Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2021 - 41

Once you have reached the end of your
junction hole drift, rather than firing up the
outboard to run upstream for another pass,
use either the electric trolling motor or the
outboard motor to creep back upriver. Cast
behind the boat with enough line for the
jig to be near the bottom. You may need to
use a heavier jig. For example, a 3/8-ounce jig
for the upriver drag and ¼-ounce jig for the
downriver drift. In this case, have a second
rod rigged.
Like the upriver jerkbait slow trolling
tactic, the upriver jig drift often takes the
biggest Walleyes of the day.
The Rapala X-Rap Deep 10 and Bomber Suspending Pro Long A both excel
at upriver slow trolling.
having a jerkbait hovering in front of fish that triggers the
bigger Walleyes.
The upriver jig drag
A classic river Walleye location is where a large creek joins
a larger river. On the lower Allegheny River good examples
include the junctions of Buffalo Creek, Crooked Creek and
Mahoning Creek.
Walleyes often gather in deeper water in proximity to
junction holes. While there may be a good twilight bite at the
creek's mouth, fish can be taken by drifting with the current
during the day in the adjacent water. Jigs are fished vertically
as the boat drifts with the flow.
If there is not too much current, it is often possible to drag
the jig back upriver-behind the boat-once you covered the
prime area during the downriver drift. This option is only
viable when river flows are normal to low. At higher flows,
the jig will not reach bottom with a reasonable amount of line
out. The same holds true regarding depth. This works best in
depths of 15 feet or less.
The back eddy circle
Another classic late season river Walleye
location is the pool formed below a rock
or gravel bar. Again, using the Allegheny River as
an example, such places exist near Garretts Run and
Lowrey Run.
Such rock or gravel bars function as wing dams of
sorts, pushing the river's force away from the bank. The
pool below often is in the form of an eddy, where the
" outside " of the pool has a mild, downstream current,
but near the bank, the current washes back upriver.
As a river Walleye angler, use this dynamic to your
advantage. Work with the current along the outside
current seam, drifting downriver while presenting a
vertical jig. As you reach the end of the pool, the current
will swing toward the shore and wash back upriver. If
there is enough water to float the boat, go with this flow,
and allow the boat to drift upriver. Short casts out into
the pool can be made as you cover the water missed
during the downriver drift.
Wind plays havoc with this approach, but it is an
efficient and effective way of working an eddy pool
when conditions are good.
Jigs dressed with either soft plastics or natural minnows may be used for both the upriver jig drag and the back eddy circle.
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2021

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