Can a bank angler outfish a drift boat? In most cases, no.

In streams that are small and shallow, bank-anglers have a considerable advantage over boat anglers. Photo by David Johnson.

Access is one of the biggest advantages a boat has over the bank-bound angler. The shorelines on many of rivers' lower reaches are largely private property.

A drift boat can also cover a lot of water. When fish are spread out, the more water you can cover, the better are your odds of putting your bait or lure in front of a fish.

WHEN A BANK'S BETTER
But there are times and places that bank anglers can do very, very well -- and have a good chance to outfish a boat angler.

What are some of the advantages of bank-fishing?

1) Hatchery Access
At most hatcheries, there is a "hatchery hole" at the deadline that has public access.

These places can be extremely crowded, often shoulder-to-shoulder. But when the fish are coming in, they can be very rewarding. After all, this is where the fish are returning.

I like to fish these areas as much for the socializing as for the fish I catch. After you've fished a spot several times, you'll begin recognizing other anglers, and soon it's easy to be considered a regular yourself.

Don't be bashful. Strike up a conversation with the fishermen near you and share some fish stories. Many times, you can learn useful tips and locations this way.

I have fond memories of sharing coffee and the warmth of an early-morning streamside fire.

But admittedly, I usually can take standing in one spot and casting over and over again for a few hours only. (Continued)

These fisheries can get crowded, so it's advisable to get there early. Don't expect get a good spot if you show up right at daylight. Getting there up to several hours before daybreak is sometimes what it takes.

I like to take note of which spots produce the best under different water conditions and return to those spots at the appropriate times.

Since they're usually crowded, you should follow some rules of etiquette. Practice "When in Rome . . . " -- that is, use the same technique that everyone else is using. If everybody is drift-fishing, don't step in and fish with a bobber.

Also, get into the rhythm of casting when the guy upstream of you is reeling in. This will really help you both avoid crossing lines and getting into a lot of tangles. If you're new to a spot, don't be afraid to ask questions.

Mainly because the water is usually fairly fast in places like this, drift-fishing is usually the method of choice. These locations are usually most productive just as the rivers drop into shape and when fish are racing to the hatchery.

I prefer to use 10- to 12-pound-test with a 10-pound leader, a 1/0 hook and winners, cheaters and corkies ahead of yarn and bait like eggs and sand shrimp. Having a few kinds of scents along may give you an advantage over the guy next to you. I like thick, sticky scents like Pro-Cure Super Gel and Smelly Jelly in shrimp, sand shrimp, anise, krill or crawfish.

To carry all that you'll need, wear a fishing vest or at least a coat with lots of big pockets. It pays to have all your gear on you or very nearby and to have all your leaders pre-tied and ready to use as you break off. Store them in a Pips leader dispenser or a Finsport leader wallet.

Since it's going to be fairly crowded, when you get hung up, don't mess around too long with trying to un-snag your rig. Instead, break off the line and re-tie so that others around you can continue to fish.