Small rivers simple tactics unbridled joy

So last year I dedicated my summer to back to the basics stress free wade fishing, going back to school cornered me into selling my boat so I had to come up with something, I grew up on a small river in west central Wisconsin and fished it EVERYDAY and usually caught a ton of fish, opening day brought a very unfamiliar home water and easily half of the holes I used to fish gone or totally changed but what I got was a totally new exciting river with all the same fish, after a few early successes I explored more stretches and different rivers and it seemed like every trip turned into absolute melee hand to fin [censored] kickin, no fancy tackle or dealing with weekend warrior jerks, downsize your tackle too, i went down go a six foot light and a 1000 series shimano loaded with 6 lb which makes every fish a fight especially the muskies and cats, and for tackle a couple packs of sassy shads, some twister tails, a deli container of 1/8 oz jigs and maybe a couple original floaters, just wanted to share this revelation not specific rivers or techniques but a recipe for happiness, with spring and eventually summer coming think about throwing on the cutoffs lacing up the tennies and wading some small water

Sounds like you found a great way to fish. I agree whole-heartedly that going back to the basics can be a rewarding adventure. I fish some smaller waters and find a great deal of peace doing it.

My wife loves the smell of my tennis shoes I wore to the river the night before if I left them inside accidentally!
Awesome looking fish and love that stringer of walleyes looking forward to doing what you spoke of and take my rod to the river here this summer as well. Good luck in school!

Great post! I think wading or drifting small rivers is my favorite way to fish even though I spend most of my time on bigger water.

Wading the smaller creeks and the rivers here and you get some nice smallies and holes with catfish in them that haven’t seen a hook all summer.