Greers Ferry Fishing Report 3/8/10

[Cody Smith]

Hello everyone! The weather is warming up and fisherman a plenty have been out enjoying the nice weather here on the reservoir. Water surface temperatures are ranging from 43 - 48 degrees depending on time of day and location on the lake. This is good news as the water warms to the 50 degree range lake wide we will see a huge improvement in the amount of feeding activity on all species.

Over the last week I have fished The Dam area, Peter Creek, Little Peter Creek, The Narrows, Hurricane Bay, The Five Fingers, Middle Fork, Sugar Creek, and all throughout the Devil's Fork Arm. The middle half of the Devil's Fork arm of the Reservoir has by far produced the best bite. One common pattern that has shown itself in this early fishing season is the fish are confined in really small areas and holding extremely tight to warming cover be it wood or rock. We are seriously weeks behind with water temperature taken into consideration and most all species of fish are suspended in the deeper holds and channel bends just waiting for the water to warm a few degrees to spur some serious feeding action, as well as, pushing up the arms and in the water column.

Although our game fish seem to be confined to really small areas our Bait Fish seem to be spread out from 2 feet deep to 45 feet deep, from the backs of the creeks all the way out to the main lake flats and deeper open water areas. I really look for this to change over the next week with warming rains promised and nightly low temperatures in the mid to upper 40's. This change in temperatures will have an extremely positive effect on how our game fish are feeding and relating to seasonal behavioral habits and patterns. Look for the shad to really start to push up all feeder arms and creeks as the water warms and the light switch is turned on! What I mean by this is we will have warmer water entering the lake and our shad will migrate to the current and warming water to prep for their spawn. When this takes place the game fish will follow them up the arms and will be more susceptible to your offering.

With the lack luster fishing report there is good news to be had, the reservoir is going to get really good in a hurry as long as we see this gradual warming trend continue. I'll be on the water checking prime areas for all of our game fish species and report what I find. Good Luck out there and If any of you have any question's about our reservoir or would like to set a date for a guided fishing adventure please call or email me and I'll get back with you as soon as I'm off the water. Cody S. Smith smittyc888@hotmail.com or (501)691-5701