Tough Days

[Mitch f]

Yeah, after a big flood when the river is still dropping steadily will usually be pretty tough. I think a lot of people would be surprised at how much bass feed DURING a flood. There is a LOT of food washing into the river during high water, and the fish don't just hunker down, they take advantage of it. From vast numbers of earthworms coming to the surface and being washed downriver to all kinds of terrestrial critters being swept downstream to lots of baitfish moving into the same areas sheltered from the current where the bass are, they have lots of stuff to choose from, and they can smell and sense through their lateral lines even if they can't see. I learned this the first time when I was attempting to catch catfish on Big River when it was at the top of an 8 foot rise. I was fishing a big flooded gravel bar at the mouth of a feeder stream with nightcrawlers, in water where you couldn't see three inches down, and kept catching nice smallies.

So when the river gets to dropping back within its banks, three things happen. The fish, having fed heavily during the flood, are full and usually not too interested in eating anymore. The river has been swept clean of quite a bit of the algae and plant life that is the base of the food chain, and the bottom organisms and minnows aren't feeding very much either, so they are either hunkered down or skittish. And the fish know instinctively that they have to vacate the shallows or run the risk of being cut off from the river channel once it drops so far. At least that's my guess, but I find that you're often least likely to find the bass feeding shallow after a big flood.

So what to do about it? Well, I always start out fishing shallow and even fishing in odd shallow spots like willows that are still slightly under water along gravel bars or at the heads of riffles, just in case the fish are there. Usually though, they aren't. So I figure they've moved out into deeper, slower water well off the banks. Sometimes, certainly not always, a big deep-diving crankbait fished through the mid-portions of the big pools will find a few. Or a big spinnerbait slow-rolled in deeper water sometimes works.

But sometimes nothing appears to be working. I used to keep changing lures and locations where I'm fishing, trying to come upon the magic lure or technique or location. But I guess I'm mellowing a bit, because now I just put on a big crankbait and throw it whenever I feel like it, while otherwise sitting back and letting the current take me downriver while I'm soaking up the sights and sounds and smells of the river.

Geez Al, you're too smart! I've always wondered why the bite was off during the falling times, thanks for the insight! I agree with you on the spinnerbaits during those times. Wiggle Warts work well too.

[David Unnerstall]

And there are the cicadas. I observed them just flying into the water. I actually heard fish say "Oh please, I cannot eat another cicada."

[Gavin]

Falling water can be tough...You would be amazed at how many nightcrawlers crawl across ten feet of patio to commit suicide in my in my inground pool when it rains...imagine the numbers that get washed into the river.

I usually go with a rattling jig with a big chunk trailer, spinnerbait, or a crankbait in those conditions. But sometimes you just cant buy a strike. Did a short falling water float on the Big last spring with 3 other experienced anglers...only 1 spotted bass between the 4 of us......They just werent on. Cheers.