You can make rags any size you want for the river conditions. I often use rags in gin clear water. You can get several differant sizes of backer rod. Grey is the only color I've ever used and it seems to work fine. I've found that the fish tend to hold the rag longer than hard baits making bite to hook up ratio's better. Use your imagination on color choices. For clear water I found a dull pink yarn in a craft store that has produced well for me. In clouded water I go with a large half inch rag with chartruese and flame red yarn. My smaller rags are made with 3\16th inch backer rod. To make your rags thread the yarn through the middle of the backer rod( for larger rags use about 3\4 inch to 1 inch sections of rod and for smaller clear water rags use about 1\8
inch to 1\4 inch )with a large needle. Trim yarn to desired length.