Reading a trout stream involves knowing a few things about how trout behave and a little about their physiology. The best place to begin is to understand how to approach a stream. Trout like cold water with good cover to protect them from predators. When surveying the stream make sure to take note of ripples and pools, especially where there is overhanging vegetation, logs or a deep cut in the bank that the trout could using for protection. Remember, a trout's eyes are very light sensitive, and due to the refraction created by the water they detect movement at odd angles from the stream bank. A safe rule of thumb is assume that any skittish fish in a pool can see at a 45 degree angle beyond the stream bank. Stay low and conduct most of your movements, such as adjusting tackle, beyond this range. Wild trout are much more skittish than stocked trout for obvious reasons.

Once you've found a good or likely spot to fish the next question is how to work it. Trout generally face up-stream and wait for the current to bring food to them. For this reason it is best to fish up-stream. The trout will have their backs to you and your lure will present like natural food. If this presentation is not practical try to show some motion to the trout. Trout respond to motion more readily than to a static bait. The other factor that you must pay attention to is scent. Trout have an acute sense of smell and will turn away from baits and lures that carry a suspicious odor. Make sure that you don't have odors on your hands that you've passed to your lure such as cigarettes, dog scents (from petting your pooch), etc. Carry some unscented hand sanitizer with you to remove these. It may also help to add some scent to you lure. There are various trout baiting scents on the market. I've had the most luck with the garlic based scents, but this open to experimentation and the jury is still out on which is the best.

All this leads to the key factor which is to know when and what the trout are eating. The "when" is generally easy to figure out since trout are light sensitive. Most trout like to feed in the less harsh light of morning and late afternoon. During the brighter part of the day they'll be finding their cover, but may still enjoy a snack or two. When it comes to what they are eating remember that trout are opportunists, but also exhibit some conditioned responses. It's important to know what insects are providing the majority of their diet at a given time and try to simulate that particular food-source. If mayflies are blanketing the stream you probably won't have much luck presenting something else. This is one of the joys of trout fishing, to do your research and show up prepared to catch the fish. It's very satisfying to know the "secret forumula" to feed the local trout while other fisherman are struggling just to get their attention.

So there it is, a few basic rules to follow when trout fishing a stream.

- Survey the stream first, figure out where the trout may be hiding

- Approach the fishing hole cautiously, especially for wild trout

- Guard against unwanted scents, use attractants if you wish

- Know what the trout are eating and try to simulate that

- Fish at prime feeding times, usually early morning or late afternoon

- As usual, pack out what you pack in -- Leave no trace!

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