Hi riverdemon!
I'm not sure where you live or what kind of trout your after,but I hope this helps.
I live in central PA. and have experienced the same thing.The first problem is simple,you are seeing them they most likely see you too.Give them a break for a few days and try them very early (just before daylight) or very late.Either way approach the river with the sun in your face so you don't cast your shadow on the water.If their big Brownies I like very lively minnows rigged with the lightest line that conditions permit.Also a good old knight crawler drifted slowly can do the trick.I know these sound old school but,sometimes thats what it takes.
The only other methods I've used successfully on Oct. holdover stocked fish is to run a very small Panther Martin spinner quickly near their location.
The other method is almost opposite.Tie on a 1/32 oz. black jig tipped with 1 or 2 maggots run this under a small clear plastic float(adjust-a-bubble)at your desired depth.
I really hope this helps and I'm looking forward to seeing a picture of the fish!
Sicerly,
bradt1

Alot depends if they are stocked or not. Make your bait smaller is a good try. Use a small #8 hook with a small trout worm or piece of crawler. Enough split shot 12-16 from hook to bounce off the bottom but not to sit. No swivels included! Use a worm inflator to keep it off the bottom and in the fish faces. When U feel a tug set the hook. Dont try fishing for the ones you can see. I f you see them they prob know your there. Fish out a little bit.

For finnicky trout, i like wax woms on a size twelve hook drifted under a float. Use flourocarbon leader material as well. It has nearly the same refractory index as water, thus it becomes almost invisible to the fish