Members Early Riser Posted October 12, 2011 Members Posted October 12, 2011 Brousing through the recent posts I noticed a great deal of you all praying for rain. Why is this the case. It seems to me that with lower river levels the trout would be more concentrated and easier to locate. Looking at the radar it seems likely for a good downpour. Should I be planning my trip for the day of, the day after, or a couple of days after?
Guest Posted October 12, 2011 Posted October 12, 2011 I have had good trips during extremely low water, and good trips with high water. I prefer higher water, because it puts a little bit of stain in the water and the fish are less spooky. It also is conducive to fishing streamers, which is what I truly enjoy. I think it is personal preference, but for me, higher water means less people--and bigger fish! Depending on how much rain, I would want to be there the day it rises, and the day after. But if it gets blown out, I would want to be there as it drops through the sweet spot on the usgs gauge.
cnr Posted October 12, 2011 Posted October 12, 2011 The ultra-clear low water works to your disadvantage because the fish can easily spot you wading around and become spooked. I would rate bad wading skills as much of a detriment as bad presentation when fly-fishing. The other factor that comes in with low clear water is that it's harder to fool the fish that your fly is something edible. Trout are mostly visual predators and if they get a real good look at your fly they can tell it is artificial. On the flip side when the water flow increases the clarity drops a little and the fish generally feed a little more with the increase of their food being moved around. The feeding really seems to increase if you can fish the river on a rise and then stabilizes as the water stops rising. The bigger trout really know how to take advantage of the lower clarity and increased flows and this becomes a great time to fish streamers or minnow shaped plugs for larger fish.
Gavin Posted October 12, 2011 Posted October 12, 2011 Ditto...low water fishing can be really tough...morning & evening are usually your best bets.....at high water they might feed all day long..Some of my best trips have occurred when the water is up a foot or two..plus its less wear and tear on the canoe.
ozark trout fisher Posted October 13, 2011 Posted October 13, 2011 Low water makes fishing tough as everyone has mentioned, but such prolonged low water isn't particularly good for the trout either. It leaves them considerably more vulnerable to predators, among other things. Fall low water on the Current is usually some of the most difficult fishing of the year when the sun is out, because the water is low and they can see you from a mile away. But on cloudy/rainy days it can be very good, the olives can get going and the fish will lose some of their caution. Higher water is better though, as that'll get the egg pattern and streamer bite going again, which usually makes for some pretty easy fishing.
Nortrad Posted October 13, 2011 Posted October 13, 2011 True that...up swing in water brings them out, nothing like stripping a streamer thru a run and having a big brown commit...
Members WaderFarts Posted October 13, 2011 Members Posted October 13, 2011 I had a good day fishing the low waters on monday. pulled two nice rainbows and a brown. i like low water because i enjoy sight fishing. there are big browns feeding in every slow run, just don't go stomping through the water and you can make a few casts at them. whats better than seeing a monster take your fly?? presentations matters when the waters are low, so good cast are important. id rather take my time and find fish, than blind cast into big holes. TROUT ill post some pics tongiht/tomorrwow.....
Nortrad Posted October 13, 2011 Posted October 13, 2011 I had a good day fishing the low waters on monday. pulled two nice rainbows and a brown. i like low water because i enjoy sight fishing. there are big browns feeding in every slow run, just don't go stomping through the water and you can make a few casts at them. whats better than seeing a monster take your fly?? presentations matters when the waters are low, so good cast are important. id rather take my time and find fish, than blind cast into big holes. TROUT ill post some pics tongiht/tomorrwow..... Nice. Gotta sharpen my hunting skills...
Members WaderFarts Posted October 15, 2011 Members Posted October 15, 2011 sorry for the delay... TROUT
Nortrad Posted October 16, 2011 Posted October 16, 2011 sorry for the delay... TROUT Nice fish, looks like it really bulked up on something, recognize the fly too. Are you holding the fish in the middle pic? It didn't upload all the way.
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