They say surface activity doesn't have an effect on trout. But, as far as I know, there is no study to prove or disprove that. A number of trout fishermen believe that the heavy river traffic of recreational canoes and float tubes has disrupted wild, wary brown trout to the point that they have abandoned their old haunts. Most of the canoe and tube activity occurs along a stretch of water that runs along Route 313 in West Arlington. That stretch also happens to be an area that was once ideal for fly and spinner fishermen.
Wild trout are solitary and alone.
It is right tight to the bank where these fish find overhead protection. Canoeists cut some of this cover, which reduces hiding and protection places for trout. Cairns says he first began to detect declining brown trout populations 15 years ago. You'd see fewer fish rising. I think there has been a gradual decline for a number of years, maybe back to the mid-1980's.