Early in the morning and late at night....(Like 4AM and 11pm)

2-4 lbs test line (something thats next to invisible)

Size 16-18 treble hook

1 bb sized split shot about 14" from the hook.

Sparkling chartreuse power bait rolled into a tiny ball, just enough to cover the hook.

Stand off to the side and upstream, drop it in and let it float past him. If he doesnt hit it on the way downstream, slowly SLOWLY drag it back upstream. Rainbow trout almost ALWAYS hit a lure or bait going slowly upstream.

Big browns are more likely to hit lures going across the pools (bank to bank), whereas the rainbows hit the lures going upstream.

Ive caught three rainbows this year that were over 19" using the above methods...none as thick as a football, but one was a pretty good brute.

Last year I caught about 130 trout using the method and so far this year I have 52. If I spent more time fishing and less time hunting and working...Id probably get close to my friends catch....last year he got over 300 trout. I catch and release, and Im hoping you do the same with this brute. Just dont forget your camera. Or no one will believe you! hehehe

Oh and another thing is, dont let the fish see you, and dont disturb the streambed when wading in. You have to be a LOT more stealthy when it comes to catching the big trout. If hes a holdover, he is no dummy. Stay low, stay quiet, pretend you are stalking a big buck.

Good luck, and I hope you post pics when you catch him!---Matt