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Seldom are big fish the reward on these waters, but what the quarry lacks in size, it makes up for in numbers: catches are often counted in the dozens. And though some of these waters are stocked, the majority hold wild, native fish.

Trout found in these diminutive waters are almost always willing to come up and snatch a dry fly (except in the heart of winter), so that's the approach I turn to first. With small waters and generally small fish, one might assume that small flies are in order. For the most part, just the opposite is true. Save your size 22 midges and 24 Tricos for selective trout. Small-stream mountain trout have a penchant for chunky, substantial offerings. Part of this has to do with the habitat: The headwaters these fish inhabit are often acidic and poor in nutrients, with meager food supplies. The fish know they must grab any morsel that floats by: the bigger the meal, the better. Flies in sizes 12 to 16 are my standards, with 18s only occasionally called for. Sometimes I even use 10s.

The relatively sparse food supplies, coupled with the fast currents and rushing water, also makes small stream trout less selective as to pattern, body silhouette and all the other intricacies scientific anglers like to debate about on the famous shoulder-to-shoulder rivers. Certainly if there is a hatch of caddis or mayflies coming off and you have a similar pattern in your box, it pays to duplicate it. But often these aquatic insects emerge only sporadically, and mountain trout must grab them one minute-only to snatch, in the next instant, a stray beetle or cricket.

Land insects are at or just below peak abundance in many areas now, and will remain plentiful for another month or more. Small-stream trout are especially fond of these calorie-rich foods that dribble in from land all day Long. A good selection for mountain streams would include fur, foam or cork ants in black and cinnamon, sizes 12 to 16; black foam or deer hair beetles, 10 to 16; crickets, 10 to 14; bees,10 to 14; and inchworms in 10 to 12.

Mayfly imitations can be carried to meet specific hatches, but carry an all-around selection as well. Include patterns such as the Adams, Blue-Winged Olive, Light Cahill and Blue Dun in traditional or parachute styles, in sizes 12 to 16.

If caddisflies are abundant, an Elk Hair Caddis is hard to beat. The Goddard is another good choice, since the deer-hair body makes it float extremely well. Stock them in sizes 12 to 18.

It's true that terrestrials, mayflies and caddis are important, but sometimes a handful of attractor flies is all you'll need. Effective patterns include the Humpy, Irresistable, Stimulator, Royal Wulff and Madam X, in sizes 10 to 16.

These trout are extremely skittish: Fish upstream, and keep a low profile, sometimes crouching or even kneeling as you work up to a pool or likely stretch of pocket water. Wearing drab olive or tan clothing can also help.

Drag is critical as well, If your line or leader gets caught in current and pulls the fly unnaturally, trout will rarely grab it and may actually scrurry beneath rocks in fright. Use a stop cast or whatever system you like, but be sure to deliver some slack in the line so you can achieve a drag-free float.

Short rods are best, in the 6 1/2 to 8-foot range, with a 2- to 5-weight double taper floating line, 8- to 10-foot leader and 2- to 4-pound tippet. Longer rods are hard to manipluate in the tight, tree-shrouded quarters.

If the weather is cold or the fish just aren't in the mood to come topside, try fishing a nymph like a Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear, Zug Bug, Stonefly or Bead Head Pheasant Tail in sizes 10 to 16. Wets such as a Woolly Worm or Black Gnat can also be good. If the water is high and stained, go with a small streamer-- Clouser Minnow, Mickey Finn, Black Nosed Dace-- fished down and across with short strips and pauses.