by Mark s stephens

Created on: February 26, 2009   Last Updated: March 03, 2009

Small streams and rivers can contain many specimen fish the trick is to find the hiding places where these fish feed. Walking a riverbank with your eyes open can reveal likely hot-spots for example do trees and bushes trail into the water giving shelter to a large fish waiting to ambush any prey that comes to near. Does the colour of the water change in certain spots looking darker indicating a hole or weed cover? All these things can be picked up by simply walking and watching. Even take notes at different times of the year certain places depending on water height may offer cover when before it was barren. Check bends in the river as it will often cut away into the bank again giving fish a hiding place. In other words if you take the time to study your water you will give yourself many more options to catch the desired fish.

Even a small stream can give you many options on how to fish it from shallows to weirs, fast water to sluggish straight or with bends. Each and every spot is slightly different and offers the fisherman different challenges. On some spots you need to be able to cast with accuracy to get your bait to the waiting fish on others you simply allow your bait to drift down to the feeding fish. Whatever the method you use knowledge of the water can give you an edge. One river I fish has got a small weir where the river drops a couple of feet this has created a feature called a basin. I have caught a number of large chub at this spot by simply allowing my hook bait to fall over the weir to where the fish are hopefully waiting. This method has worked better for me at this spot than any other I have tried. I believe it is because it is a natural feeding spot and the fish wait for food to drop from above. J

ust a few hundred yards away the same method invariably fails. There the water is faster and deeper,heavier line must be used as a take can often snap your line. Also on this section a heavier weight is required to keep your bait in the area were the fish are to be found. A small section of this river of only a couple of miles or so gives the angler many different ways to catch the desired fish. This I find is one of my greatest joys in fishing, gaining the knowledge of the water and the various techniques required to catch specimen fish.

So in conclusion I believe a little homework and a good walk can do wonders not only for your health but also your ability to catch fish.

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