Use The Reel...
Well, actually, what I mean by that is to use your reel's drag. I like to put a trout “on the reel” as soon as I can, so that I can take advantage of the reel's drag. Whether it's an adjustable disc drag or a click/pawl drag, I find it to be an advantage when I'm on a tight line with a trout. At this point in my fly fishing life, I do this instinctively. For me, putting a trout on the reel quickly for use of the drag enhances my chance of landing a fish, big or small. And I think it's because the drag helps me to keep slack out of the line, with the right amount of tension, when managing a fish into the net. And, if you fish barbless hooks like I do, you for sure want to keep the line tight in a trout fight. Without exception, I always use a reel with an adjustable drag on large rivers with big trout. And, when I'm on small streams I'll lock in a click/pawl reel most of the time, but do use reels with disk drags too...especially on those little streams known
