Without wishing to ask a dumb question, let me describe a scenario ( today!) that you have all seen on rivers.

I've discovered a new river ( its been there thousands of years but u get my meaning!) and have fished it 3 times recently., the first two times have fish rising when i arrived to when i left ( basically mid afternoon to closing time).

Went there today, fished 11.30 to 2pm, caught 3 fish ...1 on nymph, 2 on dry.

I consider myself a fairly decent fisherman, and pretty good tier.

The weather has changed in the last day or two ...its got a bit colder, and a lot wetter, and today was also bright and windy. Not great conditions, even in a tree lined small river.

So my question is , what were the trout doing ....ie , if trout are opportunists, will they accept a well presented nymph at all times ?

Or.....if few rises are happening ( this river has plenty of wild fish) , are the fish just lying doggo.....or will trout always rise to a well presented dry / emerger . I assume not?

Its just a bit confusing trying to understand various experts, who seem to advise that a well presented dry fly/nymph will almost always work ( unless in a flood ) because trout are opportunist feeders.

Surely this is a load of aris.......if the trout aint hungry, then its tough luck for the fisherman who arrives at the "wrong" time.

If relevant, the flies that worked for me today were a goldbead nymph, my brilliant CDC and herl, and John Tyzacks parachute terrestrial (v good fly) .

Am i misunderstanding trout behaviour?

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Irish by birth, Munster by the grace of God.