What Will Be The Affect?

[asap52]

Was wondering what the affect will be on our trout with this flood. I was up at the dam today and I don't think the water temp will be a big issue at this time. I did notice the water coming from the power house was pretty much the same color as the water coming from the gates. I would have thought the water from the PH would have been much clearer. Anyway it appears it will be a long time before the water levels are where we can fly fish. Went down to the Watts WMA also and noticed the trout shoot was gone. I don't know if they took it down before the flood or the flood took it. The water was definately up high enough to get it. Anyway if anyone would like to chime in on this topic....I certainly would be interested.

Tight lines,

Corky

[OKFlyFisher44]

I doubt the high water will have much of an effect on the trout in the LIR. They will still be there. The floods will change up the river some though, clean out some holes and fill in others. Clear out some of the downed trees. Hopefully it will clear out some of that nasty moss that is thick in the upper sections of the river. One thing that I hope happens is with all this high water that it will draw in more stripers from the Arkansas and draw them closer towards the dam instead of hanging out in the lower sections of the river. If that happens and they finally turn the water off, we could have a great year for striper fishing on the fly. Already planning a night-time float trip on the LIR if they turn the water off to see if we can find some big boys feeding at night...

I think the high water will make things for the better once they finally shut the water down...it usually does...

[RatherBHuntinFishin]

Thanks for the pics! Those are cool. I am planning on fishing the Lower on May 21st. I hope the conditions will be great. hopefully the debris will be washed on down the AR and the current will be flowing just right : )

[asap52]

I doubt it will be flowing just right by then. They may have the flood gates off by that time....but I'm betting they will still be running water through the generators which won't be the best conditions for trout.

Corky

[RatherBHuntinFishin]

I wasn't clear. I'm after the big Stripers not trout. It still may not be just right. That's the hard part of living over two hours away :/

[Zach Bearden]

Two generators are cranked on and they are releasing tons of water through the tube.

Honestly, I don't see the water being down in one week. It's terribly brown and high. If you were thinking of taking a boat on the river, be extremely careful.

[RatherBHuntinFishin]

Yes I plan to call someone local there this Friday that can tell me if the water level is safe for fishing below the Gore ramp. I am planing on using my boat. It's a 18' Alumacraft with a 90 Honda handles well but I don't want to launch if it is unsafe. Does anyone know who I can call to find out?

[Zach Bearden]

I apologize for being so late to respond. I live right here on the river and I wouldn't put a boat on it. Unless I was fishing off a barge.

[JCWolfe]

At the rate it's dropping maybe in the next couple of weeks it will be fishable. LMF is a long drive and the White is not wadable. Roaring river is okay but big crowds make me not want to drive 2.5 hours. Thanks for the river update, I'll keep checking to see what you say.