Many anglers prefer the simple tactics and beautiful scenery of streamfishing. Perhaps nothing in this sport is more enjoyable than floating a small creek or river and fishing with live bait for a mixed bag of fish: largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass: rock bass; bluegill; walleyes; catfish.

 

Streamfishing guide John Sloan of Tennessee says many of America's small streams are loaded with fish that rarely get any angling pressure. Some detective may be required to find them and figure out how to gain access to them. But for those who go to this trouble, a great new fishing opportunity opens up.

Sloan typically navigates his way along streams in a canoe, but this craft is just a means of getting from one good spot to another. Sloan actually does most of his fishing from a gravel bar or while wet-wading, and he says live bait is the way to go.

"One of the best methods for streamfishing is what I call run-and-gun ambush fishing, where you take a canoe or an inner tube, and you float through the shallow, fast stretches. Then you fish the big deep holes right below the riffles. You do this by beaching your craft and casting from the gravel bars that border these pools."

Sloan continues, "This is prime time for live bait: minnows, worms, crawfish. I typically spend up to a half-hour working a good looking spot, fishing the hole very slowly and thoroughly. Then, when the bites quit coming, I'll float on down to the next spot and do it again."

Sloan presents his live bait with a float rig. He casts to the head of a pool and allows the current to drift his bait through the deep stretch. When the bobber goes under, he's never sure what he'll pull out.

"Now this is a fun way to fish!" he affirms. "Pack a lunch. Don't get in a hurry. Enjoy the beauty of the stream setting. Usually you're working with a real light watercraft, so you can spend the whole day doing it without getting too fatigued."

He concludes, "One good way to locate good fishing streams is to contact the stream fisheries biologist at your state fish and wildlife agency. He'll give you some good suggestions. Then it's up to you to get out there and take advantage of what I classify as one of the greatest opportunities anywhere for fishing action and pleasure."