Report 9-5-09

[Zack Hoyt]

Lots of canoe traffic has had fish on the tailwaters rather skittish. They are still catchable though. Weather has been very nice to us with mild temperatures and comfortable amounts of rainfall. The water below the darn is starting to lower back to normal levels with the other Dam Systems on the White unloading their water. The fish have been feeding well this spring and summer, so they are nice a plump. Guys using spincast gear should try a smaller rainbow or brown trout colored rebel hard bait and also the usual Troutkiller or Powerbait. The fish have been moving alot, so don't cast to the same spot over and over. Fly fisherman should be switching to fall patterns. Olive, grey, and tan scuds and sowbugs under an indicator. Also don't forget your nymph patterns. Copper Jons, Red Jons, BWO Nymphs, etc in smaller sizes are a good choice. Alot of time the difference between catching and not catching can be as simple as adjusting the depth of your fly. Take advantage of the foggy mornings. If you are canoeing, remember the C&R area runs from the walk-in at the Bathouse all the way down to Parker Bottoms. This means no treble hooks, scented or moldable baits, or live baits. This fall is going to be a great season on the Tailwaters so be sure and make time to enjoy it.

[Quillback]

Thanks for the report, I would think with this cool weather and rain the trout will be going bonkers.

[Zack Hoyt]

Yes and no. There was alot of activity over the holiday and also with the cold weather more people are getting out. This is whats making them skittish. AGFC had stocked a week ago, so there were alot of well fed fish. Also, since they are not "starving" takes tend to be very subtle. I was using half a foam indicator and was still missing fish. Also the didymo is kicking in, which isnt directly affecting the fish right now, but probably will. The good part is the water backed up from Table Rock is finally getting back to normal....so its more like you are fishing a running creek versus a big bahtub.

On a seperate note, I would like to invite you down to our Tightlines Fly Fishers meeting Septmeber 21st. It's always a good time and a very laid back atmosphere.

[retroaction man]

Thanks for the update zhoyt. I was down there sunday morning and it was a super slow day. They were not hitting the midges so i decided to try to top water flys. They seemed to key in on my brown grasshopper flys but i only caught a few.

one thing i did notice were a lot of dead fish on the bottom of the river. Im guessing this is normal to see after they stock the river though. that is the unhealthy ones dying off.

[ecce38]

If you are canoeing, remember the C&R area runs from the walk-in at the Bathouse all the way down to Parker Bottoms. This means no treble hooks, scented or moldable baits, or live baits.

Zhoyt, I was out there this weekend and saw the same thing you're mentioning here. I used to bite my tongue and not say anything but not anymore. If I see someone fishing contrary to the regs., I will (politely) mention it. In fact, I saw 2 guys (a father and older son of 30 yrs. old) using bait in the old C&R. They were just out of range for me to say anything. But from the looks of things, I'm fairly sure they knew what they doing was a violation, if for no other reason than there was NOBODY else using bait. Those regs. have been in place for going on 3 or so years and violations are still rampant. I've mention to the AG&F on more than one occasion that they need better signs at the beginning and end of the No Bait Zone but alas....

[Fishing Milwright]

zhoyt

The Tightlines website is no longer available at least the one from Southern Council FFF. Where and what time do they meet.

Thanks;

Fishing Milwright

[Zack Hoyt]

I guess they havent updated the FFF listing. The website is:

www.tightlinesff.org

We meet the third Monday of each month. Our next meeting is September 21 at Jim's Razorback Pizza in Springdale. Get your plate and tell some stories from 6-7 and the meeting starts following. Feel free to pm or email me with any questions. It is a very good time and we all are equal opportunity fisherman(warm and cold waters).