I start in mid March throwing 1/8 oz jigs. I fish 1/8 oz tubes and jigs on through June unless the water is up then I move up to 1/4. Any natural colors seem to work well, with green pumpkin taking the cake. I wade 90% of the time but I do float if I have all day to fish. The river is awesome. The numbers really pick up in April and May. But I like the early time for my big fish. I have fished them during the spawn and caught some monsters, but the traffic keeps me away now. Target water with deep holes near gravel bars or rocky bottom near sand and you'll do great. Ice white baby flukes also work great worked on top. I mostly try this later on into the summer but it'll work most of the spring and fall to.
Very your retrieve. Crawl it on the bottom and feel every rock. Or bounce it aggressively like a fleeing crawfish. I like to work a tube slowly up to a sand or gravel bar and then swim it across the bar and watch the aggressive guys swim up and catch it on the bar.
There are some pigs lurkin in there.
