Embarrassed of these questions...

[NewAngler]

Okay, for some reason I feel like I should know these.. But I feel like I dont. I'm going to post a question and then my answer, please let me know if I am right, wrong or an idiot.

What is an eddy? Something that creats a current break, i.e a rock thats broken the surface.

How can I tell what a deep pool is? No answer.

What is a current break? Where slow current and fast current meet...

What is rip rap? Again, no idea.

What did you have for breakfast?

[Wayne P.]

An eddy is an area of calm water near rushing water created by something that blocks the water flow. It can be downstream of an obstruction or on the downstream side of the inside of a bend in a river.

A deep pool can be identified in three ways. 1. Usually an area of calmer water with fast water upstream and downstream of it. 2. The color of the water (if clear) looks darker. 3. Placing yourself in it and noticing it is a lot deeper than it looked before you placed yourself in it.

Current break---correct

Rip-Rap is a man made pile of rocks that are placed in an area that is subject to erosion and is ment to lessen/prevent that erosion. As you travel down a highway and notice a bunch of rocks where an overpass is (yep, rip rap). Some earthen lake dams are stabilized with piles of rocks (yep, rip rap). Some home owners put a pile of rocks where their roof gutter downspout meets the ground (yep, rip rap), a lot of waterfront properties use a pile of rocks along their shoreline (yep, rip rap again),etc.

[Dan:]

Wayne's answers are perfect, but here's an image that might help you visualize an eddy better. Ignore the "fence" stuff. I don't know what that is. Just note that the eddy is a change in the current (in it's direction and usually its speed) caused by an obstacle (rocks in the case of this image) or a protrusion from the bank.

[Bassnajr]

The only stupid question is the one that goes un-asked.

[VolFan]

OK, I'll take the tough one:

Ham and egg on an english muffin, and a big a coffee.

Don't overlook the eddy/push water on the upstream side of a major current obstruction (rock, log, etc.).  Fish will sometimes sit in this push water, especially when agressively feeding.

[NewAngler]

thanks guys.

Dan, sweet artwork.

[Dan:]

lol, i didn't draw it, I found it on google.

[NewAngler]

Steal the credit man! Wanna go after some smallies this weekend on the fly rod? Then i'll pick up the BC when that fails.

[Dan:]

Steal the credit man! Wanna go after some smallies this weekend on the fly rod? Then i'll pick up the BC when that fails.

considering I would need to buy some waders and completely learn how to catch smallmouth in the winter ON A FLY....I think I'll pass. but my advice is if you really want to work on fly fishing, don't take other gear along. It will force you to practice. Otherwise, it's too easy to just set down the fly rod when you get frustrated.

We'll get at 'em come May/June, don't worry.

[burleytog]

Raisin Bran

[Eternal Angler]

Never heard of an eddy, this is definitely a good tip.

[RandySBreth]

Here's a picture taken from my solo canoe, looking upstream, James River, MO. You are in the eddy, looking up at the current break, which in this case is some downed trees around a couple of boulders. I call where the fast and slow water meet a "current seam". If the water is clear and you have polarized glasses, you can tell the depth (kind of) by the waters color. Darker looking = deeper. Doesn't work if the water is cloudy.

Oh, hot tea, soft boiled eggs on toast, and an orange.  ;D

[A-Rob]

All those answers are awesome, and a great review for myself.

A good point to make is that these forums are for learning, don't be embarrassed to ask questions! I've had my fair share of questions answered that I'm sure are common sense for some.

Catch 'em bro!