Intruder with a single hook, I don't see why a  rapala with a treble or a single would be an effective snagging tool, the lure jerks this way and that way, but I'm never looking for a way to snag a fish.  And I am completely in agreement that along the undercuts is targeting fresh or holding fish or dropbacks, but if you get upsteam from a redd and let the lure wobble down in, watch out for the Males.  The most effective snaggers I've seen are still the old ESLO Steelhead winners who could outfish a cricket snagger with a Size 2 single and some split shot, and were a big part of the reason there are no tributaries allowed in the derby now.
 
I'm also pointing out that wherever you are on the slope, if it is slippery, eventually everyone ends up at the bottom.
 
L13

Agreed, i would think its pretty **** hard to snag with a rapala... all the effort youd have to put in to it while reeling it in from straight downstream is easy enough and sometimes highly effective

The guys I spoke about in the trib were NOT appearing to be doing any lifting or snagging. They were casting about and working the lures appearing to fish them nicely in all directions..
 Just wondered about it and thought about the 'possibility' of trebbles whipping back and forth in all the right places.
 Just not my cupa tea in smaller waters.

I've watched drift boat snag and line steelhead and salmon on redds with lures like rapala's, smithwicks, banana type lures, hot shots and more.
Watch as they sit on anchor and drop an oar to make the boat swing dragging the plugs across the redd.
I have watched guys Genesee power troll upstream dragging stick baits tail to head though schools of kings.
Your arm might get tired reaching and changing hands to reach the other way but it could be done I'm sure.
Much easier from a boat.
Really its was the high speed crankers that got those lures (with trebles) banned at certain times.