Hey screaminreelron, --- Glad you got your gear back. You were catching done for dogs. They ain't got much fight left once they are holding in their spawing ground. When you finally hook a hot one you'll be impressed.

FLYGUY, --- It doesn't matter what angle you hold your rod. As long as you put pressure on them they'll head the other way. If you can get below them they'll head up river.

If you free spool your line, I mean give them total slack, they will sometimes quit running and get back in the migrating upstream mode.

If you've got strong enough line you can often yank hard enough to point them upstream when they jump.

For the most part it is simply a tug of war and the stronger player wins.

Strong line rules for bank fishermen. - Plunker