If fishing is allowed in Heaven, I can picture clean water flowing across a streambed of limestone and dolomite, with the water speeding up and slowing down as it moves through riffles, runs and pools. Smallmouth bass love exposed bedrock—especially terraced ledges located in deeper water.

Anglers want and need a boulder-strewn river with mature trees growing along its banks. The beauty is, we can often find our own bit of Heaven not too far from home. Many rivers and streams flowing often unnoticed around us offer some of the finest smallmouth fishing in the Midwest.

Timing can be a challenge. You cannot just show up to any stream, in any season, and expect to do well. Spring is the easiest time to find smallies migrating upstream to spawn.

Depth is the key; waist-deep water with some current will do. Water tolerable to stand in is fast enough. Whitewater is not necessary.

Stick to the basics with your presentations and you will fare well. Place an effective presentation in their face, so close that no smallmouth can refuse. Fancast to find the fish as you move upstream.

Smallmouth bass are not going to plow a wake to inspect a distant lure. Nor can you expect them to leave the security of a current break to strike a surface lure at high noon. Instinct shuns such behavior—actions not prone to enhance growth and survival. Dusk and dawn, or the deep shade near the bank, is more suited to topwater.

When fishing clear water, you may notice that the largest bass move the least distance to strike. You have one shot at them in pressured water. A smaller bass may strike more than once and often follows for several feet.

Presentation accuracy depends on the lure, the line, and the retrieve you use. Flowing water changes the dynamics of how your tackle performs.

Go with the tackle you are comfortable with, be it spinning, spincasting or baitcasting; it helps when learning the traits of a river. A 6- to 7-foot rod will do fine under average conditions; consider using a shorter rod if you’re fishing from the bank and casting clearance is restricted in places. A longer rod increases casting distance when wading or in a kayak.

Line is a matter of preference. Braid, monofilament, and fluorocarbon perform differently in flowing water. Plain old monofilament works for me. I have done well with 6-pound test when using 3-inch minnow baits and small crayfish imitators. I trim and re-tie knots after a large fish to keep the line fresh and strong. There will be rivers where 8- to 10-pound line and heavier lures are more appropriate.

Soft plastics shine. I prefer modest sizes on a 1/8-ounce jig head. Occasionally, I go with a Carolina rig with an 1/8-ounce slip sinker. Carolina rigs can reduce snags in rocky areas where jigs snag too often.

There is no wrong lure to use! I rely on slow-and-steady retrieves along the bottom. If you are a crankbait fan, a crayfish bait or square bill bumping a large rock rarely misses.

Depending on water temperature, pre-spawn activity can begin as early as April. As fish begin their way to the spawning grounds, they feed with earnest—not only to restore energy lost over the winter, but stock up for the rigor of spawning. It is my favorite time to be wearing chest waders.

For more insight and tips for fishing throughout the year, check out the articles in every issue of MidWest Outdoors, available by subscribing on our website.