One of the most effective techniques for catching Smallmouth Bass is in the flowing water of a river or stream. Smallmouth can be fished for in much the same way that one fishes for trout. As a matter of fact, smallmouth bass in rivers and streams can be great practice for trout fishing. The bottom line is that if you strap on your waders and head out for some Smallmouth action, this technique is for you. Not only is this a great smallmouth technique, it's also as simple as it gets.

To use this technique, you're only going to need 4 things, and a river or stream that has smallmouth bass in it! You're going to need small barrel swivels, Split shot sinkers, gang hooks, and live worms. You should also have things like hemostats for hook removal, a bait bag for carrying your live worms, and a good attitude, but the 4 things above (in bold) are the only things you need. It doesn't get much simpler than that. This technique truly is the essence of simplicity, and once mastered, is an incredible technique for all types of fish.

Begin by grabbing the end of your line, and tying on a small barrel swivel. Now tie a set of gang hooks on the opposite side of the barrel swivel. Now add two or three split shots onto your line above the swivel itself (you need enough weight to get you to the bottom, so this varies by how much current you're fishing in). Now, add a live worm to the set of gang hooks. If the worm is huge, break it in half. You want the worm to be outstretched and natural. This is the rig. It's as simple as that.

Now cast out parallel to yourself and let the offering flow downstream naturally. The goal is to bounce your offering off of the bottom, as it flows naturally downstream. When your offering is directly below you, the drift is over, reel in and repeat. With practice, the bottom and bites feel totally different. Remember, the goal is to bounce your worm off the bottom as it flows naturally with the current. In order to do this you will have to add and/or remove split shot as necessary. The nature of this technique does lead to getting snagged from time to time. As my mentor used to tell me all the time, " If your not getting snagged, you're not fishing in the right place." Getting snagged is simply part of the technique, and no big deal once you see how effective it is.

Give this wonderful, yet amazingly simple technique a try sooner rather than later. As soon as you hook and land a 3-pound smallmouth bass, you'll be the one that's hooked, rather than just the fish. This technique is equally as effective on trout, so keep that in mind as well. The most important aspect of this technique is the gang hooks. You see, gang hooks enable you to present the worm in a completely natural manner, which as you will find is an integral part of this technique.