What depth progression should I use to drift salmon through a pool using a float rig?

🎣 Great question for mid-spring salmon pools. A deliberate depth progression helps you cover the water column as fish move with current and temperature shifts. Here’s a practical ladder you can start with, then tailor to your pool depth and clarity.

• Deeply shallow start (Step 1): 1–2 ft below the surface. Drift along the head of the pool and along the seam where faster water meets slower pockets. This tests whether surface-to-midwater bites are active.
• Mid shallow (Step 2): 2–3 ft. Move downstream a bit and test the mid-column near eddies and inside bends. This accounts for fish that sit just under the surface but still respond to drifts.
• Mid-depth (Step 3): 3–5 ft. This covers the typical mid-water column in many spring pools, especially when water is cooler and fish aren’t hugging bottom. Look for slow seams and bucket-shaped pockets where salmon tend to hold.
• Deeper (Step 4): 5–7 ft (or deeper if the pool is long and very deep). If the water is clear and the current is steady, some fish will sit toward the lower portion of the water column or near the bottom in slow runs.

Tip: use a sliding float so you can dial in depth quickly. Start with light shot to pull the bait to the first two feet, then add or redistribute weight to reach the next depth tier without snagging bottom.

How to adjust on the water

• If you see fish rising or if the float twitches but you miss the bite, shift up one depth tier (shallower) and give that zone another pass.
• If you’re getting snaggy or the float rides high in the water, drop 6–12 inches to keep the lure in the productive band without getting snagged.
• If the pool is particularly deep, you may need to target the mid-to-lower column more aggressively; don’t be afraid to skip a shallow depth if you’re not seeing action.

Rig and drift notes

• Rig: a sliding float rig with a light weight lets you dial depth precisely. Keep a crisp, readable drift—no yanking, just a steady downstream motion so the float presents naturally.
• Leader and line: use a sturdy, sensitive leader (roughly 8–15 lb class) with a fluorocarbon or mono trace to maintain an honest feel of bites. Match with a mainline that handles the river’s current.
• Presentation: cast across or slightly downstream, let the float start its drift, then use a slow, controlled downstream mend to keep the bait in the target depth band.

Seasonal context

• Mid-spring rivers can be clear to lightly stained; the depth bands above commonly produce bites as fish transition through pools during run timing. Each pool varies, so use this as a framework and adjust depth by 0.5–1 ft increments based on bite history.

If you want a quick gear anchor, these floats are solid options for adjustable depth rigs: Dr.Fish Oval Foam Floats (30 pack).

Bottom line: start shallow, steadily probe deeper in 1–2 ft steps, and let the bite tell you which depth is hottest. Stay patient, stay steady, and trust the drift. You’ve got this — tight lines and good luck out there! 🌊🐟