FOLLOW THE FLOW
Every day is a new day on rivers when water levels rise and fall. You may find walleyes relating to creeks, cuts, chutes, and boat harbors when water levels are high. But as the water level starts dropping, they instinctively seek deeper water. As walleyes begin filtering out of backwater areas, they begin using current breaks in deeper water near backwater locations.

"I look for deeper cuts in water leading into backwater areas," Skarlis says. "Big, slow eddies with deep water near the main channel of a backwater cut, or on the downcurrent side of an island, can be good when the water is dropping.

"The fish always are more aggressive at the edge, where the current meets calm water. I also graph fish in the center of eddies or holes," Skarlis claims, "although they're always less aggressive. Even so, I've caught lots of big fish in the eye of an eddy."

Vertically jigging or three-way rigging are other good options for drifting along a current break or riprap area, hovering in the middle of an eddy, or anchoring at the mouth of a feeder creek that meets the main river.

Fishing vertically in strong current or deep water calls for additional weight to reach bottom. Heavy 3/4- to 1-ounce jigs enable you to stay in contact with the bottom in heavy current. And their larger profile increases their visibility in dirty or deep water. Bounce and bang them off the bottom and rocks to trigger strikes.

Trolling long stretches of flooded wood is a good way to intercept walleyes migrating along treeline cover, providing depth and room are sufficient to make effective trolling runs. Position your crankbait close to the cover by sticking your rod tip right next to the trees to draw walleyes out from the wood. The no-stretch qualities of superlines like Berkley FireLine or Spiderwire greatly increase your ability to detect weeds or wood that foul your crankbait. If you can't feel the crankbait vibrating, simply rip your rod tip forward, which often removes debris without having to reel the lure all the way back to the boat.

Identify and anticipate fish movements when river water levels are high. Search for walleyes in shallow cover, look for current break locations with hard bottom, and don't hesitate to try new locations or tactics in backwaters.

To attract walleyes holding tight to wood, position your crankbait close to flooded wood by placing your rod tip right next to the trees as you troll upstream.