Across the country, many angling opportunities, whether by species, technique, or fishery, go overlooked, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth fishing. One technique often overshadowed by trophy trout streams and the idea of an epic dry fly hatch is blue line fishing. The term blue line comes from the small blue lines you see on a map, indicating headwater streams. Don’t let their size fool you, though; these streams can offer excellent angling opportunities, secluded waters, and eager fish if you’re willing to put in a little work. Follow along as we explore how to find and fish blue line streams with TroutRoutes.
Finding the Right Water
The first step to blue lining is finding headwater streams that hold trout. This is where TroutRoutes can dramatically cut down the time it takes to find likely candidates. Since TroutRoutes is focused on trout fishing, all rivers, streams, and creeks on the app are considered designated trout waters. Therefore, if you see a stream on TroutRoutes, you can be sure there are trout present.
The next step is finding streams that would be considered blue line waters. To do this, utilize your map filters in the TroutRoutes app and filter for Class 2 and Class 3 streams only. This will filter out the larger trophy trout rivers and display the first-order streams, or small headwater streams. From there, you can view Stream Cards and learn more about each waterbody before picking one to choose. In addition, you can utilize species filters to sort for your target species. For instance, the Blue Ridge Mountains are known for their blue line brook trout waters. Setting a filter for just brookies will help narrow down likely streams to target.
Stay The Path
After finding a likely blue line stream candidate, it’s time to wader up and head for the water. Since many blue line streams are off the beaten path and oftentimes out of cell service, TroutRoutes can be a great reference when navigating. Its offline maps, paired with up-to-date satellite imagery, allow users to download specific areas prior to fishing. Once you lose service, you can continue to reference these offline maps as well as a pin showing your location. When exploring new areas, this is a must to make it to your destination, especially when there’s no trailhead.
It’s also worth noting that TroutRoutes gives you the ability to drop pins for areas of interest. You can mark access points, specific holes, and even add lines for a track you plan to take. Using these tools effectively will help you stay the course and make sure you reach your target blue line stream.
Keep Exploring
TroutRoutes is a useful tool for sorting through and finding likely blue line streams to fish. However, nothing beats time on the water. The best way to find your own secret blue line paradise is to get out of the house, cover some ground, and fish. When it comes to blue line waters, not every stream will have fish or the number you are looking for. Also, don’t be discouraged if you don’t find fish right away on a stream. Sometimes you have to explore upstream or downstream, as not every stretch of a creek will hold fish. The good news is that once you find fish, they are almost always eager to eat. Just make sure your approach is stealthy, as these small creeks make it easy to spook fish.
A Final Word on Blue Lining
A quick glance at a map reveals an endless number of blue line streams for anglers to explore. Yet, despite their availability, they are one of the most overlooked waterbodies by trout anglers. But with a little research and time spent exploring, you’ll find hungry trout, secluded waters, and cold-water refuges even during the hottest parts of the year. So try your own luck and explore some blue line streams this season.
