I've realised that amongst many of the things of which I'm ignorant concerning fly fishing, trout behaviour is one of the main.

Am I right in thinking that trout slow down the hotter and colder the water, because one slows their metabolism and one depletes the oxygen in the water, and that trout tend to shy from full sunlight, and come to the surface in the evening not only because of hatches but also because it's darker and they feel safer (this is mainly aimed at stillwater fishing, BTW)?

Am i also right in thinking they like the shade from trees because they not only feel safer, but because of the terrestrials that fall in the water?

Water courses feeding into the res afford them food and oxygenated water, and as such they tend to cluster in these areas. is that right?

And dam walls are popular, though I forget why (deep water?).

How do they act in the rain (I'm going out on Saturday, and there's a good chance there will be rain).

Any links to trout/water 101s would be a great help.

Many thanks

I just try and keep things simple- trout will usually be found where there is food and adequate oxygen.Rainbows don't seem to slow down that much in cold water; I fish Grafham in the winter months and have found the fish will always feed at some point in the day.Rain doesn't usually make for great fishing, as it normally means low or falling pressure, which trout don't seem to like, but any big changes in pressure upset them.Dam walls offer easy access to deep water, which means more oxygen, so in the summer can be good places to try, more so if there is plenty of food there (daphnia for instance) also.On reservoirs it can be worth anchoring downwind from trees in a good blow, as terrestials do end up in the water, and trout know it. As far as bank fishing goes trees are just a pain in the ar*e that limit your backcast! Trout definitely hate the sun in their eyes, more so when it is windy. Add this to the fact that daphnia are a staple food of reservoir rainbows, and that they go down in higher light levels, it makes sense to fish deeper, at least in the summer months.
This all said trout can be quite perverse, and I've had great days in seemingly 'wrong' conditions.Unless you can pick and choose your days you just have to make the best of it anyway.Find the fish and take it from there.

__________________
Behold the fisherman
He riseth up early and disturbeth the whole household.
MIGHTY ARE HIS PREPARATIONS!
He goeth forth full of hope and when the day is far spent he returneth
Smelling of strong drink, and the truth is not in him

Reading books on trout behaviour is one thing, what the trout do is another!
They say trout go to the windward side of water as feed is pushed there by the wind, so cast into the wind (wind bashing). Not always easy. Some anglers will fish for comfort and fish with the wind at their back. So why do they catch fish (maybe not always but some good days can be had)?
Never take anything for granted in trout fishing. Best is to ask advice at the water especially if the weather has been simular over a few days, rain, wind, sun and temp.
Fish will feed when it's raining, don't rely on dries though don't discount them.
In other words, fishing is not straight foreward. Good luck.

Thanks for that.

I seem to remember reading something about barometric pressure once. Was it something like, if it's changing to low pressure, the fish stop biting? Is that it, or is it any change?

Thanks