Fishing fast-moving waters is a difficult feat, yet all anglers can master it. This guide will help you gain an understanding of how current affects your approach and what steps need to be taken for successful river fishing.
Searching out locations where the current breaks is key; such as eddies, islands or rocks that interrupt its strong current.
1. Know the Water
As river flows increase during runoff, conditions change dramatically. Fishing spots that were once easily accessible may now become inaccessible – buoys and safety markers provide excellent guidance for staying ahead of the current.
Stream and river velocity can range widely, from shallow lakes to rapids with extreme speeds. Even sections of one river may display different velocities due to differences in water density and temperature.
2. Find the Backwaters
Look out for places where the current breaks or slows, such as grass lines, stumps and the downstream side of islands and rock piles. Grass lines, stumps and the downstream sides of islands or rock piles should serve as good starting points.
These quiet locations draw largemouth bass because of their food source, while their less-fast flow appeals to these predators. Drop-offs provide great target locations as they contain deeper waters with slow current flow.
3. Look for Current Breaks
When fishing a river, try and identify spots where current slows. Undercut banks, eddies and areas where two currents meet are ideal spots where fish hide out as they form food-filled whirlpools that allow them to feed in.
These spots are especially great during runoff season when fish gather together and hide from predators. Also pay attention to depth changes as fish frequently target specific riffles or shallower water sources.
4. Fish Upstream
When the current is flowing fast it creates eddies and hiding places for fish to hide in. Keep an eye out for such spots and try fishing upstream.
Rushing water reduces sound travel upstream and will thus lower your chance of startling fish.
Stay away from rock piles and islands on the downstream side; these tend to be calmer spots that frequently host trout fish species. Furthermore, pay attention for current changes like merging currents, drop-offs and feeder brooks which may indicate current shifts and changes.
5. Look for Structure
Fish tend to seek shelter in swift rivers by seeking out any structure such as rocks, trees or any other object which helps break up the current.
River markers can help guide you safely through rapids, but it’s still wise to pay attention to your surroundings and rely more heavily on intuition than maps; conditions are constantly shifting.
6. Fish in the Middle
Fish in fast-moving rivers must expend energy fighting the current, so they seek refuge in areas where the current slows or changes depth. Such spots include eddies, pools, soft inside seams and undercut banks.
River bends can provide ideal environments to explore these conditions as they typically offer both deeper, slower water inwards and fast moving waters on their edges. Sand bars or any obstruction that create swirling eddies also work to generate such conditions.
7. Fish the Bottom
Weighted lure/bait drops quickly to the bottom is essential in fast currents to avoiding being caught by rocks on the bottom, helping your rig from becoming stuck there and being damaged by debris on its path.
Fish often stay near the bottom in areas where currents are blocked off, such as eddies, washed out undercuts, or deeper pools. Anglers use bobbers and bait to catch trout in such spots.
8. Use Sinking Line
Fishing fast-moving rivers requires using full sinking lines. These help your flies reach the bottom quickly.
Scientific Anglers provides an affordable line, the Wetcel, that comes in various weights and sink rates. Lengthening your leader may also help flies to sink farther and cover more water at the bottom.
9. Slow Down the Sink Rate
Fishing fast currents is both challenging and rewarding, especially during runoff. Water speed varies throughout a river so your approach needs to change accordingly; one effective strategy for doing this is slowing the sink rate of your line so your flies reach deeper waters where fish are holding; this approach is especially valuable when fishing nymphs during high flows.
10. Fish the Edge
River edges provide fish with refuge from currents and predators. Utilizing basic river fishing tips you can identify these areas effectively and use them effectively when fishing them.
When using a boat or kayak to drift, aim your lure along the edge and work it back towards your vessel to cover more water without scaring away fish. Doing this allows for maximum coverage without scaring away precious species like bass.https://www.youtube.com/embed/1KFJaJvYH7o