The second lure is a "Tiny Torpedo" or anything in the likeness thereof, also in some shad color. And that's it: Anything else will shortly be living on borrowed time because of the timber on bottom.

For fly-fishing, use size 4 poppers during periods with what appear to be normal water levels and size 6 when it's a bit low or very clear. Both are big enough to appeal to the bass, yet not too large to deter the belligerent longears. Yellow and black is a good all-round color combo. I serve them on a short 5-weight stick that is over-lined one size, since casts are often quite short and accuracy is most important. Leaders in the 8- to 9-foot range and tapered to a 12-pound point are adequate. With poppers, mono is to be preferred to fluorocarbon.

Begin by working upstream -- against the current. Take your time and scrutinize the water ahead of you closely. The best water is from generally 2 to 4 feet deep, protected somewhat from the current, and shaded. Remember those three parameters, and prospect any water that suits them.

Typically it will occur in turns in the streambed, with the outside of the turn being deepest. That's good water if it isn't too deep; so is the shallower stretch just downstream of the point on the inside of the turn. Also, the abrupt changes in depth found at both the upstream and downstream limits of these "pools" make good feeding stations for the bass. Work the fly in such a manner as it drifts with the current through these areas.

Midstream snags that have been washed out to the appropriate depths by the current are another form of structure that should be prospected in these streams. So are the upcurrent edges of logjams, especially those that are foamy and that have collected assorted odds and ends and pieces of debris. Actually, those seem to be no-brainers, since they also collect different forms of prey, and the bass know it. Drift your popper into such a setting -- wiggling it occasionally as you do -- and you are almost guaranteed a strike!

On the other hand, short sequences of moderately soft pops with brief pauses in between them are the standard drill. These fish eat more crawfish than most Cajuns do, and since crawfish are most often found on bottom, you must draw the fish's attention to the surface.

If there's one rule for fishing creeks everywhere, it's this: If a bass knows you're around, it won't strike. Period! Take it to the bank! Therefore, you should wade slowly to prevent making waves that will alert the fish, and in reaches that permit it, get out of the water entirely in order to approach and prospect a good-looking spot. Use shoreline cover whenever possible -- and wear the camouflage shirt you normally wear for September dove-hunting. Finally, if your cast is a bit off-target, don't immediately snatch the fly back for another try; that will spook every fish nearby. Instead, allow the current to drift the fly a short distance away from the spot -- 10 feet or so seems adequate. Then pick it up and try again. All of that is to keep the fish from becoming suspicious that something just ain't quite right.

Follow the rules, and you stand a very good chance of enjoying that reward on any of these five creeks. One of them -- Sixmile -- has had such a noted population of these fish that it was the source of a scientific study by Wildlife and Fisheries biologist Dudley Carver. Another -- Whiskey Chitto -- has long been proclaimed as one of the best float streams in the state; its upper reaches make a fine wading creek, too. And if you want a real challenge, Drake's Creek will assuredly fill the bill. It's pretty small, but it's pretty, and it has some pretty spots in it.

Whichever ones you choose, remember: They're basically five of a kind. That's a hard hand to beat -- both in poker and in creek-fishing!