From the benchWith the river running low and clear at 1,380 cfs, stealth is everything — approach wading runs from downstream, keep a low profile, and extend your leader to at least 9 feet with a 4X tippet for surface work. Focus your morning session on rocky flats and current seams between 5:30 and 10 AM before the storm threat builds; smallmouth will be actively feeding in the overcast pre-front conditions. If you're throwing streamers, work the Coffey's Sparkle Minnow or Sculpzilla on a sink-tip with a slow, bottom-hugging retrieve — pause it behind every boulder and let it breathe before the next strip. Get off the water by noon ahead of Sunday's thunderstorms and plan a follow-up session Monday morning when the river may be slightly stained and fish are fired up post-front.