These four are riffles, runs, pools and flats. Riffles When I walk up to a trout stream on a typical spring, summer or fall day, I know I can utilize riffles to target trout. Riffles are the shallow but semi-swift rocky water areas before bigger, faster and deeper runs. Riffles can range from inches to about 2 feet of depth and can be as long as a football field or as short as an end zone. Riffles are key areas for emerging bugs on a trout stream.
This happens into the summer and the fall until winter comes and forces trout into deeper water. When fishing shallow riffles, look for pockets formed by slightly larger rocks a trout might be sitting behind for cover or when waiting to intercept drifting bugs.
This is an extremely effective method. Riffles can be packed with trout during periods of bug emergence. Often, you can actually find trout feeding off the surface in riffles. This means the hatch of bugs is about to be explosive. Runs Runs are perhaps some of my favorite pieces of water to fish on any stream. Trout seek out runs because they have the characteristics to meet all of their needs: food, oxygen, cover and protection.
Runs are also the areas of a trout stream that typically come after a shallow riffle. They drop in depth from only a couple feet to several additional feet. They are the fastest part of a stream, and due to their speed and depth, trout absolutely love them. Their depth allows for great cover from predators, while at the same time providing plenty of oxygen and being a constant food funnel due to the current. Similar to riffles, runs hold fish throughout the spring, summer and fall.
However, I seem to utilize them most during summer when I know trout are seeking out the most oxygen-packed parts of a stream. During the warm summer months, when water temps begin to rise, fish will key in on these areas as well as pockets to get that extra bit of oxygen they need. Runs are also key holding lies all year for some of the largest trout because all their needs are met. With two of these heavy flies combined, you have a much better chance at charging the bottom and getting right in the face of a trout.
Pools form once a run tapers off and drops even more in depth. Even on smaller trout streams, pools can range from several feet of water or more. In creeks and brooks, trout hold and wait in a pool, grabbing food as it drifts past.
In bigger streams and rivers, trout often cruise pools in a hunt for food. Patience is a virtue when fishing any pool. That's because trout in pools aren't always actively feeding; there are better places to get a meal.
But the fish are there. You just have to take your time and work the territory thoroughly. Stream trout often hide in pools just below riffles which can be great nesting areas for many crustaceans and minnows.
Fish a pool from the side, casting upstream and across, letting the current carry your bait or fly through and swing past you. With bait or flies, work the close water first, then move a little farther out with each drift so you don't spook nearby trout. Cast a spinner, spoon or minnow bait upstream in a similar fashion, then work it back. Always fish a pool's head — the faster water — thoroughly. That is where the most active trout will be.
Work the eddies to the sides of the incoming flow. Don't ignore a pool's tail end, where the water slows but may be deepest. Trout love the overhead cover an undercut bank provides, because most predators attack from above.
Couple that security with moving water and you have a prime trout hold. Undercuts also are great because what hides the trout from predators also hides you as you approach to fish.
To fish an undercut, position yourself across the stream from it not right on top of it, where you would spook the fish. Cast upstream and let the current sweep your bait or fly in and under the bank, making sure it goes deep enough. Bounce a little spinner or spoon along with the current, letting it flutter and flash to entice hiding trout to dart out and hit. Some streams — mostly mountain or hill-country creeks — never slow down.
They tumble, drop and hurry, always in a rush but never really resting. One of the best trout spots in this situation is a big rock or boulder right in the streambed. The water may rush around or right over the top. Either way, the obstruction protects trout from the current, and provides a holding spot where the fish can watch for food. Trout can't resist a 2- to 3-inch minnow hooked through the lip or just ahead of the tail on a size 6 or 8 hook.
It's natural to fish behind the boulder. Trout do rest there, but they often face downstream because eddies carry food around and back toward the rock. An even better spot may be in front of the boulder.
As water rushes up, a pocket of slack water is created before the flow careens off to either side. This is where the actively feeding trout will be.
Fast freestone streams offer little classic trout water, so you have to look for fish in "micro" pockets. A rock mentioned previously is one such hold. Another is an eddy — a backwash created below rapids, behind chutes and to the sides of fast flows.
Here the current "backs up" instead of flowing downstream. Food accumulates, and trout can hold position relatively easily.
To fish an eddy, cast above the backwash and let the current carry your live bait, fly or hardware naturally into the whirlpool. This requires some finesse, so try several drifts before moving on. Dropping bait or hardware directly into an eddy will spook the fish, and a wet fly, streamer or nymph fished like that won't get down to where it needs to be.
The simplest way to nymph could be to tight line your fly using a long rod like a tenkara rod. You will have precise control over your fly and can position it exactly where you want it. Alternatively, you can still get the benefits of an indicator without using a heavy plastic one.
Two of the most effective approaches are a dry-dropper rig and using a less conspicuous indicator. My preferred method is the dry-dropper approach. As long as you can keep your dry fly floating well, it will be a very effective and sensitive indicator. The obvious benefit here is that the fish can choose to take the dry in addition to the nymph, upping your chances of getting a strike. The downside is that if your dry gets waterlogged, it can be annoying to constantly be drying it off.
You can also just use a discreet indicator. There are several options available. Two popular choices are yarn and foam. Yarn is very lightweight and sensitive, making it perfect for small streams. The type of rig you choose will ultimately be based on personal preference. One of the hardest big-water habits to break when you are fishing small streams is the strong hook set. The goal is to pull the fly just enough to set the hook, but not hard enough to lift the fish out of the water.
Before you begin casting, tell yourself not to overset the hook. Just having a game plan in place can make a world of difference.
Practice on streams with small fish. Fish in narrow creeks are always on high alert. Without the protection of deep runs and fast water, trout are left much more vulnerable.
This means that anyone approaching from upstream will quickly be spotted. A really well-written article, Katie. I found your information useful and encouraging.
Thank you! Thanks for reading, Ranjan! Definitely never too late to get back into it. Great article. Once wading becomes a challenge, the small stream seems to be the answer. Getting rid of the waders is a definite plus for us older guys with a limited time bladder…much easier to get relief. Thanks for reading, Doug! So much easier to find some peace and quiet on a small, remote stream.
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Skip to content. Katie Burgert May 27, 12 Comments. These 11 tips will help you maximize your time on small, backcountry streams. An example of cascading pockets. Blue arrows show possible trout hideouts along the bank. Tenkara is perfect for small pocket water. A sheet of stick-on foam fly fishing indicators. Katie Burgert 21 Jul Reply. Bruce 24 Feb Reply. Great article — thanks. Katie Burgert 24 Feb Reply. Thanks for reading, Bruce!
Desert Doug 23 Apr Reply. Katie Burgert 24 Apr Reply. Arthur Strauss 1 Jun Reply. Nicely done — very practical advice with useful diagrams. Guy Bill 11 Jul Reply.
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