| In my opinion, the most important thing to remember | | | | any given river fishing trip, fishing the deeper parts of |
| while river fishing is not to spook the water that you're | | | | the river. Deeper edges and riffles and of course pools |
| about to fish. I've seen entirely too many anglers do | | | | are where a majority of the fish will |
| this very thing. For example, they'll wade 1/4 of the | | | | congregate(especially in hotter weather. You don't |
| way out into the river and begin fishing. Thus leaving | | | | want to get caught spending 80% of your time fishing |
| themselves standing in the very water they probably | | | | the shallow riffles and 20% of your time fishing the |
| should have fished first.The first tip is: When river | | | | beautiful pool below the riffles. And the deeper edges |
| fishing, remember to work the area that you want to | | | | along most riffles (especially in the bend of the river) |
| fish in "sections". Don't just jump in and start fishing in | | | | are generally more productive as well. Just remember: |
| the spot that you think looks the best. And don't just | | | | for the most part, deeper is better.The fourth tip is: |
| fish the water directly below where you're wading. | | | | Match your fishing gear to the type of fish that your |
| Make your casts into the current then let your live bait | | | | fishing for. I've seen all too many anglers out on my |
| or lure flow with the current until it is finally below you, | | | | local stream fishing for rainbow trout with gear that |
| keeping your line as tight as possible the entire time. | | | | would enable them to hook and land a small mako |
| Repeat this step while varying the length of your casts | | | | shark! My personal preference is a five foot ultralight |
| in order to cover the water entirely.The second tip is: | | | | rod and reel spooled with 4 lb. test. If this would be too |
| When river fishing, while using live bait, the bottom is | | | | "small" for you, a 6 foot light action rod spooled with |
| your friend. As my mentor used to say, "if you're not | | | | 6lb. test would suffice, but any larger is complete |
| getting snagged, you're not fishing in the right place!" | | | | overkill. If you're going river fishing for fall steelhead, |
| The goal is to bounce you're live bait off of the bottom | | | | obviously your going to need larger fishing gear. Just |
| as it drifts naturally through the current (JRW Gang | | | | make sure to match it to what you're fishing for. I don't |
| Hooks are the most natural way to present a worm in | | | | need to see any more shark fishermen on my local |
| my opinion). This is accomplished by adjusting the | | | | trout stream.These tips should save you time, and with |
| number of split shot sinkers you add to your line. Start | | | | any luck, help you catch more fish as well. So get out |
| with two and make a cast. If you don't feel bottom | | | | there and do just that. And remember what a very |
| throughout your drift, add another on the next cast and | | | | wise person once said, "a bad day fishing is better |
| so on. Once you're bouncing bottom, you'll be able to | | | | than a good day at work." Amen!Trevor Kugler20 |
| feel it. And with practice, you'll be able to tell the | | | | year fishing addict, especially ultralight river fishing - |
| difference between the bottom and a bite with | | | | products and information to save you time, and help |
| ease.The third tip is: Look for deeper water. For the | | | | you catch more fish. |
| most part you'll want to spend 80% of your time on | | | | |