Tietje begins his muddy water search halfway back in the aforementioned creeks. The farther he goes back in the creek, the muddier and the less worthwhile the water.

"You've got to remember, too, that muddy water fish will get shallow even if it's cold," Tietje concluded. "If you've been catching fish in 10 feet, and your area gets muddy, get up there and try in 2 feet of water. You don't have to go searching for clear water, because those fish will still bite in the mud -- if you make the proper adjustments."