Rainbow Darter! (Backbone State Park Micro Fishing Part 2)

It took a lot of work micro fishing, but I finally caught a Rainbow Darter, probably Iowa's most beautiful fish. Vivian also caught a new species in this video, a Blacknose Dace, and Heather landed a couple Rainbow Trout. I started off using a new Tenago hook rig, but it wasn't working very well so I switched to a size 30 fly-fishing hook, and after several attempts I finally landed the target species. This was species number 37 and Vivian's dace was number 29 for her.

[@EBspeciesfishing]

Congrats on the rainbow! Those things are so pretty. I still need to get one, only have the orangethroat currently. And yeah, it is definitely worth it's weight in gold to get those things presnelled.

[@teamcramerfishing8441]

If you come to Iowa I know where to find them :) We have another really pretty one called the Iowa Darter, I need to try for now.

[@AnticipateTheBite]

Very intrigued by that fish, super cool!

[@teamcramerfishing8441]

It's a very different kind of fishing, but I think you'd like it. It requires patience and a little Zen.

[@FrankJamger]

Nice clear water.

[@teamcramerfishing8441]

This stream is amazing. We found it last year while exploring. A little farther downstream is surrounded by limestone bluffs on both sides. It's really cool.

[@HighEndTroutFishing]

that is beautiful bow ! great fishing friend ~

[@teamcramerfishing8441]

Thanks! It was even more beautiful than I expected!

[@N2RI1]

Missouri has these under different name Niangua Darter for river 1st found its endangered. I snagged one reeling in lure and it was a fight. took me couple years to learn what it was long ago. i use Zebco Micro reels vintage made in USA like 113, 144 etc on telescopic rods mostly 4lbs mono

[@teamcramerfishing8441]

There are are several darters with similar patterns like this. The Niangua is very rare, and as you say, endangered. It gets quite a bit bigger than the Rainbow.

[@leyenda6149]

I just got farm-raised juvenile rainbow darters (about 2" long). My research says to feed them freeze-dried bloodworms, but I'm not convinced that is the best choice. Any suggestions you can give would be great! Thank you!

[@teamcramerfishing8441]

I'm not sure. That sounds like a reasonable food. I let mine go so I don't have any in my aquarium.

[@amerhussain8359]

I don't know why but I tried purchasing those hooks last time but it was so costly even now it didn't drop😑

[@nickbailey5201]

They look similar to a goby kind of

[@jameandthegiantpeach2273]

...just scoop it up with a net big bro

[@DMike54]

What are those little balls you were using for bait?

[@teamcramerfishing8441]

The ball you see is probably the split shot. I was using a very tiny piece of red worm for bait.

[@xisotopex]

how often do you lose hooks in larger species, or have hooked micro species injured or killed? they are tiny, it is difficult to handle with any type of gentle handling.

[@teamcramerfishing8441]

When going for really tiny species like this, it's pretty rare to catch a larger species. In terms of handling, it's going to vary from species to species in terms of their hardiness. My experience is that chubs are usually pretty hardy while shiners are more sensitive. I try my best to use best practices to protect the fish, but there is always a chance they could be killed. I wouldn't target rare microspecies. Most microspecies are very abundant in a given area and often they are used as baitfish by other anglers. The challenge is locating them and actually getting them to bite.
That said, if targeting slightly larger fish, say 3 inches or more with a size 20 hook for bigger, you can catch all kinds of species of fish. Size 20 with half of a small worm can catch pretty darn big fish along with the small ones. But a size 30 and sliver of worm usually isn't enough to catch bigger fish.

[@xisotopex]

@@teamcramerfishing8441 I was thinking of a larger fishing taking such a small hook and swallowing it. do you use barbless hooks?

[@teamcramerfishing8441]

@@xisotopex The size 30s are barbless, but the size 20s have barbs. 30s are very hard to catch large fish with, partly because of the hook size, they will simply tear out, but also because I throw them with 2lb line. Maybe a person could get away with 4 lb line, but that would be max for size 30. For size 20 you can go up to 6 lb line, and catch some really decent fish if you know how to play them. And there is no need for the fish to swallow with a size 20. As long as you have a good set-up with lots of flex, and you have a net to land the fish, you would be very surprised at the size fish you can catch.

[@xisotopex]

@@teamcramerfishing8441 I might have to give it a try, would love to do a local species tank, those rainbow darters are beautiful