One of the many challenges for new and experienced anglers alike is figuring out where to fish and when. For some of us, our favorite rivers may be a day’s trip away, and there’s nothing worse than showing up only to find the river is in an unfishable state. That’s where mapping tools like TroutRoutes come into play. When used correctly, TroutRoutes can help you find new water, monitor your favorite rivers, and figure out when the conditions are just right for an epic day on the water. In this guide to get the most out of TroutRoutes, we’ll explore five common tools and how to best use them to make the most out of your time fishing.
1. Stream Classification
If you’re a beginner trout angler or want to try out a new area, one of the easiest ways to find good water is through gold medal or blue ribbon waters. While these classifications vary by state, they are all a standard set for excellent trout water. For instance, Colorado’s Gold Medal rivers must have at least 60 pounds per acre of trout and produce an average of at least 12 “quality trout”. Trout Routes stream classification layers allow users to easily find water that meets these criteria across different states and fisheries.
The stream classification layers can also be used to filter between class 1, 2, and 3 streams. In general, the higher the stream class, the smaller the waterbody. Class 1 and class 2 are typically small blue line headwater streams, while class 1 are bigger waterways. Depending on what you prefer to fish or particular species you are looking for, this is a helpful tool to narrow down potential streams.
2. Satellite Imagery
Another useful feature for those looking to explore new rivers is TroutRoutes satellite imagery. This tool is powered by its parent company, onX Maps, delivering updated and detailed satellite imagery for any stream or river. Satellite imagery lets you e-scout new water before fishing, mark likely holes, or pin interesting spots while you’re on the water. When used effectively, the satellite layers can open up new water, access paths, and identify likely put-ins or take-outs for raft anglers.
3. Stream Cards
One of the most useful features in TroutRoutes is its dedicated Stream Cards for every river or stream. To use this, simply click on a river you want to fish and wait for the Stream Card to load. Within the card, users will find a description of the river, including key characteristics and any special regulations. In addition, the cards load local fly shops, real-time conditions, and stream access laws. There’s also a place to record notes and add pictures, allowing the Stream Card to double as a journal. As you fish places over the years, this helps identify the best conditions and time of year to develop a consistent pattern.
4. Offline Maps
Another handy feature that TroutRoutes users benefit from is the ability to navigate even without cell service. This is made possible with the use of TroutRoutes offline maps. Prior to heading out on trips, users can download specific regions or areas within TroutRoutes that can be referenced without service. These layers include key details like private/public access, rivers within the downloaded area, and boat ramps or parking areas. Even when you’re offline, you can still see your live location on the map, so you can navigate new rivers and find your way back to the truck after a long day of fishing.
5. Stream Gauges
The last feature we’ll hit on, and arguably one of the most important, is the TroutRoutes stream gauge feature. It can be found within the Stream Cards and displays live stream gauge data. The data is pulled directly from the USGS site and gauges, displaying flow rate in CFS, gauge height in feet, and water temp when available. TroutRoutes will also display all the gauges for a given river.
Any angler who has fished long enough knows that conditions like river height, flow, and temperature are key for a good day fishing. Now, prior to making a trip to your favorite stream, you can monitor its conditions and get an idea of how it will fish, all in one place. With multiple available gauges per river, you can also tell whether one section may be better than another, given the weather.
Final Thoughts
TroutRoutes can’t make you a better angler, but it can give you the tools to set you up for success. From finding new water to dialing in the best time to fish your favorite stream, its features are designed to make access as simple as possible. And while much of the information can be found by scouring the web, TroutRoutes brings users a simple interface, with all data congregated in one place.
