Ya, I've been a knife-o-holic for years! You get what you pay for. I'm liking SOG blades too, my Vulcan folder & Gov-Tac bowie. http://www.newgraham.com/detail.aspx?ID=44269
Dang..river smallies is a whole other critter.
Use a sinking line in the deeper pools & try a streamer or woolly bugger. Dark patterns are good. Obviously in flat calm shallows a popper can be deadly but the majority of food is Minnows,craws & nymphs near bottom rocks.