Smallmouths need cooler water with high oxygen levels. Look downstream of the rapids or rimes, where water scours out a deep pool. That is where you will find the smallmouths. Fish them with ultra-light tackle. Experiment with Mepps spinners and rooster tail spinners in assorted colors.
Popular colors are silver bodies with brown skirts.
Small rebel lures and broken back minnows will entice a bite from a smallmouth. So will a live crawfish. Uwharrie smallmouth tend to be smaller. Most commonly caught size is around 12 to 14 inches. A two-pounder is a trophy smallmouth in the Uwharrie River.