Yeah you should be able to get them to feed in the open water, but if you can I would go with hydrated feed for now. Mix the dry feed and water in a gallon zip lock bag and shake it around for a few minutes. Let the bag set for a 3 minutes and then flip it on the other side and let it set some more. Then let it set for a couple of hours until the water has penetrated to the center. You want a doughy consistency not a sticky mess.
I know trout farmers that swear you don't want to feed trout dry feed in under 40 degree water. They claim the food doesn't digest properly in the gut. Then there are others that say it's not an issue. I play it safe and feed them hydrated pellets in really cold water and I don't feed them too often.
Anyway I have been feeding my trout once a month or every 5 weeks hydrated feed in the pond in the open hole created by the diffuser. I've actually gone a whole winter without feeding them and they look just fine. Don't even look like they have lost weight.
Here's something that will really make a difference: Wait until about 40 minutes before before dark to feed them. During high light periods they may stay deeper and not find the feed on the surface. Throw some feed in various places until one or more finds it. Then wait for them to eat it all and throw more in the same place. If you feed in the same place over a period of time they will show up like clockwork.
Last edited by Cecil Baird1; 03/19/14 08:18 PM.
