Pennsylvania is big on its Spring, Fall, and Winter trout stocking program. Happy fishermen abound around small lakes and streams for the "put and take" action, but quickly deplete the supply. However, specified sections of some streams are designated as lure- only ,catch and release areas; these spots quickly educate the larger trout that are placed into them and are a most enjoyable, pure angling challenge!

    Fortunately a prominent catch -n-release section is 5 minutes from my house, offering many opportunities for lure "testing" (I tell my wife this is my "job" and responsibility!!).But, man, these trout are wary and tough! The fly guys, especially, pound them relentlessly with every carefully conceived natural tie they can muster. Yet the bespeckled bruisers have apparently learned what is REAL stream fodder and that which is mere fur or feathers.

    Admittedly, I have ,in the past, experienced very limited success in the large, first, most popular pool where I do my "testing". So it was a revelation to find one of my initial efforts with the tiny Fish-N-Spin was met with instant pops on a slow steady retrieve! They seemed to love the natural perfect minnow -like look of the smoke sparkle tube and the minute flash of the tiny overhead blade. Perhaps the slight shimmy transmitted from the willow blade to the teasing tentacles spelled the big difference in takers or maybe the "just right" bite sized offering encouraged ravenous (for this tough area) feeding.

    The tough ,bright days? Well I've found the same slow steady retrieve for distances of only a few feet, then a drop all the way to bottom generated good results. This is tricky, though-on the proper drop with a slight slack in the line for freedom of the Fish-N-Spin to seek its own unique "knuckleball" type glide, a take can be hard to detect. Trout seem to just slurp in the delectable looking jig with almost no hint of their actions. Maybe a line tick, usually not. So, whenever I see the line limp- out, USUALLY indicating bottom has been reached, I begin a quick retreive to jettison off bottom once more. Many times, this "bottom" swims off, firmly attached to the small ,sharp hook of this amazing bait!

    Catch and release trouting is a most enjoyable way to put in a few hard to find spare hours. But the first word ,"CATCH" becomes al important! When a wary trout has seen everything and is extremely cautious from being stung too many times, break out the awesome drawing power of a Fish-N-Spin!