First off, I choose a section of river that I already know well, if I am fishing local rivers.Local for me by the way is NW Oregon coast. I spend 2-4 days a week fishing so I have favorite spots on most of the rivers I fish. Alot of times knowledge of which areas fish well at a certain level is important, that is #1. I do not flock to the crowds-they can have the hatchery water! My thing is to stay mobile!! I never fish a hole more than an hour-period!! Unless I am hooking a fish every 15-20 minutes or situations warrant the time.That is rare. I too rarely come home without having had something pull on my line-but, I know when to stay home too!! Versatilty/mobility is the key to my success. I often times carry 2 poles so I can fish jigs,bobber and bait, spinners/spoons,drifters whatever I want without having to spend to much time re-rigging my outfit. TIP: Fish the ugliest water w/yarn-only costs you a hook and the fish gotta come through it! Sometimes that the only fish of the day.

Crayfin