Good pointers. In fast water when I want to get the spoon on the bottom quickly, I'll cast slightly upstream. I've been using a 2/5-ounce plain matte silver spoon, which has brought big strikes on a few occasions on the Sol Duc. I'm going to give some 2/3-ounce spoons a try in fast, deeper water, but the 2/5 ounce will by my basic spoon. Herzog recommends the matte silver finish in water with good visibility (3 to 6 feet, as I recall), and he's made me a believer. I've also just gotten a Pen-Tac spoon with a combination (half and half) shiny silver and gold finish, but they are quite expensive. I'll be giving them a sustained try on my next fishing trip. (I'll try not to cry when I lose one.) Also, Herzog says never to use less than 10-pound or 12-pound test line (I can't remember which) due to the ferocity of many strikes on a spoon. I've been using Izorline XXX 12-pound test on a spinning reel.