Rhyme Or Reason

[fishncrazy]

Does anyone know if there is a rhyme or reason to the horn blast signals,when water is released?

like a solid blast for 30 minutes or longer = what?

3 short blasts = what?

[gardyloo]

My experience on the Lower Illinois is that there are three blasts before they start releasing water. They are within a short period of time of one another. You should get out of the river after the first blast. Every year someone gets hurt or killed on a tail water by failing to be cautious and evacuate the river when the horns are blown. Also every tail water is different the Beaver tail water gives one short blast then a second; however the second one signals that the water has been released and is coming up. It is not worth trying to time the horns and releases. A few more casts sure can be tempting but not worth the potential risk. Hope I answered your questions and did not preach to much about safety.

[fishncrazy]

My experience on the Lower Illinois is that there are three blasts before they start releasing water. They are within a short period of time of one another. You should get out of the river after the first blast. Every year someone gets hurt or killed on a tail water by failing to be cautious and evacuate the river when the horns are blown. Also every tail water is different the Beaver tail water gives one short blast then a second; however the second one signals that the water has been released and is coming up. It is not worth trying to time the horns and releases. A few more casts sure can be tempting but not worth the potential risk. Hope I answered your questions and did not preach to much about safety.

The reason behind the Question is ,One time we arrived at the river ,no horns blowing got into our waders made it across the river and upriver about 200yds only to find the River starting to come up,So we Scrambled backdown and across,with no time too spare.

Some Local was on the bank when we crossed both times,was told after we made it back across the second time,that the horn had been blowing solid for over an Hour,Prior to our arrival.we were at the Watts.

[Danimal]

It usually takes about 45 minutes from the time of the first horn for the rise to hit the Watts area. My guess is you probably got there just after the horn stopped blowing then crossed the river just as the water arrived. Whenever I fish the Watts area, I always drive up to the dam first to check things out. Hope this helps. Dan-o

[On The Fly 6]

I'm the stupid guy that usually tries to get in a few more casts as the horn blares on for ten minutes. No, it's not the brightest thing I've ever done, but I was always out of the water or close enough to a bank that I could get out of the water. I strongly advise against this type of fishing and discourage anyone from reading this response.

[swellcat]

I strongly advise against this type of fishing and discourage anyone from reading this response.

Excellent.