How's Fishing At 7 Ft?

[zthomas]

I'm planning to float Tyler Bend to Gilbert this coming Sunday 11/22. Gauge is at about 7 ft and 2,200 cfs right now, dropping gradually. Water temp about 52 and also dropping.

What does that mean fishing-wise? I've been on the Buffalo only in the summer when it's low. Any tips for this time of year? (I'll take both the fly and spinning rods.)

Zack

[Zack Hoyt]

I'm planning to float Tyler Bend to Gilbert this coming Sunday 11/22. Gauge is at about 7 ft and 2,200 cfs right now, dropping gradually. Water temp about 52 and also dropping.

What does that mean fishing-wise? I've been on the Buffalo only in the summer when it's low. Any tips for this time of year? (I'll take both the fly and spinning rods.)

Zack

With the cold nights, water temps are lower than best for fall feeding. Most of the fish will be off for the winter. This is not saying they cannot be caught. I go for larger flies/lures druing the winter. Their thought process is, if I am going to go after food, it is going to be a big meal.

They will be holding in the deeper pools. With air temps getting into the 60's, there is a possibility they will hit a top water lure that makes alot of noise. I would stick to leech imitations.......woolie buggers, articulated flies, or even crayfish imitations. Wacky Worms and tube jigs for the spin gear. I have found a shad hardbait imitation that runs deep and fished slow does well.

Takes are going to be light. Probably feel like hitting rocks, so dont be afraid to do a few light hook sets. I always say your better off false setting the hook, than not setting the hook often enough.

Best of luck.

[Gavin]

Fall & winter smallmouth fishing can be tough...If the water temps are in the 50's they will be more active....in the 40's not so much....Fish should be in a winter pattern...hanging in really slow current or slack water near rock or wood structure.......not necessarilly deepest water on the river, but they may be close to it. If its murky, I'd try spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and jig with a rattle fished slow on the bottom. If its mildly stained or clear, I'd try some suspending jerkbaits (The LC Pointer 78, Slender Pointer 97 and 112 have become favorites of mine), tubes, or hair jigs or marabou jigs....Might try suspending a minnow jig under a bobber as well. There's a good post on the subject on the main board at riversmallies at the moment.... www.riversmallies.invisionzone.com Cheers.

[Ham]

TB to Gilbert isn't a very far run is it? I don't remember the those levels in particuler, but compare them to averages if the guages have that data. I think I would like it a little lower than that, but it will be a GREAT time on the water. THe fishing might not be as good as summertime, but it should be a good time regardless.

[eric1978]

I'll echo Gavin's thoughts. Smallies right now can be very unpredictable and frustrating. As he said I'd focus on slow current 3-6 feet deep, near deeper pools, but not necessarily in the deepest parts of the pools. The fish that are somewhat active and feeding will be in some light current, and make sure you're getting deep into the cover, because they're gonna be under it. I wouldn't bother much around faster riffles, although you can be surprised every now and then. Don't waste your time fishing deep in slack areas...if that's where they are you're probably not gonna catch them.

If the water temps are still moderate when you're there, hanging around 50 or so, I'd also start with a spinnerbait and a Wart, just to see. But if you get no takers on those pretty quick, slow down a little with a hair jig, tube or Senko. And make sure you don't leave home without a Pointer 78 SP. I'd try one of those right off the bat, too. If I was floating on Sunday, my four canoe rods would have: spinnerbait, Wart, Pointer, hair jig. If none of those work, I'd just drink beer and play with the fly rod.

[taxidermist]

White Road Runners, fished slow and int he head of the pools.

T Bend to Gilbert is a couple hours at the flow the river is at today.. A bit fast to fish from a boat. You may want to go to Baker Ford if you want a bit longer trip.

[zthomas]

Thanks for all the help. I'll let y'all know how it goes. Yeah, I know it's a short float. But this is "officially" a trip to visit the in-laws in Marshall. So I'm pushing my luck to sneak away for even a half-day.

[Zack Hoyt]

I will be on Crooked Creek Sunday and the White Saturday. If you happen to see a Subaru outback with a wooden drift boat behind it....thats me.