I have seen conflicting studies in the amount bass move yearly in current.  Some say they stay local others say they migrate downstream to deeper water.  In small feeder creeks/rivers were bass have to travel 5-10 miles to get to deep water(8 ft), will they? I am in a slump fishing backwaters,but love the scenery and privacy as compared to major lakes.  Just wondering if I should relocate until water temperatures come up. In other words, is it possible to catch fish in a small flowing river/creek without deep water year round?

I don't know where you are or what is in your creeks, but Smallmouth move out of the creeks in late fall to their winter holding areas. How far they travel depends on how far they have to go to get to habitat that suits them.  Some creeks have those spots. Dams on the rivers will limit how far they go to.

Sorry I am in central Alabama, so relatively mild water temperatures year round. 

check out post by a jay on finding winter bass under general forum 3rd page. by greg hackney ,good read!