I’ve been trout fishing all winter long and under the normal circumstances, they are finicky! It is also true that if you can see them… they can see you and your odds of catching them are slim.
If you are fly fishing, try to use a dark olive wooly bugger (#8) and work it really close to the bottom. Short strips (3 “) with a light tippit (4 lbs. fluorocarbon) with a sink tip line usually does the trick.
If you are using a spinning outfit, DOWN SIZE IT! Use fluorocarbon leader tipped with a small “gold” kastmasters or gold bladed rooster tail is a killer.
Hope this helps.
“Crazy” Alberto
NonStopFisher@Optoponline.net