River Fishing for Trout
Understanding how moving water shapes the stream channel will improve your chances of finding trout. In
most streams, the current creates a Riffle-Run-Pool pattern that repeats itself over and over. A deep pool
may hold a big Brown trout, but Rainbows and smaller Browns are likely found in Runs. Riffles are where
you will find small trout during the day and larger trout crowding in during morning and evening feeding
periods.
Riffles have a fast current and shallow water. This gives way to a bottom of gravel, rubble or boulder. Riffles
are morning and evening feeding areas. Trout usually spawn just above or below riffles, but may spawn
right in them.
Runs are deeper than riffles with a moderate current and are found between riffles and pools. The bottom is
made up of small gravel or rubble. These hot spots hold trout almost anytime, if there is sufficient cover.
Pools are smoother and look darker than the other areas of the stream. The deep, slow-moving water
generally has a bottom of silt, sand, or small gravel. Pools make good midday resting spots for medium to
large trout.
Understanding how moving water shapes the stream channel will improve your chances of finding trout. In
most streams, the current creates a Riffle-Run-Pool pattern that repeats itself over and over. A deep pool
may hold a big Brown trout, but Rainbows and smaller Browns are likely found in Runs. Riffles are where
you will find small trout during the day and larger trout crowding in during morning and evening feeding
periods.
Riffles have a fast current and shallow water. This gives way to a bottom of gravel, rubble or boulder. Riffles
are morning and evening feeding areas. Trout usually spawn just above or below riffles, but may spawn
right in them.
Runs are deeper than riffles with a moderate current and are found between riffles and pools. The bottom is
made up of small gravel or rubble. These hot spots hold trout almost anytime, if there is sufficient cover.
Pools are smoother and look darker than the other areas of the stream. The deep, slow-moving water
generally has a bottom of silt, sand, or small gravel. Pools make good midday resting spots for medium to
large trout.
