1. You should feel your weight hitting the bottom as it goes down stream but, it shouldn't be stopping & you should NOT have to be "popping" it off the bottom to keep it moving, the river should be doing the work

2. leader length is controversial issue but, i believe the clearer & slower the water, the longer the leader, personally, I wouldn't use a leader shorter than 4' to 5'

3. put an orange or pink or white (glow ball), the smallest size you can get & use a # 2 hook w/ eggs or green (chartruese) yarn w/shrimp oil

4. if you are drifting correctly, i.e. your weight is peep peep peeping along on the bottom without your help, you will know after several drifts what a bite is & you will know what to do