Reading Water For Spring

[Driftless]

The last week this season three anglers had encounters with a really big trout in this

hole.

I was looking at this hole last night and thinking?

Is this hole a transitional hole for spawn or is this hole this big trout's home?

Will that big trout be there in March when it is cold. Will it "winter" in that hole.

You really can't tell from this photo above but the photo below tells me what I want to know.

The structure in the hole is much more obvious in this photo.

The appearance of "too" strong of current in this hole tells me this hole is "NOT" where this trout will winter.

Trout in winter want a slow current where they can hold tight to the bottom and exert as little amount of

energy as possible to stay in place during the frigid winter months.

This monster trout will not be in this hole in the spring.

It could have come from miles away with the spawning itch or it may be in a slower moving deep hole

in the general vicinity. What are your thoughts?

[reinhard1]

i think the trout can make this their "home". without knowing the rest of the stream i think it has the depth to prevent freezouts along with the current. the trout can rest along the edges of the curent also. there should also be a continuing source of forage for the trout as well. some of the rivers i fish up in northern minnesota have rapids entering larger deeper pools and i would think that that is the perfect spot for wintering. however regardless of the size of the stream the deeper pools would be the wintering hole in my opinion. in short, if that is the deepest area of that stream it would be a great springtime hole. good luck.

[so haaad]

Thanks Len, I always enjoy these off-season "dream about next year" posts. In pic #1, there appears to be an undercut bank near the top of the pool. But pic #2 shows the area has shallow water and exposed rock, which wouldn't provide enough year-round cover for a monster fish. My guess is this is not a year-round monster trout hole, but it's still likely to hold a decent fish or two in the summer. Taking it a step further, my guess is the king or queen of this pool hangs out along the rocks along the outside edge, where there's deeper water and the current slows.

[Driftless]

what I don't like about the hole is the current AND the lack of cover "trees" on the back. Big trout are bashful and like to feel hidden from predators. I bet I will catch a couple little ones in spring in this hole...BUT ....NOT a wise large trout.