How do trout fight, and why do so many come off at the net?

It depends on the trout. A rainbow — and above all a steelhead — makes long, fast runs and cartwheeling jumps; a brook trout fights in short dashes toward the nearest undercut or log; a big lake trout stays deep, slugging and rolling on the line. What they share is a relatively soft mouth and, usually, a small hook on light line, so heavy pressure simply pulls the hook out. Let a soft rod and a light, smooth drag do the work, keep the rod bent through every jump and roll — barbless hooks hold only under constant tension — and expect one last bolt when the fish sees the net. Lead it head-first over a long-handled rubber net; never chase it from behind. In warm water keep the fight as short as the tackle allows: a trout played to exhaustion may not recover.

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