News — Trout fishing

The Rapala BMD (Black Muddler) is a legendary, discontinued lure color still highly sought after by anglers chasing big brown trout. Available on iconic models like the Rapala Countdown and Original Floater, BMD stands out for its deep contrast, visibility in stained or low-light water, and trigger-style appeal that prompts strikes from wary fish. Anglers use slow retrieves, pauses, and shadowed or deep-water spots to maximize its effectiveness. Despite being out of production, BMD remains a top choice for trophy trout due to its unique silhouette and irresistible action.

In this personal guide, I share my experience using the Rapala Countdown Elite 7.5 cm sinking lure for targeting both brown and rainbow trout. This slightly larger balsa lure offers a natural action and precise depth control, making it ideal for fishing deeper pools as well as active river sections. I walk through how I approach different conditions, adjust retrieves for each trout species, and use sink timing to stay in the strike zone longer. If you're looking to fish more intentionally and improve your results with a reliable, lifelike lure, this is one worth understanding.

The Rapala X-Light Minnow 5 cm is an ultralight fishing lure designed for precision fishing in streams and rivers. With its natural swimming action, stable performance in current, and perfect baitfish size, it is highly effective for targeting brown trout, especially in pressured waters.