Hey all these ideas work but practice makes perfect. I free spool always i never use my drag i just dont believe in it. If a fish heads down on me i take most all the tention off allow just enough to keep the hooks in. But watch the river and the slices theres always a rock or something for them to hide behind. When your fish passes by a rock that pervides a slice tighten down on him and and they will usually turn and rest in the slice. But if you keep him to tight they will put there body broad side to the current and now they got the advantage. But hey if you dont loose a few you wouldnt have a story to tell. Ive been fishing since i could hold a pole and all the ideas people gave have worked it all depends on the circumstances . If you ever fished the solduc from the bank youv'e had them run on ya .. Hey good luck