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Chapter Seven: Finding Trout

Finding brook, brown, and rainbow trout in streams and creeks

Finding Trout Chapter 7 - Advanced Fly Fishing How To Videos From Orvis

Trout are not found everywhere in a river, especially when they are feeding. Learn how to narrow down the possibilities to predict where trout are most likely to be found, whether you’re fishing a giant river or a tiny mountain stream. You’ll learn how these places change daily, and with seasonal changes—and where trout go during high water. How important is cover and shade? Are brook, brown, cutthroat, and rainbow trout found in different places? What is the difference between a freestone stream, tailwater, spring creek, or limestone stream? And where are trout found in each one of those environments? You’ll learn all those things and more in this chapter.

Watch the entire chapter, or select segments below:

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  1. 1. The best we can do is guess.

    0:46

  2. 2. When you don’t need to read the water.

    0:35

  3. 3. When and where trout are just tough to catch.

    1:21

  4. 4. Why bother learning to read the water.

    0:32

  5. 5. The most important clues to finding trout.

    3:44

  6. 6. How important is cover.

    1:39

  7. 7. The basics of hydraulics.

    3:03

  8. 8. The importance of seams.

    0:21

  9. 9. Where to find trout around rocks.

    2:06

  10. 10. How to fish bends in a river.

    2:56

  11. 11. Where to find trout in the heads of pools.

    2:49

  12. 12. Where to find trout in the middle of a pool.

    2:46

  13. 13. Where to find trout in the tail of a pool.

    2:06

  14. 14. Where to find trout in pocket water.

    2:30

  15. 15. How to eliminate unproductive water.

    1:12

  16. 16. How trout move during the day.

    1:15

  17. 17. How trout move during the season.

    3:24

  18. 18. Using your own observations to find trout.

    1:14

  19. 19. Things change in the fall.

    1:40

  20. 20. How to fish high and dirty water.

    2:14

  21. 21. The difference in trout species.

    7:53

  22. 22. How to fish freestone streams.

    2:36

  23. 23. How to fish limestone streams.

    1:37

  24. 24. How to fish spring creeks.

    1:31

  25. 25. How to fish tailwaters.

    2:02

  26. 26. Final thoughts on reading the water.

    2:07

Orvis Fishing Reports

The most complete report of fly fishing conditions in North America!

Our professional reports are updated weekly with stream and river flows, tides, recommended flies and equipment, and special fishing tips for the most important fly-fishing destinations in North America. Plan your next fishing trip knowing you'll arrive without any surprises—or discover some new fishing destinations in your area.