Minimum Flow

[Col Ron]

I talked to a representative of the Army Corp two days ago. He had some interesting information which I will pass along. I had several questions about the Power Pool and Minimum Flow, also the warning system when the dam releases more water.

First, the power pool is now called "Seasonal". The pool will now vary one or two feet, depending on the time of year. It has already changed a couple of tenths. It will be around the 661 or 662 range.

Second, we are now in the "Minimum Flow". It started on July 4th. I was wading on the 5th of July, with no generation and the cubic foot release was between 700 ft. and 850 ft near the dam. I must say, the flow was fast and you really had to watch for the holes and trenches. ACE told me, they believe the ideal minimum flow will be 590cf. As the lake volume decreases, the flow will also decrease. Something I never thought about, the gentleman told me the added weight from the added water will increase the flow during minimum flow. From what I experienced in two days, 590cf should be pretty good. According to the Corp, all this does not apply when they recieve a request for power, or if the pool is above or below normal.

Third, the warning system was tested and is loud as necessary and now works adequately, after last years failures to go off. There are no plans for a phone app to notify or warn the angler when the flow will increase or generation is started. He did mention that during minimum flow, if the water level increases, the siren or horn probably will not go off. The siren is set to go off when generation begins.

Good Luck,

Col Ron

www.colonelronguide.com

[Ham]

I was not sure I would live to see minimum flow. It will be interesting to see the long term effects, but good and bad.

Some areas are going to be tougher to wade in, but some areas will be improved.

In will result in more fishing pressure, but the water should stay cooler and there should be more food for them to eat.

The fish I am catching seem to be fat and happy. And I'm catching lots of them.

[Col Ron]

I agree. Catch and release in July and August will be much easier on the fish. Too often during hot summer days they get too stressed.

Catching techniques will change and we have to adjust. If I can put my 6X in my back pocket for awhile, that won't bother me a pit.

[Ham]

I caught eight trout yesterday that had lamprey attached so I guess it's that time of year. I fished Saturday and saw one rough fish that had a lamprey attached. I fished Sunday and caught one trout that have a lamprey attached.

No need to freak out about lamprey. They are natural to the river system and their population is kept in check by the fact that all the sexually mature lamprey die after they spawn. Furthermore, they only feed on other fish for < 12 months. They use the extra nutrition to bulk prior to the rigors of their spawn.

Having said that, they are creepy and disgusting and I get them out of the boat as soon as I can.

[gotmuddy]

them things freak me out.