referred to as "steelhead") which spawn in freshwater then migrate to live their days in saltwater, only a few river systems are known to support indigenous populations. These include the Peace and Liard Rivers in British Columbia and the Athabasca River in Alberta.

This said, rainbow trout are the most widely distributed of all freshwater trout in Canada. Management and introduction programs have been hugely successful and offer thousands of anglers outstanding outdoor experiences every year.

Aside from the more familiar flowing waterways, today rainbow trout are commonly sought after in a good percentage of our high country lakes, private ponds, pothole lakes and reservoirs. For the belly-boating enthusiast, these variable fisheries make for accessible quarry and provide outstanding platforms for floating anglers.

Catching 'Bows'
Whether you prefer fly-fishing gear or spinning tackle, before launching your float tube there are a few things you may find useful. First off, rainbow trout are cold blooded and thrive in cooler waters. For this reason, early spring months and mid-fall months can be the best times to fish rainbows. That said, the bite can be strong throughout the year, but I've found these to be outstanding times to be on the open water.

Optimal conditions equate to water temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius, or 52 on the Fahrenheit scale. Combine cooler water with excellent aeration, structure such as rocks, sunken logs, weeds and other variances in cover within the littoral zone (one to eight meters in depth) and you've found near optimal conditions for rainbow trout. Anglers drifting or finning their way along the shoreline in this magical trout-producing zone will pick up consistent catches.

Now that's not to say trout won't be found throughout the body of water or at different stratas within the water column, but when it comes to pinpointing higher densities, it's always smart to target food sources in areas where fish congregate. Trout feed heavily on a broad range of insects, leeches, crustaceans, molluscs and even baitfish. Shallower aquatic habitat containing any or a variety of the aforementioned structure most often hosts the organisms making up much of the trout's diet. Stonefly and dragonfly nymphs, freshwater shrimp, snails, and back-swimmers are just a few of the key components to a rainbow trout's diet, especially in pothole lakes and ponds.

With a trout's diet in mind, many belly-boaters prefer to use fly-fishing gear. For one thing, drifting or moving under the propulsion of kicking fins, provides the optimal trolling speed for rainbow trout. Combine this with a reasonable facsimile nymph or streamer trailing approximately 40 to 60 feet behind the float tube, and chances are you're in for some fast-paced action! While you have moved through the 'fish zone' just moments before, the nymph appearing to be moving under its own speed, will be too tempting to pass up.

Yes, you can choose from many different fly patterns, and anglers should always keep a good inventory ranging from size 6 - 18 in their boxes. For rainbows, I favor Prince Nymph and Hare's ear patterns - most often in weighted bead head varieties; Montana's - usually in a lighter green color; streamers such as a Woolly Bugger in green, black, brown and purple; and my all-time favorite - the Doc Spratley in red, black or green. Given that these are all 'wet' patterns that run below the surface, the depth at which you want to present them is a critical variable.

Depending on the body of water, whether or not the fish are feeding on the surface (i.e., morning, mid-day, or evening) and the overall depth of the water you're working, you'll want to select line accordingly. A variety of sinking fly lines are available on the market today, and the choice is dictated by personal preference. I have a variety of slow and fast sinking lines, but in most instances where I'm trying to present the fly within a meter of the bottom, and I'm fishing that all-important littoral zone, I use a medium speed sinking line.

If fish are rising to take insects off the surface, matching the hatch will produce the best results. Otherwise, a variety of floating patterns can work well. Some of my favorites include Elk Hair Caddis, Adams, Humpy, Royal Coachman, and attractor patterns such as the Stimulator and Hopper. These can be cast from a stationary position or trolled very slowly. If fish are rising, I often like to just float and cast to the rise from a stationary position. It's exhilarating to watch rainbows take the fly from the surface!

For anglers preferring spinning gear, a variety of hardware will serve your purpose. From Len Thompson's Five of Diamonds in yellow and red, to Panther Martin and Mepps spinner baits, and even some of Rapala's crank baits provide an active presentation to trout. Each designed with a specific wobbling or flashing action that mimics bait fish, these lures can catch rainbows under a variety of conditions. Size and colors are largely dependent on the potential of the lake or pond, but as a rule, I like to stay with smaller lures for smaller fish. Later, I may increase the size, depending on the fish I'm targeting. I've used spinning tackle from belly-boats periodically, but in my opinion, float tubes are more suited to fly-fishing.

Regardless of rod, reel and fly/lure choice, whether you're trolling or stationary, there are a few tricks you may want to employ to encourage trout to strike. It's easy to simply throw out your line and let it trail behind you, and if the fish are in a positive feeding mood, that can work just fine. If on the other hand, the bite is slow, you may want to try slowing down your trolling speed, stripping line in and out in a subtle jerking motion, or adding split shot to get your presentation down deeper. If surface pools are visible, that indicates surface feeding activity. Savvy anglers will adapt their presentation to those conditions.

Fly-fishers will even opt to use floating line to present the fly on or just below the surface. The key is to be flexible and try as many different strategies as necessary to determine where the fish are and what they want.

Most float tubers don't like rough water; it's too much work to be bobbing about when there is anything more than a slight breeze. If however, you are faced with breezy conditions, especially during the mid-day hours, I recommend starting your search down low, usually within 3 feet of the bottom. Once you get a strike, try to repeat that presentation, recalling the depth, trolling and retrieving speed, and fly/lure used. That strike is probably indicative of what the fish want. Repetition should put more fish on the end of your line.

Whenever I approach unfamiliar water, I like to first take a look at a hydrographic map. This valuable tool shows the relative variations in the bottom of the lake and, with a little practice you can pick out likely fish holding structure. While not always consistent, I've found areas near beaver lodges, bays, troughs, weedlines and rocky shoals to produce well for rainbows. If nothing else, they're a good place to begin your search.

Getting started
Many of us are already set up. For those who haven't yet tried belly-boating, I strongly encourage you to do so. For a small monetary investment you can experience a new and exciting form of angling. Float tubes range in price from $40 to around $400 for higher end boats.

Aside from the tube, you'll need a pair of neoprene or breathable waders and fins. Optional but recommended is a pair of wading boots, and then your rods, reels, line and tackle.

Belly-boating is a bit of a paradox. It's relaxing, but a good workout all the same. If you don't mind expending a bit of energy, it's a great way to get out on the water. And let me tell you, fighting a fish from ground zero is a spectacular experience!

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