High Water Fishing

[Dan_T]

The Montauk website says they are closed and expect to open up Thursday. We are planning a trip down on Monday. My question is after a big flood like they are having what can I expect for fishing quality? I assume the water will still be high and muddy. Should I use a sinking line? Should we postpone our plans? I have never fished the park after such a big flood before I'm not real sure what to expect.

[Gavin]

I'd keep an eye on the stream guages and the weather forecast and make your call on Monday AM...Looks like there is rain in the forecast for today Saturday Night & Sunday..not sure what next weeks forecast holds.

Montauk Guage

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mo/nwis/uv/?site_no=07064440&PARAmeter_cd=00065,63160,00060

Akers Guage

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mo/nwis/uv/?site_no=07064533&PARAmeter_cd=00065,63160,00060

www.weather.gov

type in Jadwin, MO for the Montauk Forecast.

I wouldnt bother till it drops below 4' at Akers with no rain in the forecast.

[Dan_T]

Thanks for the information I will keep a watch on the gauges. Assuming the river drops to a fishable level by Monday how does it effect fishing? I have never fished the park after a flood like this? Will it even be worth the effort?

[BrowningFisherman]

I fished it 2 years ago post flood, Montauk does clear faster than other streams but i would imagine it still looks pretty chalky with a foot or less of visibility on the surface. fish on the bottom, there is a slower clearer layer of water down there that will allow you to catch them. Bright colors aka glo balls big streamers on floating or sinking line, my buddy used a chamois fly with decent success, I have heard of using bigger jigs under big indicators and surprisingly I was able to catch them on a midge in the dirty water particularly red. It is more dangerous to wade because you cant see the bottom and there are several ankle rollers up there, either way its better than work, just be safe.

[BrowningFisherman]

sorry for posting a conflicting report so soon but I thought I would turn your attention to the gauge reading. I spoke before checking the guage it is at 5.41' right now and appears to be headed back to 7'. If I had a trip planned for the next week I would reschedule. This is one of the worst floods Ive seen down there Ive seen it go up once or twice but it is headed up for the sixth time in 5 days, the chart looks like an EKG heart monitor

[Idylwilde]

The report for today from Montauk looks better.Report Link

[Dan_T]

I guess I will give it a try next week. It will be hard for me to postpone. I have to take my trips when ever the opportunity presents itself. I have never fished there in these conditions so maybe I will learn something new. Thanks everyone for the info I will give a report when I get back.

[Kayser]

San juan worms. I fished during some pretty big water two or three years ago (park was closed for the first day of the trip), and found that was what the fish wanted. Found most people struggling for 2-3 fish days, but those got me up to 40 by noon. Friends switched over and got similar results. Green water is good, mud is bad. Just fish deep with lots of split shot, and the slower water may produce better. I would also second the idea of egg flies, but you have to be ticking bottom with whatever you use.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Rob

[KATroutman13]

Take some split shot with you. It will be like fishing the larger wild rivers in Missouri where the water runs hard and fast and it takes a good drift to get the fly to the bottom. Throw upstream as far as you can and then give a good, overcompensating upstream mend. Mend, mend, mend until the fly gets in front of you, then downstream mend, giving line the whole time to extend your drift.

The fish are eating, even in the high water.

Oh, and bigger flies always seem to work better too.