Water, Weather, And Whether?

[swellcat]

Gorecast

Anyone have ideas or educated guesses about what Lower Illinois conditions might be like the weekend of 01-02 May 2009? Muddy, raging torrent? Not all that much different than usual?

How do higher flows affect the striped bass fishery?

[Danimal]

If this weeks forcast holds up I'd bet on round the clock generation.

[BFTMASTER]

I would think with all the rain that they continue to run heavy around the clock. On sunday, we saw fish feeding and jumping out of the water but presenting a lure in those fast currents is something I need to work on. Any where there are eddys or backflows, there are fish, mostly deep, close to the bottom. I would guess that the striper love this water and wait in ambush areas for forage to wash by.

[swellcat]

Thanks for the replies.

would guess that the striper love this water and wait in ambush areas for forage to wash by.

Kinda what I would guess. The extra current flowing into the Arkansas might sort of ring the dinner bell for stripers as it seems to for catfish and draw 'em on in. Thing is, if the water is muddy or extremely turbid, how much good could a fly flinger do? Seems like cut shad or chicken liver conditions.

[DaddyO]

I've been watching the lake level reports. I'm hoping that we may be presented with some low water on Saturday or Sunday. They need to drop the lake level 1 more foot to get it below the bottom of the flood pool. So, I'm hoping that when they hit that they will shut it down for a couple of days or at least during the day.