Lat Ti Dat Ti Daa

[Zach Bearden]

Well, today mom and I went out down to the Watts Property. I started out fishing Hopper Dropper and caught a double on my first cast! WOOT! I then hopped on down to that first big riffle and started casting a single biot nymph that I tied. I missed a fish or two (darned curly Q) and then started hooking up. That riffle has been pretty much washed out. The deepest part I found was about calf deep. I kept hooking up and soon enough I had someone ask me what I was using. I let them have the fly I was using and he went on down and started fishing. I stayed in my hole and caught a few more.

Later on I went back up to the top and watched as a few fish rose here and there. I made a cast with my little four wt. and BAM! I had a nice hookup! It felt like a tarpon on that four. He jumped, and got a few peoples attention when he slapped back down on the water. He pulled off about 60 more feet of line before he jumped for a second time and destroyed my little 2lb tippet. I would guess him to be about 3lbs. Great fish. My end total: about nine.

We then went down to T&M where I polish nymphed all the little pockets and such with a frenchy where I pulled out a total of seven. If you use indicators and split shot I would put my indicator about twelve inches ahead of my fly. I recommend a tungsten bead if you've got them. If not, don't sweat it. Just use a shot to get your flies down. I use two pound maxima ultragreen all the time.

Good luck guys and gals!

If you have any questions about anything just give me a holler at (918) 816 9535 and I can answer your questions (or at least try )

[Okieflyfisher53]

Zach,

I am curious as to why you use 2 lb test down there. I seldom use lighter than 6 lb and I catch plenty of fish. and can land the bigger ones easily.

Steve

[Zach Bearden]

Thats a good question Steve, I don't even know the answer. I have always used a lighter tippet seeing as the fish aren't that big. I can usually land a larger fish (14-15") on the 2 lb and they swim away just fine.

I guess its just one of those things where I got bored with heavy tippets.

[Okieflyfisher53]

Zach,

That makes sense. They have started stocking larger fish at the old Watts property, though. I usually fish heavier tippet down there because the trout don't seem to mind, and you never know when you might hook a striper, big drum, catfish. etc. The Lower Illinois is like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates, you never know what you'll get.

Steve

[Danimal]

I caught a FAT 18 incher below the dam yesterday about 2 minutes before they turned on the generators along with some in the 14 to 15 inch range. I'll try to post a picture later. Dan-o

[Zach Bearden]

I went out this morning and caught a total of 24 withing an hour, hour and a half. My biggest being about an 18" as well. Mom was on the other side just watching. She only got a picture of a fat 16" fish. I was using a size 14 frenchy again. I'm starting to get a bit of confidence in this fly

[DaddyO]

Guys,

What's the water clarity like? I noticed that the Generation schedule looks like they are dropping it off around 11pm until around 1pm the next day. Do you think they will keep that schedule throughout the week? I guess, I'll keep an eye on it. Right now, I'm planning on fishing there on Wednesday.

I'm introducing my boss to fly fishing. He has always wanted to try it and even has a fly rod; but has never been. Hopefully, we will have a day of low generation with enough time to get him on some fish.

[Danimal]

Still pretty murky. I'd say about 14 to 16 inches of visibilty. Nonetheless, I started with a red SJ worm and netted 6 or 7 before they seemed to catch on. Then I switched to a red Zebra Midge (gold bead and wire) and picked a half dozen more up until they hit the turbines.Good luck. Dan-o

[Zach Bearden]

Went out this morning and caught a few more on a little biot nymph with a hot spot. Also, on a glass beaded soft hackle.

[Mikey]

Quick question to you guys. Where is the access to the Watts area? My buddy and I have fished below the dam a lot and have heard about other access points downstream besides MarVal, but have yet to come across them. It's too far to drive just to poke around...

Mikey