Chip,

From your description of the stream, it sounds like the type of stream that gradient or current increases may cause more problems than it solves. The way to get a general idea of this is to determine what "stream type" you are dealing with. A rather well known hydrologist named Dave Rosgen developed a stream classification system that enables you to predict, in a general sense, how different types of channels behave and respond to disturbance. From your brief description, and my experience with Montana streams, my hunch is that you are dealing with an "E" type channel. If so, the best thing that you can do is enjoy the fishing, and don't mess with it. If it is a "C" type channel, there may be a few things that you can do.

Mr. Rosgen published a paper a few years ago that describes the general sense of how to go about channel classification, and gives you a general idea of how they can be expected to behave. If you go to the website "wildland hydrology.com", then click on "references" in the upper right hand corner, then scroll down until you see "stream classification", and then click on "A classification of natural rivers", a PDF file will open up of the published paper that I referred to.

I recommend that you read this paper carefully, and then go out and determine what type of channel you are dealing with, and then send me another message here describing what you found. Then we can engage in a discussion of what the range of appropriate "enhancements" that you may want to do in his stream segment. If nothing else, you should really enjoy reading the channel classification paper and find it very useful in your everday observation of streams and rivers.

Good luck, and let me know if I can be of any further assistance. -- Rick