I too do do most of my bowfishing on rivers and creeks. The creek I have had luck on was about 3 foot deep where the fish were. If the fish would come up(they never do) I would miss alot less. I can put the shaft right where I want to above the water, but with the refraction business, well I miss more than I hit. I have to aim approximately 3 foot low!!! How strong is the current? That is also a factor, I was on the potomac and the water was only 3-4 feet deep, and I kept hitting behind them, couldnt figure out why. Let me give you a hint, dad had the 55lb thrust trolling motor at full blast and we were inching upstream, or actually more like keeping still, so that water was trucking through there. So keep that in mind too!