3 expert tips for tackling trout in tiny streams

GEAR

Unlike a full-sized rod, which can be easy to break as you bushwhack your way to a fishing spot, an ice rod is easy to pack and portage. It also doesn’t get hung up as easily when you’re trying to get your bait to where the fish are hiding.

Sometimes, there isn’t even room to swing a full-sized fishing pole, so using a two- to three-foot ice rod could mean the difference between floating your bait perfectly under an overhang or spending an hour trying to untangle your line. A light-action ice rod is best for feeling a slight nibble from a small, wary trout, but if you only have a heavier-action rod, use a bobber or float to help identify softer strikes.