Status Of The Spring Runs And Fresh Rain

[hoglaw]

I had high hopes of making this my first year to really go after the walleye. But now I'm sort of "between boats" and waiting to pick up a 20' fiberglass john with a 90/65 yammie jet. I feel like I'm missing out already.

But this rain we got makes me think everything is trashed for a while. The water temp in the white river plunged bigtime, and the river surged from 3' at the gauge to almost 10'! That's a bunch of water, but it's going to go away quickly.

I went trout fishing over by Mountain Home last weekend, but we stopped at Twin on the way back to look at the water. It looked absolutely gorgeous. I've been fishing out there since '99, and it seems like it hasn't been as pretty as it was last weekend since then. The water was running nice - not high, definitely not low, just a good solid flow. And it was a really pretty green. Probably 2+ feet of visibility. A lot better than the muddy trashed out slough that place has been ever since they build the new 45 bridge.

So what is everyone's prediction on how this is going to affect the runs? When I get my jet, I'd love to take whoever wants to go out with me, but I was really hoping to get on the walleye before it gets too late. Will they chill out while this water subsides? Or are they already doing their thing?

I'm sure there are a few white bass in the river, but I think we're five or six water temp degrees away from them really getting after it. No big rain is in the forecast, so maybe it will get primed in the next week or two? Maybe the higher water will let them push a little farther up where we can get away from the crowds a bit. The hybrids and stripers are yet to come. Haven't fully figured them out yet, but i've tangled with some big brids on the fly rod below twin before. I should have the setup to run up to Wyman if I want here in another two weeks. Hopefully I won't have missed out on the walleye action by then.

[sfiser]

Just curious what kind of John boat did you order? I bought a topwater to trout fish in back in November and it's a blast. Thought about taking it out for white bass when it warms up a little

[Bill Butts]

I'll make the run up the river with you anytime between now and the 1st of May.

These rains should help us all enjoy some great spring fishing!!

[npierceuark]

Hog, I've been keeping pretty close tabs on the runs up the white and from what I've experienced and heard we still have some time. I've only caught one eye and heard of a few more. Most have been caught around pt 12 as of this weekend. A few lurking upstream of 412 but nothing consistent as far as I can tell. Whites have been very sporadic, I've caught less than a dozen up from 412. Did catch a few crappie on Saturday but nothing to write home about. I'm giving the white a try for whites later this week maybe wed or thurs after the water clears a bit, you're welcome to tag along if you'd like I'll be walking the banks

[Quillback]

If the rivers are blown out you can try the Indian creek arm, the last couple of years I've caught walleye incidentally up there while bass fishing. Backs of coves and pockets is where they've been. You're going to have to work for them, but it's a scenic part of the lake and relatively uncrowded.

[hoglaw]

Just curious what kind of John boat did you order? I bought a topwater to trout fish in back in November and it's a blast. Thought about taking it out for white bass when it warms up a little

It's not new, just new to me. It's an AFF Eagle, 21'x54" flatbottom. Gotta get it home and get the trolling motor set up and I'm champing at the bit.

[Bird Watcher]

I'll make the run up the river with you anytime between now and the 1st of May.

These rains should help us all enjoy some great spring fishing!!

Hog, take Bill up on this. You'll learn a ton about temperate bass and he knows places down there to catch them too.

[jdelow77]

Hog, I've been keeping pretty close tabs on the runs up the white and from what I've experienced and heard we still have some time. I've only caught one eye and heard of a few more. Most have been caught around pt 12 as of this weekend. A few lurking upstream of 412 but nothing consistent as far as I can tell. Whites have been very sporadic, I've caught less than a dozen up from 412. Did catch a few crappie on Saturday but nothing to write home about. I'm giving the white a try for whites later this week maybe wed or thurs after the water clears a bit, you're welcome to tag along if you'd like I'll be walking the banks

Where you heading wed or Thursday ? I'm free both days and need to fish ...

[hoglaw]

Bill and all -

Thanks for the reports. This weekend is going to be gorgeous and we may get some warm rain on Saturday and Sunday. That ought to supercharge things pretty quick. The water will get above 50 this weekend I bet.

[hoglaw]

Hopefully I can get the boat Sunday...if not I may have to wait an entire week....ugh.