The largest trout in each pool selects the feeding station which will enable him to capture the greatest amount of food. All of this, while expending the least amount of effort. I call this the “primary feeding station” in that pool.
There can be six feeding stations in each pool in the mountain trout streams.
Sections of a Feeding Station
- The Lip feeding station is located in the downstream section of the pool. This is the first area you will fish as you approach from downstream. If a large boulder or two slows this current, it may be the primary feeding station for this pool. Read this carefully and make your first cast perfect and you may catch the largest trout in the pool.
- Next is the Tail of the pool. It is just upstream of the lip and seldom provides protected cover for a large trout. However, fish it anyway as you move upstream.
- The Mid-Pool feeding station is in the center of the pool and usually contains only small fish. However, fish it carefully. If the rest of the pool does not hold good feeding stations the large trout may be here.
- The Back Eddy is a lazy Susan feeding station located on the side of the pool. These can range from four feet to ten feet in diameter. Seldom will this be the primary feeding station. In periods of high water trout may move here to seek protection from the powerful currents and to feed on the caddis larva that live here.
- The Head of the Pool feeding station holds many nymphs. To avoid the full force of the current, the trout feed on the sides of the main flow where the fast water meets the slow water. During periods of low stream flow it is often possible to catch trout along the sides of the current in the head of the pool. The flow of the stream helps hide our approach.
- The Corner feeding station is located in the upper section of the pool beside the riffle but on the side of it where the current races by. This flow forms a lazy Susan back current the size of a dinner plate or smaller. If the largest trout in the pool is not on the Lip of the pool he will be here. Early in the spring and in periods of moderately high water this becomes the Primary Feeding Station. The hatching insects wash around and around in the lazy Susan and the boulders on the side of the riffle block the force of the current off the trout.
Our new Mr. Rapidan Spinner size 14 will help you catch many large trout during the spinner fall during the last two hours of daylight from the middle of March to the middle of April.
Understanding the six feeding stations in mountain trout stream pools enables you to get excellent fishing. For more information on feeding stations see page 31 of by book Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park.