TABLE OF CONTENTS:
HOW TO CATCH TROUT IN STREAMS AND RIVERS WITH LUREVO LURES
When the first mild spring days arrive and nature begins to awaken, trout anglers feel that familiar excitement building. After what feels like an eternity of closed season, we're finally counting down the days until we can say once again: It's finally time to hit the water for some trout spinning action!
This compact guide is where I want to share my experience with you—how to fish artificial lures effectively for trout in streams and small to medium-sized rivers.
We’ll take a closer look at:
- how trout behave at the beginning of the season and where to find them
- why Lurevo spinning lures are especially effective right now
- what my typical tackle setup looks like
1. TROUT LURES: HOW TO START THE SEASON RIGHT
I'm lucky to have a number of flowing waters of varying sizes nearby—many of them with solid or even excellent populations of brown trout, rainbow trout, and, in valley stretches, even some marble trout. Depending on elevation and vegetation, the official season start varies, which means I often get the chance to fish multiple "opening days" in a single year.
Maybe it’s the anticipation, or just withdrawal symptoms clouding perception, but you should never miss the first day on the water if you can help it! I’ve consistently had great results on that day. It makes sense—after months of rest during the closed season, trout haven't encountered any lures or anglers wandering the banks. I like to think their long-term memory isn't the best, so any bad experiences with deceptive prey might be forgotten or pushed aside. Depending on fishing pressure, trout can quickly relearn caution, so—as long as the weather cooperates—the opening day or first week is an absolute must for me.
Also, the larger fish we’re targeting have just come out of the exhausting spawning period, which taxes both males and females physically and hormonally. Food sources are scarce in cold water, and while fish can tolerate this due to their cold-blooded nature, they eventually need to replenish their energy stores. The time between now and the next spawn in autumn is crucial for growth and conditioning, to build reserves for another tough winter and spawning season. This is exactly why you should capitalize on the start of the trout season with spinning lures in streams and rivers!
What looked like an easy meal – even this "teenage" marble trout couldn't resist a Grim Reaper
2. THE SECRET TO SUCCESS IN SPRING: GO SLOW – GO LOW
That doesn’t mean the trout are just sitting there eagerly waiting for us to churn through the water with our lures so they can recklessly pounce on anything that moves, flashes, rattles, or vibrates. Quite the opposite—the entire metabolism and activity level of the fish is closely linked to the water temperature. Put simply: the colder the water, the more sluggish—or more accurately, energy-efficient—the fish behave. And that’s not just true for the trout we’re after, but for many other aquatic organisms that serve as prey for them. In spring, water temperatures in streams and rivers are typically just a few degrees, especially when fed by higher-altitude sources. It’s no surprise, then, that activity in the water is still running on low.
If you now start ripping your lure through the current, at best you’ll spook a few trout from their holding spots, sending them off into deeper pools or runs while they give you a parting wave with their tail fin. No fish is going to chase down your lure over any real distance. They’re holding close to the bottom and behind structure where current breaks form, because that’s where they can conserve energy. They avoid unnecessary movement and only pick off food that comes within close range. To catch fish in these conditions, you need a lure that thrives under exactly these circumstances. That’s why, when spinning for trout in small to mid-sized rivers and creeks, I like to use the Grim Reaper, the Transformer, and the Python from Lurevo. With them, I can fish deep, accurately, and slowly—not only, but especially in spring—without sacrificing the irresistible movement of the soft lure materials that make them so effective.
No wonder this Python catches so well: it perfectly mimics sculpins
3. WHY LUREVO LURES ARE SO EFFECTIVE IN SPRING
I fish with Lurevo spinning lures all year round—but especially at the start of the season, they offer some clear advantages:
- Effective at all depths: Thanks to their tungsten heads, these lures are perfect for thoroughly fishing deep pools and runs, keeping you close to the bottom at all times. With different jig head weights available, there’s a suitable option for every depth and current. The upward-facing hook point helps to minimize snagging on the bottom.
The heavy tungsten jig head gets this Transformer down fast—even in current
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Performs at any retrieve speed: As mentioned earlier, I like to retrieve my lures slowly and deliberately—especially when the water is cold and fish activity is limited. A brief twitch now and then to bounce the lure along the bottom mimics a sculpin perfectly, particularly with the Python. At prime spots like undercut banks, beside or behind larger rocks, and in riffles or similar current seams, I’ll also often let the lure sit motionless on the bottom for several seconds. With other spinning lures, this wouldn’t make much sense since they need movement to trigger bites. But Lurevo lures are made from materials that move seductively even in light current. This creates a perfect illusion of a small baitfish resting on the bottom, barely twitching. So these lures keep working—even when they’re lying still.
Just make sure that even during these pauses, you keep a tight line and maintain direct contact with the lure. Especially when you’re not sight-fishing, a slack line can mean you’ll miss the subtle “pickup” of a trout mouthing the bait—and the fish will be gone before you even realize what happened.
Later in the season, I can retrieve the same lures faster without any issues, allowing me to scan not only the bottom but also midwater for active, hunting trout. Lurevos perform brilliantly even in faster currents and at higher retrieve speeds.
You can almost see how the fine fibers of the Grim Reaper dance in the current
- Ready to fish from the first second: Another major advantage of these lure types is their instant effectiveness. Unlike spinners, spoons, or hardbaits, which need a bit of momentum to start spinning, wobbling, or diving, Lurevo lures are fishable the moment they hit the water. That’s a huge plus when fishing structured waters with complex current like the creeks and small to mid-sized rivers mentioned above. With their compact casting profile, I can deliver these lures with pinpoint accuracy—right to where the trout are holding.
The soft Dragon Tail and silicone fringes provide maximum movement
TIP: The best fish often hold—though not always!—on the far bank.
Here’s a little tip from me: when you get to the water, you’ll instinctively focus on the most promising features—often overlooking the great holding spots right at your feet. Especially in spring, I frequently spot large trout holding tight to the near bank in just ankle- or knee-deep water. If you charge straight to the edge to cast toward the far bank or the eddy behind the mid-river boulder, you’ll spook those fish instantly (trust me, I’ve done it plenty of times). So take it slow, stay stealthy as you approach the water, and make your first casts along your own bank—keeping a bit of distance.
4. FEEDING OR DEFENDING – EITHER WAY, THE TROUT STRIKES
Thanks to the unique qualities of the Lurevos, it’s easy for me to systematically fish structure like submerged trees, boulders, or undercut banks—inch by inch—and present the lure as enticingly as possible to draw trout out from their hiding spots and trigger a strike. But not every strike is driven by hunger. Trout often react out of instinct when they feel their territory is being invaded or disturbed. As territorial fish, they defend their holding lies—sometimes quite aggressively—against intruders or rivals. A mock charge might come first, but if the “cheeky visitor” doesn’t back off, a bite might follow. And it’s not necessarily because they want to eat—it’s just about asserting dominance. As in many natural systems, the biggest and strongest fish claim the best spots.
Those prime lies offer a combination of shelter, a safe retreat in case of danger, low current (to save energy), and a steady food supply drifting by with minimal effort.
White-red … bold colors meant to provoke rather than imitate natural prey
The lifelike action of Lurevo lures makes them perfect for presenting directly in front of suspected or known trout lies. You can hold them in the strike zone for a while, and they’ll continue to move seductively in the current or with the slightest twitch. This often triggers a reaction bite from a trout that isn’t necessarily hungry—but just wants to chase the intruder out of its territory.
TIP: Convert short strikes into solid hook-ups
When trout are actively feeding, they typically strike the front part of the lure from the side—ideal for a clean hook-up with the jig hook. But when a trout is defending its lie, it might follow the lure and deliver one or more warning bumps—biting at the tail rather than the head. In these cases, a second hook might be necessary, especially with longer lures where the jig hook sits far forward.
That’s why our Grim Reaper models include a microring tied with braided line to which you can attach a second hook positioned further back. Why braided? Simple—mono, fluoro, hard mono, or titanium would stiffen the soft rabbit fur tail (zonker strip) and compromise the lure’s action. Just attach a single or treble hook with a split ring or snap, then pierce it through the tail end of the fur to avoid tangles. That way, you’ll land those trout that strike short.
This beautiful brown trout couldn’t resist a bold chartreuse pattern either
5. HERE’S WHAT MY TACKLE SETUP LOOKS LIKE
I’ve hopefully given you a clear picture of which trout lures I use early in the season in creeks and small to medium-sized rivers—and how I fish them effectively. When it comes to my gear setup, things are a lot less dramatic. The good news: you probably already have the right spinning rod and reel at home.
5.1. MY SPINNING ROD FOR TROUT FISHING WITH ARTIFICIAL LURES
Personally, I prefer a slightly stiffer rod for this style of fishing. It doesn’t have to be a rigid vertical jigging stick—a progressive action works better for me, especially when fighting fish, where you want solid control but enough pressure to steer them away from snags. When fishing Lurevo jigs, I also like a rod that’s a bit longer. In small creeks I’d usually grab a compact 1.80m rod, but for Lurevo jigs I prefer something in the 2.00 to 2.10m range. That extra reach helps guide the lure more precisely around structure and gives me a better angle to feel the lure. On wider rivers—say 20–25 meters across—I’ll go for a 2.40m spinning rod.
5.2. THE IDEAL SPINNING REEL FOR THIS KIND OF FISHING
When it comes to reels, I have just one requirement for trout fishing: it has to work smoothly and reliably. On small or structured waters, your retrieve won’t always be perfectly steady—but the line should still lay evenly to avoid tangles. A miscast that lands too short and hits a rock is annoying enough—I don’t need a line tangle on top of that. A drag that runs smoothly and kicks in gently should be a given. A 2000-size reel is ideal for the waters I fish.
Chances are, you already have the right gear for fishing Lurevo jigs
5.3. WHY I USE BRAIDED LINE FOR TROUT
For this type of fishing, the line is even more important to me than the reel. These days I prefer thin braided line because it gives me better sensitivity. I feel every contact with the bottom and every subtle tap from a fish. The shock-absorbing effect of mono doesn’t really matter much on the short distances I’m casting. I also don’t fish ultra-light—especially when the water has a lot of structure and snags both above and below the surface.
For the leader, I use fluorocarbon that’s just long enough so the knot doesn’t pass through the tip ring on every cast. I adjust strength and diameter based on the water, the risk of snags, and expected fish size. I won’t make a one-size-fits-all recommendation here—conditions vary too much.
As for leader-to-lure connection, I’ll admit I’m pretty pragmatic—I just use a fine-wire snap. So far, I haven’t seen any reduction in lure action or fish shyness. But of course, you can also tie your Lurevos directly to the leader—especially if you have a favorite pattern. Try using the Perfection Loop for that—there’s a version that creates a small loop even with larger lures. I might do a write-up on that knot in the future.
This rainbow trout couldn’t resist a slowly retrieved, deep-running Lurevo lure
6. THE TROUT ARE WAITING
That wraps up my little guide to trout spinning in small and mid-sized flowing waters—especially at the start of the season. I hope I could give you some insights into how I use the Lurevo jigs effectively. Give it a try yourself, grab a few of these proven lures, and hit the water … the trout are already waiting for you! 😊
