WV Trout Fishing

The many rivers and the smaller streams that feed into them make West Virginia a prime location for trout fishing. Avid anglers return to favored spots year after year. Familiarity is one reason for returning to a favorite spot and so is the success of previous excursions. Knowledge of a particular area can be a key to success but some anglers find success in unfamiliar locations. Perhaps the one element that safeguards success, whether in familiar or unfamiliar territory, is the angler’s ability to read the water.

Water moving through a natural channel creates three basic environments based on the terrain surrounding the river or stream. These three environments can be identified by the pattern of turbulence they generate in the water as it runs through the stream bed:

RIFFLES – Shallow, fast water creates a riffling effect on the surface of the water.Riffles usually indicate the stream bed is made of gravel or other small, loose rubble but it indicates underwater boulders, too. Either way, trout love riffles.They seek out these areas for feeding in the morning and in the evening and they’re a preferred spot for spawning.

RUNS – Deeper and slower moving than riffles, runs are where the trout hang out over the course of the day, especially where overhanging trees or rocks provide cover from predators. Runs usually flow gently over smooth, unobstructed beds of small rubble or gravel.

POOLS – Dark, still spots in a body of water indicate deep waters. The river bottom in pools are usually silt or sand but it can be lined with small gravel, too.The darker the pool, the deeper and cooler the water. Look for medium to large fish enjoying the pools.

Since trout breed in the riffles, look to them for young, small troutlets all day long but expect larger trout to return for feeding in the morning and late afternoon. Small browns and rainbow trout seem to enjoy the runs. Big, brown trout and other mature trout species favor the deep, cool pools.

Most natural waterways develop a series of riffles, runs, and pools. The most pleasant WV trout fishing expeditions will rely on identifying these patterns and fishing them accordingly.

Knowing how to read the waters means life or death to a trout. Anglers who know what the fish know know the difference between success and just another ol’ day at the fishing hole.