Tim Holschlag’s
Smallmouth Secrets 
Surmounting High Water
Sometimes you gotta fish in a real flood. Such as when heavy rains put the rivers at least 2 feet above normal. At this level, a river is nearly unrecognizable; the pools, riffles, boulders and other reference points you know so well seem nowhere to be found. And for anglers toiling in this adversity, the fish also seem to have disappeared in the rising tide.
But wait a minute. High water smallmouthing can actually be pretty good, if you can adapt to the new conditions. The key is accurately targeting high water locations. Except now the fish may be in places that didn't even have water a few days earlier.
Flooded bank vegetation and wood should be among your high-water targets, especially where the current is slow. Various minnow species often move into these flooded areas to feed, with smallmouth close behind. Eddies on inside bends and below islands seldom get a second glance from smallies if the bottom is sandy or depths are shallow, but now they're deep and slack enough to hold resting and feeding fish.
Tributary mouths can also be real bonanzas for high-water bronzebacks. Almost any type of incoming creek carrying an increased flow, even normally dry drainage ditches, culverts and tile outlets, if they have running water, can draw various forage species to feed on the incoming nutrients, with the predators close behind.
A key to any high-water strategy is to quickly sort through the 99% of the water that's unproductive and find the productive 1%. If the river has good tributaries, this part of your strategy is relatively easy. Float a 10- to 12-mile section that has numerous incoming creeks (if the high water hasn't created unsafe boating conditions) and you should find a few that hold fish.
Quietly anchor and thoroughly work each tributary. Here, a good bow anchor is essential, and you may also need a stern anchor to keep the craft from being buffeted in the current. If you're on foot, you can get in on the tributary fun by "road fishing" them: identify those accessible by road and drive from one to another.
Finding fish-holding eddies, banks or flooded vegetation might not be quite as easy. Many flooded banks won't be productive, so the angler must cover a lot of water to find those that do hold fish. Use your paddles, oars or motor to really slow your craft down so you can accurately work potential areas.
Once you find an area with fish, it pays to quietly anchor right next to it so you can work it thoroughly. Often, several good fish will concentrate in a favored location, but will require a slow, diligent presentation. Sure this type of fishing isn't the same as working a river when its low and slow, but high water smallmouthing can be productive and it certainly beats staying home.
Until next time. 
Editors Note:
This is excellent information, more in depth information is available in Tim’s book. This information was written specifially for your smallie education at FlyBass.
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