It’s all about confidence in you and your equipment. I’ve fished the river when people thought we were crazy with no issues and caught good fish. Flooding causes our target fish too be in the eddies and slack water. Makes it a little easier too find them. Being able too stay on spot while catching them can get tricky in heavy currents. Never fish a high and flowing river by yourself, also whoever is with you should be able too operate the equipment as well.
Barge traffic in heavy current should get your upmost respect and as wide a berth as you can safely give the. Nothing like witnessing a tug with a half dozen barges attached get spun around in a 180 from where they should be.
Floating debris are fairly easy too spot, always have your partner on the watch out as well. We have hand signals that point where we should turn too. You’d be amazed as too what them can see from their side that you didn’t. Submerged debris is a whole different ball game. Lots of logs and other items just below the surface, so slow down and keep a watchful eye.
This link will be a good barometer for your river trips. This is the Cumberland pool which is probably below you as you’re probably closer too the Montgomery pool.
https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=pbz&gage=ncuw2