Opening of trout fishing. Everything you need to know!

There are two important moments during the year for the trout fisherman. The first is the infamous "opening" while the second is known as the "closing". The terms are very common in fishing jargon but, for those who do not know, opening means the beginning of trout fishing while closing is usually used to indicate the last day of salmonid fishing.

Trout fishing in running waters such as rivers and streams, in fact, is not open all year round: the national regulation, with some exceptions at provincial level, provides for a mandatory period of closure, which has the purpose of preserving the reproduction of fish. Fishing in stagnant waters is a separate matter, but we will not discuss them in this article.

Basic rules for the opening of trout fishing: when can you fish?

The opening is generally set for the last Sunday in February. However, there are some areas of Italy where there are some exemptions, which allow the opening in different periods. In Trentino, for example, trout fishing in the Adige river opens in some stretches as early as January 1st, while in the remaining stretches and in the main streams it is permitted to fish from the first Sunday in February, which this year is February 3rd, or from the following one.

In Basilicata, to cite another case, trout fishing also opens on February 3rd. But in other provinces and regions of Italy the opening is set for February 24, 2019. Before tackling the streams or rivers, it is therefore necessary to make sure that the regulation has not undergone changes; therefore a phone call to the fishing association or to the hunting and fishing office of the province is strongly recommended. If you were caught fishing during the prohibited period, there would be the concrete risk of a fine and even a report for poaching. Be careful!

Pay attention to the regulation for no-kill or free zones

In the vademecum of things to know for the opening of trout fishing there is room for another informative activity. From year to year, the associations that manage the various waterways could make changes in the regulations, establishing zero-take zones (no fish can be retained - they are called "no kill" zones), regulated-take zones with a catch record booklet, free zones without a catch record booklet.

Before venturing out, find out from the province or association what documents are needed in addition to the type B license, or if it is enough to just have one to fish freely. And, if it is mandatory to pay a fee for the catch record booklet or annual permit, make the payment quickly, so as to be ready for the long-awaited opening. They may seem like trivial advice but it is not uncommon to come across disoriented or improvised fishermen on the fateful day: they constitute a problem not only for fishermen in good standing but also for the police, who must necessarily carry out salty reports and intensify checks.

How do you fish during the opening?

February is one of the coldest months of the year. Even in the case of miraculously spring temperatures, the water is always cold because it comes from sources that are certainly covered in snow. Wild trout, and even those of seed, will have a behavior that is decidedly influenced by the conditions of the water. Don't expect hyperactive fish, with darts, jumps out of the water and lightning-fast starts as usually happens in summer.

In winter, during the opening, trout usually hide among the rocks and remain still, with an apathetic attitude due to their slowed metabolism. Of course, they still attack the bait, but you have to be patient and tempt them slowly, without exaggerating as you might do in spring or summer. Finally, let's not forget that, always on the opening days, it could be very cold, with snowfall in progress or just finished. The stream, therefore, should be explored during pressure drops, that is, moments in which the trout show greater appetite and aggression.

Tips for the opening of trout fishing: by touch with the adjustable rod

The main technique of the opening is touch fishing with the adjustable rod, to be carried out with natural baits such as maggots and earthworms. To practice it, you need to have a telescopic rod of at least 5 meters, with 2 or more bushings, which allows you to fish at longer distances.