Yak Jack,
If you are fishing a river that is rising fast, fish real close to shore. Don't even wade in. With the diminished water clarity, you'd be suprised how close to shore the fish will come as they move upstream. Use a larger bait like a rag. I've always enjoyed catching fish behind the guy waded out to his armpits casting all the way across the river. If he only knew he was standing on top of the fish.
Brian