How to Fly Fish: The Best Way To Approach a “Trout” Pool

A deep, slow-moving pool is as close as you’ll get to trout paradise – cool, oxygen-rich, and easy for fish to hold in. It should come as no surprise that pools are great places to catch trout, but they’re also pretty easy to mess up. There’s less ambient noise and activity in a slow pool than in a fast riffle or run, making it easier for trout to pick up on your presence. Here’s how to stay hidden.

Work Your Way Upstream

Nine times out of ten, your best bet is to approach a pool from downstream – the tenth time is when your only access point is parallel or upstream of it. Trout face upstream waiting for food to drift by, and they have a blind spot directly behind them. If you’re going to create noise and vibrations, which you will, best to do it where they’re not focused.

Be Mindful of Your Shadow

A holding trout always has an eye on the water’s surface, on the lookout for insects to eat, but also for predators. As soon as a moving shadow comes over the pool, that fish is going to dart for cover – and when one darts, it rings the alarm bells for the rest of the fish in the pool. Stay low when you approach, make use of any trees or rocks that will block your shadow – and if you have to false cast, don’t do it over the pool.

Take It Slow

When you approach a trout pool, you want to make as little disturbance to the water as possible. Trout have a sensory system, called a lateral line, that runs along their sides and allows them to feel vibrations and movement underwater. Trout are used to slow movements, like leaves and insects floating by, but splashing around downstream of a pool is going to cause concern.

Wait and Watch

Once you’ve gotten to a place where you feel confident that you can make an accurate cast, take a couple of moments to observe the pool. If trout are rising, that’s an easy way to locate them. If they’re not, look for any structure in the pool – rocks, logs, holes that look deeper – where trout will likely be. Plus, if your approach did tip off any fish, you’ll be giving them a moment to settle back into their natural behavior.

Start at the Tailout

When you’re finally ready to cast, always start at the tailout – the downstream end of the pool. If you choose to put your first cast at the very top of the pool, you’re dropping your line on top of any other fish that are stacked in the lower parts of the pool. Doesn’t matter if you saw the fish of a lifetime eat at the head of the pool: Start from the bottom and work your way up.

Approach With a Plan

When you see a seriously good-looking pool, it’s tempting to rush in. The deepest water in the middle of the pool will be calling your name, but be patient – you’ll get to it. When in doubt, take things slow. Start at the tailout, cover the water methodically, and don’t panic if you blow a pool. There’s usually another one right around the bend.