If April is the time to explore the edges and fish the shallows, May is when we prospect for trout far and wide. Trout are on the prowl, less selective than they will be in the summer months and easier to reach, too, with a variety of methods. In May, we can fish all day long.
Daylight hours are longer now, and long casts and light lines are the order of the day. A 7- to 8-foot spinning rod rated for 4- to 8-pound test is a finesse weapon for rainbows. Top up the spool with fresh mono (lighter line casts farther) and finish with a 3- or 4-pound-test leader, the length of which will vary based on water clarity, the size of the fish you are targeting and other factors. Connect the leader (mono or fluorocarbon) with a blood knot, which will slip
