Is it better to cast downstream and bring your lure back up or cast upstream and bring it down?

I fish with my lure going down current most of the time on streams that are fast.

If the stream or river has little current I fan cast.

Personally I like to cast upstream, I am usually getting some sort of bait down on the bottom, usually a jig, I like to bring it back scuffing the rocks on the way, especially if there is a fair amount of current, if there is little current and depth, top water flies or small crankbaits are my favorites.

I cast downstream. If it is a fast moving stream and you cast upstream it will bring your lure back to quick and keep you on a slack line so it is harder to feel if you have a bite.

I fan cast, as much as possible, changing my retrieve according to where i am in the stream.

Fan cast for the most part but when i'm using plastics or jigs I always fish upstream. Remember, smallmouth are like trout in that they are predatory fish and they face against the current waiting for bait to drift or swim by. If you bring something up behind them, you'll most likely spook them rather than get a reactionary bite.

I cast upstream and let it drift down while fly fishing but with spinners and crankbait's I cast downstream and bring it up.