Top 5 Tips to Evaluate a Trout Stream

1. The geology of a trout stream determines to a large extent the ph of a trout stream. Trout streams flowing over limestone will be more productive since limestone counteracts the acidity of the trout water.  You can spot limestone bedrock by its sedimentary layers and its brown yellowish color.  Rocks composed of silica such as sandstone, quartzite, and granite; contribute nothing to the trout water and these trout streams will not be nearly as productive since the water will be more acidic.

2. The vegetation along a trout stream is also a clue . For example, hemlocks will leave tannic acid in the water and as a result the tell tale tea color will be observed. This will cause a stream to be less productive.  Fertile trout streams will have healthy vegetation along the banks and the algae will be more plentiful as well.

3. The decomposition of organic mater found in bogs will leach humic acid into the trout water and again making it somewhat tea colored and less productive, while clear mountain streams will be more productive.

4. The trout stream with a bottom made of different size rocks, nooks and crannies will be more productive than a trout stream covered with sand or gravel.

5. The temperature of the trout water will make a big impact on the size of the trout. Trout streams with springs, or tail waters from impoundments will remain cooler in the summer causing more trout to survive the stress of heat; and continue to grow all year long.

 

Wonder why a fly will be deadly to the trout on one stream while the trout on another stream will streak away from it?  For the answer study Class 327 Trout Quality.