When looking at a map, a river just seems like a squiggly blue line that goes on forever and ever. Don't be fooled though, there are a lot of details that goes into every river and an angler must know what to look for to have success on the water.
Below we'll cover some of the basics that make up the majority of North American rivers to ensure you're prepared to rip some lips on your next fishing trip.
Point Bar
Better known as a 'point' by most anglers, point bars can be found all throughout a river. Wherever a river has a bend in it, or meanders, you'll find a point.
Points appear as if they stick out in the river and are usually made up of loose sand, silt, or small river rocks.
You can expect shallow water directly around a point with sloping banks that make way to deeper water where the river channel is.
If the point bar has a sharp enough break in it this can make for good ambush points for predatory fish.
Cutbank
The cutbank is just about the exact opposite of the point bar.
The cutbank is on the opposite side of the river from the point and is a part of a river system that typically has a little bit stronger current and deeper water. A river channel will flow very close to each cutbank in a river system.
Due to the stronger current you can also expect some water erosion which leads to a vertical river banks, or bluffs.
Cutbanks typically offer great fishing opportunities, especially for smallmouth bass and catfish. The stronger currents make it much easier for small forms of bait (minnows, insects) to be carried by the faster flow and eventually into the mouths of larger fish.
Mending your line is very important when fishing a cutbank. Try and keep a high rod tip with little to no slack line. This will limit the effects of slack line disrupting the natural flowing presentation of your lure with the current.
Rapids, Riffles, and Pools
Rapids are formed when there is a steep gradient that results in a faster and more turbulent flow of water.
Riffles are the result of shallow water running over top of and around a patch of rocks or boulders.
Both rapids and riffles agitate water flow in the river system which tends to erode part of the river bottom towards the end of the riffles. This often results in a deeper pool of water at the end of them called a pool.
Be sure to fish these pools when you cross them.
Take note though that these places often require you to anchor down if there is no eddy or area of the river that has slower moving water.
Pools at the end of riffles offer many fishing opportunities of multiple species of fish (bass, crappie, trout, and catfish) that hang out waiting for their next meal.
Eddy
An eddy is a part of the river that has a swirling, backflow of water. These often are seen after a set of rapids or riffles where there is a break in the river or where a narrow section of the river opens up into a wider section.
Eddies tend to be a very productive place for catching fish and should always be sought after by anglers.
From a fishes perspective, eddies offer relief from the current and allow for ambush points. Fish will tend to position themselves behind the obstacle(s) that aides in creating the eddy where the water is standing relatively still and wait for feeding opportunities.
As an angler, it's often best to use the current to your advantage and fish a lure that will drift right past or down into an eddy. If the fish are staged as described above you can expect to get bit.
Run
A run, also known as a "stretch", is a part of the river with smooth flowing water. Runs can mostly be considered the area of the river in between the riffles. Some runs may be relatively short in length (100 yards) or be as long as a few miles.
In general, runs have slower flowing water. This is a great time to target any obstacles or cover (exposed boulders, fallen/flooded trees) to catch fish.
Fish can be scattered throughout runs due to the slower moving water allowing them to freely roam.
Use the slower moving water to take time and scan your surroundings. These areas of the river will have the most vegetation in and around them. Expect to see patches of grass or lily pads depending on what the river you're fishing is known for. Where there is vegetation there is the oxygen-rich water so expect fish to be near by.
Many rivers run through farm land or residential properties so if you see a boat dock or man made structure you can assume there are bait fish and larger fish in those areas as well.
Take advantage of the opportunity and make a few casts!
Obstacles
Like mentioned above, obstacles can be anything in the river that disturbs natural water flow.
The most common obstacles you'll come across in the river are boulders, flooded/fallen trees, docks, and bridge columns. But don't limit yourself to those. It's not uncommon to see half sunken boats, tractor tires, or even lawn chairs in the water.
All of the above mentioned provided great holding places for fish of all sizes.
When fishing obstacles try and understand how they affect the flow of water. Does water flow around them? Does water flow mostly under or through them? These are the questions to ask yourself before making a cast.
Take fallen or flooded timber for example. Water may be flowing around them or perhaps through them depending on how the tree limbs or root systems change how the object lays in the water.
Making note of these small details can help aid in how you set up your fishing vessel for the purpose of casting and having the right presentation.
Don't Forget!
Regardless of what river you're fishing, always pay careful attention to how the flow of water is being affected. All of the above listed sections impact how the river flows which ultimately impacts a fishes position, movement and feeding patterns.
Now go catch em'!
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