Mar Val This Weekend

[wanabeflyer]

HI all,

This weekend was supposed to be my first big trout/fly fishing weekend, but what about all that water.

I read on the ODWC web site that there was an area below Tenkiller Dam that was supposed to be fishable even if the water was running full.

Does anyone know about this or have any experience? Are there any other areas on the Lower Illinois that I could go to for wading. I am open for any suggestions.

It may just be an "enjoy the scenery weekend". Thats OK too.

Thanks for your thoughts and advice.

Morton Hatch

[OKFlyFisher44]

Morton...

Unless they turn the water off, I wouldn't even risk it to be honest with you. I've been watching the generation levels and the generation schedule...doesn't look too promising. And there's a 70% chance of rain thursday. I thought we might of had a glimmer of hope today because they shut off generation early this morning for several hours but they're scheduled to generate all day tomorrow.

Check these websites throughout the week and you'll have a good idea of whats going on...

USGS Generation Table - Lower Illinois

SWPA Generation Daily Schedule

If they do turn off the water for the weekend, I'll be down there Sunday to fish more than likely!

[DaddyO]

Ditto what Chance said.

Check out this link also (Before you leave the house) USGS with Graph Click here

Look at the bottom graph that says Gage Height. If it ain't at 7ft or quickly dropping to that combined with the SWPA site show 0 generation, then don't waste your time.

And, by the way, There is a slough that you can reach if you don't mind walking about a mile, but it is warm water and doesn't hold trout. You have to go across the dam and turn left and then make an immediate right, onto the dirt road if the gate is open. Go down the hill (steep incline don't do this if the ground is wet cause you might not make it back up) Park at the bottom and then it's about a mile walk from there. By the way, it's up hill all the way when you decide to walk back ot the truck.

[wanabeflyer]

Yea, it does not look good. I guess we will just have to enjoy the beautiful scenery and fish from the shore.

At least I won't be at work.

Morton

[OKFlyFisher44]

At least I won't be at work.

Amen to that you lucky dog!

If the generation stops for sunday, I'll be at the Watts area around 7:00 in a black/silver Dodge truck. If it doesn't stop...I'm probably going to fish the Arkansas for stripers if they're not generating.