How would you fish this river section?

[FASTEDDIE29]

Fish are feeding heavy for the long winter ahead. I spend lots of time in those areas. Rip a Bomber plug right through the seams and pockets. Smallies are still there fattening up. Shad fry are starting to lay low this time of year so you can't go wrong with live Shiners. Baby eels are all over the river so there safe bet as well. Night crawlers, Power worms in purple, black, motor oil and tequila sunrise will catch fish in that river this time of year. If you don't have those colors in your bag, your nuts. Good luck out there dude!!!

[Jhunter1]

Originally Posted by FASTEDDIE29

Fish are feeding heavy for the long winter ahead. I spend lots of time in those areas. Rip a Bomber plug right through the seams and pockets. Smallies are still there fattening up. Shad fry are starting to lay low this time of year so you can't go wrong with live Shiners. Baby eels are all over the river so there safe bet as well. Night crawlers, Power worms in purple, black, motor oil and tequila sunrise will catch fish in that river this time of year. If you don't have those colors in your bag, your nuts. Good luck out there dude!!!

In the evening after work go down there and try some topwater. If you see a few baitfish surfacing go right to them and cast on the middle. This time of year top water baits like poppers can out fish all other lures when the bite is right.

[Billfish715]

While the Big "D" is running low, the pools below any of the rapids hold most of the fish. If it's smallmouths that you're after, and you don't mind getting pinched every once in awhile, use hellgramites. They are the most natural bait target in the river. Fish them like you would fish any bait in moving water. Cast across and let the bait sink and drift into the holding areas. Keep enough weight on your line to keep it near the bottom and hold on.

When the river is down, you can wade out from the shoreline to get to most of the runs. Just be careful......obviously! Any of the methods mentioned before will work if you are on a limited time schedule or want to cover more water. As for the "mites" you can actually catch your own by using a piece of screening attached to two dowels. Broom sticks are good. If you have a partner to hold the screen, set it up downstream from your position and shuffle your feet to loosen the rocks upstream so the nymphs and "mites" wash down into the screen. Set it up in shallow water up to your knees. Be careful picking up the hellgramites since they do have pinchers that will grab you. Put them in a wading bucket with some wet vegetation and a little water. They will last a long time. Hook them once through the head or tail and drop them in.

I'm not sure who carries live hellgramites but maybe someone on this board may know if anyone does. There's always nightcrawlers!

[XXlyakattacker]

First off I hate pictures on photo bucket. It takes me forever to get back to the message board. I fish that section of the river often. Top water is awesome at times. I like to work rubber worms in the slower sections and 1/4 Oz Joe's flies in the fast water is killer on smallies and even cats. Many days of 30-50 smallies in the fast water. Even caught them next to guys swimming in the river on laborday.. I've been finding more larger fish deep and getting them on swim baits jogged slowly on a rugby jig. If only I could anchor my kayak in the rapids.

[Trevordog]

Thank you to everyone that posted replies. I really appreciate it. Great advice and will be going out to same area on Monday and give it a try.