Probably spent some time on the exact places you are talking about. I'm also assuming you are doing alot of lindy rig style dead stick fishing. Sometimes it's best to admit you are in a horrible spot and need to move a bit, many times 10 feet either direction works. Mostly though these things help the most: don't cast out more than 25 feet or so, it really isnt necessary to catch fish. Never cast upstream, all your do is catch everything in the river stuck in front of you. Cast straight out so the distance the line travels in the water is less. Its generally impossible to stop the bow in your line in the current out here unless you want to be out there fishing walleyes with paddlefish gear, don't let the bow get out of control try to use an angle more than more weight. If I have to use more than an ounce sinker it starts getting on my nerves. Also if you have a rocky and snaggy bottom don't slow retireve, you either have a bite or you don't and reel fast to keep your line from getting into the underwater ledge. Keep that rod high. If you are able to find a suitable spot with sand or mud then do whatever you'd like, I like to use the least weight I can get away with based on the current, even a slow roll with the sinker can be great. Good luck, exploring can definitely pay off!