| In this article I'm going to outline an extremely | | | | wading is a great idea when river fishing. Being |
| effective river fishing technique. If you want to | | | | able to have your bait "at your fingertips" at all |
| know how to fish rivers, or fish rivers more | | | | times is a huge time saver. My favorite live bait is |
| effectively, this article will serve you well. Before I | | | | live worms, which I consider integral to this river |
| get down to the actual technique, let's discuss the | | | | fishing technique, and the most effective way to |
| kind of rivers where this technique is most | | | | carry live worms is a bait bag. This is simply a |
| effective. | | | | small pouch that hangs from your fishing vest and |
| Although this river fishing technique can be | | | | carries your bait while river fishing. This way your |
| modified for various fishing situations it is best | | | | bait is always "at your fingertips". |
| used in small to medium sized rivers. The kind of | | | | To rig up for this technique and begin learning how |
| rivers and streams that you can wade and fish | | | | to truly fish rivers start by taking the end of your |
| effectively without the help of a drift boat. I like a | | | | line and tying on a small barrel swivel. On the |
| river that I can work my way up or down, | | | | opposite end of the swivel tie on a set of gang |
| crossing as needed, and fishing where it looks | | | | hooks. The barrel swivel will prevent line twist as |
| best. Sometimes this sized river can be difficult to | | | | your bait bounces along the bottom. Now add |
| find, but nonetheless this is the size river that I'm | | | | whatever live bait you choose to use (in my case |
| referring to. | | | | obviously a live worm). Split shot sinkers are now |
| The first thing to consider in regards to this | | | | added above the barrel swivel for weight. |
| effective river fishing technique is the size of the | | | | The number and size of the split shot will vary |
| fishing line that's employed. You always want to | | | | depending on current flow and river depth. As I |
| use fishing line that's as light as possible. A great | | | | said the goal is to bounce your offering along the |
| tip is to match your line to the size of the fish | | | | bottom as it flows naturally with the current. |
| that could be caught (on the high end of the | | | | Getting the right amount of weight will require |
| spectrum). In other words if a 5 pound trout or | | | | some trial and error, so don't get discouraged if |
| smallmouth bass is the biggest fish you could | | | | you get snagged a few times. As my mentor |
| expect to hook, 4-6 pound test will suffice. Just | | | | used to say, "If you're not getting snagged you're |
| for a point of reference I personally use four | | | | not fishing in the right place", getting snagged is |
| pound test in 95% of the cases when using this | | | | just part of this very effective river fishing |
| technique. | | | | technique. |
| When it comes to the question of how to fish | | | | You now want to cast your line parallel to where |
| rivers, this technique will become one of your | | | | you are standing, close your bail, and let your |
| favorite fishing techniques. You are going to need | | | | offering drift. The drift is over when your bait is |
| only 4 other items for this river fishing technique: | | | | below you, downstream. You'll be able to feel the |
| split shot sinkers, small barrel swivels, gang hooks, | | | | bottom as your bait bounces along the rocks, and |
| and your favorite live bait. Having various sizes of | | | | soon will be able to easily distinguish the difference |
| split shot, gang hooks, and barrel swivels is a | | | | between bottom and a bite. With practice you will |
| great idea, but these are the only items that are | | | | start to see the true value of this river fishing |
| needed. | | | | technique and you will never again have to |
| Having an effective way to carry your bait while | | | | wonder how to fish rivers. |