find some slow water , dam, i dont fancy your chances in fast water , dont think im your man really as my rods dont come out on my local rivers round Bolton in winter as there aint much there , in summer when im in France they will be out again , but my summer fishing tactics , mainly in the margins / snags are completely unsuitable in fast water , your wasting time and money throwing any freebies into moving water , at best you might get a few bits stuck between rocks and pebbles , if thats what the bottom is , if you find a good size deep hole , trough on the river bottom and you can land some bait in it , you could be onto a winner , simple rigs , big leads , warm clothes and a big flask of hot stuff ! must admit im waiting for some clear crisp winter mornings to do a bit of dead baiting for pike !
Good luck !