To fish in fast water for trout I used a small little assortment of kit.
Small rod
Fixed spool reel
2 or 3 pound line
small 1 or 1/2 0r 1/4 ounce leads- cylinder ones or round balls to roll along the riverbed, squarish "coffin" ones to grip it more to stay in one place. (weight depending on state of water level and strength)
lead shot to fix position of lead sinker (12 - 18" leader)
small hooks 14/16/18 (approx 2-3 mm accross there throat)
Surgical forceps (Hook removaling)
Little worms out the auction mart dung heap or bigger lob worms out of garden/river banks/woods; wasp grub a good trout bait too
Relied mostly on touch to detect bites especially in flood water when they would find little eddies and quiet spots near the banks
Good fish are often close by (within handline range if you aint got a rod and reel in your kit)
My best out the local river (avg 8-12" long) was almost 19", and I got that on a
size 22 with a worm's collar bait while getting a few minners (for dead-bait). Literally inches from river side, and that fish was
mad Gave me a
filthy look as it popped its head out the water then tried to run into sunken branches. Hooked right in the corner of its jaws. Netted it in the end though.
Free-line fishing even more direct-you fasten a hook on your line, add a bait (I used lobworm - decent weight) gently swing it out into the swim and let the current move it towards fish
If you aint got the r&r, as was suggested then try using a whippy green branch to get more control and direction.
Sometimes you see a eddy or little spot behind some rocks and you almost certain theres a fish there, great buzz of anticipation as you plop the bait, and guide it around, and when a fish takes, hoo-hoo as Homer simpson says.
Mostly youve just got to be quiet, patient, stay low and hidden so the fish arent spooked by your silhouette. Might be of some help.
Good luck, and "tight lines".
:wave: