I started fishing for smallies back in the late 60's early 70's. We used to fish primarily below Scott's Ford for trout and smallies. Since I grew up fly fishing that's what we did. Buggers and hoppers. Later when I could drive myself and went with my buddies I made a Fenwick ultralight rod. Then it was marabou jigs and trout worms like they sell at the trout parks. Although the trout worms would catch small fish they were deadly on big fish too. We never kept a fish in all those years.
Once I could drive and could afford the gas my focus switched to the While and Norfork for what Gavin refers to as ditch pigs.