Al said:

I was fishing a type three line both down and across and well as standing
at
the two heads of the first "pool" mentioned and letting the current take
the
line down to my backing, waiting for it to sink in the middle of the
"pool"

Are you sure your fly was actually getting down onto the bottom? With line
out to the backing current will usually make your fly line "belly" in the
middle and the fly rise up toward the surface particularly at the end of
your cast as the line swings toward shore. With a small nymph pattern this
is desireable because it's what nymphs do. Add a weight or a sinking tip to
force your fly down deep to bottom-bounce then rise at the end of your cast.
You want that weighted fly to go quickly to the bottom depending upon
current strength.

It this still does not work for you, tie on a bigger weighted nymph like a
damsel or dragon fly nymph and bottom-bounce them until the end of the
swing.

If this still does not work for you try a weighted minnow-imitating long
streamer pattern. Bottom-bounce it through the pool and see what happens.

If this still does not work for you try a weighted wolly bugger with a
flashing front propeller or similar flashing streamer to get in their face.

You can keep this up until something works. Give the pools a 30 minute rest
and try another approach until they hit - you know they are down there.

and "jigging" or jerking the line with short strips.

Not necessary. Let the current do this for you. Your jerks may be pulling
your fly out of their face!


Good luck!
John