One Great Flowing Water Prenstation

As a weight settles to bottom, the rig pulls tight and the bait or lure extends downstream, swinging, swaying, dancing in current. Don't be in a hurry to move it. The current-bait combo does all the work for you. Put it in a potential spot -- a current break or eddy -- and be patient.

Floater Rigs -- All the deadly advantages of a plain-hook livebait rig, plus a couple more. First, the flotation of the jighead keeps the bait from drooping toward bottom in areas of reduced current or slack water. Second, a floating jighead bobs and weaves in current, adding action and attraction even when the sinker is at rest on bottom. Third, floating heads add color and profile options, creating bigger or bulkier baits. Perhaps the second most underused adaptation to three-ways.

Crankbaits -- Undoubtedly the most underused though superb three-way option for rivers. Cranks that are run behind a three-way swivel wiggle and wobble in current, even when the sinker is at rest in an anchored position. Troll upstream, and they go nuts in the current. They also perform well for trolling downstream; move along slightly faster than the current to make the bait wiggle. From an anchored position, a crankbait will wobble in place if current is sufficient.

Shallow-diving cranks, notably minnow- imitators, excel for rivers. Perhaps lengthen the dropper slightly to accommodate the diving depth of the lure, which won't be more than a few inches on a short leader. Perhaps shorten the leader slightly to prevent the lure from diving and snagging bottom. Rig accordingly.

You might assume that large or gaudy crankbaits would work best in dark water, but small to medium minnow-imitators (2 to 4 inches) tend to produce best, particularly if the fish are a bit inactive. Color or forage patterns? Match the forage in clear water -- silver for smelt or shad, perch for perch. Go gaudy in darker water -- visible fire tiger or clown. Experiment between subtle balsa baits and more aggressive plastic models with internal rattles.

Spinner Rigs -- Used somewhat by river trollers, particularly when they anchor in strong current or troll upstream. When moving downcurrent, however, spinners lose rotation, droop, and sometimes tangle with the dropper. Seldom a good shorecasting rig for the same reasons. Limit their use to conditions when blade rotation is assured. Bright colors -- orange, chartreuse -- are best in most dingy river conditions.

Streamer Flies -- Pretty much the same as with minnows lip-hooked on a plain hook, except with fur and feathers rather than fins. A streamer fly rides level behind the swivel, swerving and dancing like a minnow in the current flow. A relatively subtle option, perhaps best in clear water. Squirt on a little scent to spice up the offering.

Plastic Tails -- Achieve a similar effect with a plastic grub or tube tail on a plain hook. More action, color, bulk, profile, and flotation than a fly.

Trolling -- Trolling works best with an artificial lure that wobbles or spins in the current; use current to your advantage. Crankbaits wiggle in place when you hover, vibrate madly when you troll upcurrent. Note whether fish prefer an upstream, aggressive wobble; a subtle hover; or even trolling downcurrent (moving swiftly enough to wiggle, not throb the lure).