Floats are VERY effective in small rivers. I have a lamiglas jig rod (9'6" pro graphite) that I use quite a bit on smaller Olympic rivers. I run a bobber stop with beads and a balsa float with another bead next to swivel. I use 12lb mainline. Then I run a 10lb leader of about 12-16in off the swivel. Then, depending on conditions and such I'll either run eggs, sandshrimp, corkie/yarn setup, or preferably jigs. I have caught most of major species of salmonoids on jigs in the coastal rivers. They really seem to slam them hard, you almost think you ran over a snag until you set back on the rod. I rarely use the corkie/yarn set up but a jig laced with a sandshrimp tail seems to work pretty well too. I myself try to adjust so I'm just above bottom. I like my jig/lure to be floating just above holding level since fish usually are looking upwards. For me it works well and I have no complaints. Hell, I was jig fishing for steelies on the Nooch' when my float went down, caught a nice 18lb Chum on a jig. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks (sorry for the pun). I'd say give it a go....tight lines....

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