| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-60 | - Pre-spawn smallmouth are transitioning from winter areas to spawning grounds, actively feeding near rocky structure and current areas
- Fish are becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, particularly responsive to bottom-contact baits and slow-moving presentations
| - Boulder fields and rocky areas near current, especially below rapids
- Deeper pockets adjacent to potential spawning flats
- Current breaks and eddies where baitfish concentrate
| - Ned Rigs dragged slowly along bottom through rocky areas
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) slow-rolled through current seams
- Drop Shot worked vertically in deeper pockets
| - Minnows congregating in current areas
- Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas
| - Green Pumpkin
- White
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 58-62 | - Panfish are actively feeding on insects around rocky structure, particularly in areas with current flow
- Fish are establishing pre-spawn positions near shoreline structure, concentrating around boulder fields and current breaks
| - Boulder fields and rock piles, especially in areas with current
- Current breaks and eddies near rocky banks
- Shallow flats adjacent to boulder fields
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly between boulders
- Live Bait Rigs with small insects or worms
- Micro Crankbaits near current breaks
| - Insects, particularly small aquatic nymphs and larvae
- Small minnows utilizing rock structure
| - Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Trout | 48-58 | - Trout are actively feeding in pre-spawn conditions, utilizing current breaks behind boulders and in rapids areas
- Fish are staying in moderate depths where water temperatures are optimal (around 55°F), moving between feeding stations throughout the day
| - Boulder-strewn areas below rapids where current breaks create holding spots
- Deeper pockets and holes near current seams
- Original river channel edges with structure
| - Inline Spinners worked through current breaks and eddie areas
- Live Bait Rigs drifted along channel edges
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked near structure
| - Aquatic insects during spring hatches
- Crawfish in rocky areas
- Small baitfish in current breaks
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Pre-spawn to spawning transition with some fish already on beds while others staging on adjacent structure
- Active feeding periods in current areas and around boulder fields, particularly during warming trends
| - River channel edges with boulder fields
- Protected spawning pockets near shoreline rock structure
- Deeper current breaks below rapids
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom structure
- Drop Shot for suspended fish near spawning areas
- Tubes dragged through rocky areas
| - Bluegill
- Crawfish emerging from winter habitat
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 58-68 | - Actively spawning and defending nests in shallow rocky areas, particularly around boulder fields
- Feeding opportunistically on both insects and small minnows during pre and post-spawn periods
- Most active during warmer parts of day when water temperatures reach optimal range
| - Boulder fields in shallow water, especially where rocks meet other structure
- Current areas near rapids where food sources concentrate
- Protected bank areas with rock structure
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly around boulder edges
- Ned Rigs dragged along bottom structure
- Bobbers with small jigs suspended near spawning areas
| - Small aquatic insects
- Young-of-year minnows
- Crayfish
| - Dark Neutrals
- Natural Craw Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Trout | 45-58 | - Active feeding in riffles and current breaks during spring spawning season, particularly focused on insect hatches and small baitfish
- Holding in deeper pockets behind boulders between feeding periods, using current breaks for energy conservation
| - Rapids and boulder-strewn areas with current breaks
- Deeper holes and pockets near fast water
- Original river channel structure with good oxygen content
| - Inline Spinners worked through current seams
- Live Bait Rigs drifted in deeper pockets
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked near boulder breaks
| - Aquatic insects and emerging hatches
- Small crawfish in rocky areas
- Small baitfish in current breaks
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding but still relating to rocky structure and current breaks
- Most active during periods of stable weather, feeding opportunistically on both crawfish and baitfish in moderate depths
| - Boulder fields and rock structure, especially those near current breaks
- River channel edges where current meets rocky structure
- Bank areas with mixed rock and boulder structure
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom structure and through current seams
- Spinnerbaits retrieved parallel to banks and through boulder fields
- Inline Spinners worked through rapids and current breaks
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy and actively moving on rocky structure
- Small baitfish (minnows) concentrated in current breaks
- Bluegill beginning to move shallow for their spawn
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 55-65 | - Active feeding in rocky shoreline areas, particularly around boulder fields where they target both small minnows and insects
- Establishing feeding stations near current areas and boulder-bank transitions, using rocks as ambush points
| - Boulder fields along shorelines, especially where rocks meet the bank
- Current areas with rocky structure
- Transition areas where boulders meet other structure types
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly between boulders
- Bobbers with small jigs near rocky structure
- Micro Crankbaits worked parallel to boulder-lined banks
| - Minnows
- Small insects and invertebrates near rocky structure
| - Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Trout | 48-58 | - Actively feeding in current breaks behind boulders, taking advantage of post-spawn insect hatches and recovering energy
- Utilizing oxygen-rich water near rapids while staying protected from strong current
| - Boulder fields below rapids providing current breaks
- Deep pools adjacent to faster water
- Original river channel structure with rocky substrate
| - Inline Spinners worked through current seams
- Soft Jerkbaits drifted naturally in current
- Live Bait Rigs with insects or small minnows
| - Aquatic insects emerging in spring conditions
- Small baitfish in current breaks
- Crawfish becoming active in warming waters
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
