Must-do spring adventure: Pulling giant channel cats out of small streams

LOCATION

Look for tributaries that are slow moving and silty, with lots of bends and downed timber. The depth can range from three to 15 feet, with the cats usually in the deepest holes. Some of the best spots in the river are on outside bends, where the current digs out deeper holes. These corner holes also collect debris deposited by winter runoff and spring rains, and anywhere there are logjams and the water is slightly deeper, there are bound to be cats.

Likewise, don’t ignore midstream current breaks, resulting from a single log, rock or even a sunken picnic table. Provided there is a little bit of depth, channel cats will hold behind the obstruction.