Shad Kill Report 02-19 Thru 02-21

[BFTMASTER]

I usually like to go into more detail but work and life don't leave me much time currently.

Thurs day 1: Bitter cold 6 degrees. As we approached the dam we started to see shad in the water and sea gulls going crazy at the outlet. Did I mention it was stupid cold? First cast with a 1/8oz. White ZigJig was rewarded with a healthy Brown around 3lbs. Next cast a slightly smaller model. I would guess that the water was around 7K-8K CFS. Around 8:00 or so with little action other than the (2) Browns we drifted into the State Park where the rainbows were biting nicely. I highly recommend that when Jig fishing a barbless hook is the way to go, especially on the white where catching can exceed 50-75 fish in a day easily. I feel like I miss less fish, and it is better on the fish to shake them off without ever bringing them in the boat. Actually, I was afraid the darn fish would freeze solid before I could get them back in the water. It was so cold that droplets of water that would get on my spool would freeze the line together and cause tangles. Thank you Simms for making a decent fishing gloves and thank you hot hands for hand warmers.

Fishing continued to be rather good for the rest of the day with the best area for jigging being between the end of the State Park and Rivercliff cabin where we were staying. After 10:00 or so we switched from white to Brown/Olive and Tri-Olive with good numbers for everyone in the boat.

Friday Day 2: Rented a boat from state park. Really nice 48" Shawnee with 15hp electric start. This is really the way to go for renting near the dam. Dock opened at 7:30 and we were first ones to the dam. Temperature was a lot warmer at 18 degrees, can't really tell the difference actually. The fat rainbows remembered the shad from the day before and everyone in the boat was catching nice 1 1/2lbs.+ fish about every cast. I counted (6) fish for myself in a single drift. That is where barbless is nice for quick release, also required in the c&r area. This was by far some of the best fishing I have ever experienced on the White. I have caught bigger fish, but never back to back quality rainbows like that. Soon every guide and fisherman in the know was on our drift. I say ours because it felt like that for an hour before we even heard another boat. Epic fishing until the water dropped out around noon. Then it was a fish here and fish there...search, search, search...fish. Seems that the fish like moving water or for it to stay off for an period of time.

Saturday Day 3: No water and rain until noon. Lightened up the jigs a little and caught a fair amount, nothing like the other days. Gold spoons and jigs under a bubble saved the day. Also, I saw some absolutely huge walleyes exiting the deep holes between Rivercliff and Newlands. I mean 10+lbs. Not carp, walleyes. Does anyone know how to catch these fish? I have seen them for years and they are starting to get huge!!

Anyhow thanks guys for all the tips and Reports. Good luck and have fun.

Here is a few pics Of the scenery And shad evidence. The ones on the bank are near cane island.

[BFTMASTER]

Having problems with pictures from my samsung phone to my imac. Will try in the morning from my office.

On another note: I really liked my new TFO Gary Loomis Signature Series 7ft. Light/Fast. Seems to give the jigs the action I wanted. Did not think I would like the 7ft as much but wanted to try something new since I have a quiver of 6' and 6'6". I paired it with a Pflueger President 6925 since the reviews for the president were far better than any shimano reel until you spend about $125.

For the money, this rod and reel performed great on the maiden voyage. The true test will be in the middle of an epic trip 3years down the road.

[BFTMASTER]

Forgot to add that we caught 18 Browns this trip over (3) days. Nothing over 3lbs or so, but some of the fish were really long and probably spawned out fish that would have been nicer later in the year.

[Quillback]

Great report, thanks for sharing.

Interesting about those walleye, several years ago my uncle rented a cabin near the dam, I went out there and fished with him for a day. There were several nice walleye hanging out under the dock, where they were at and with the current made it impossible to get anything in front of them so no walleye fillets that trip.

It's about that time of year for them to spawn.

[Terrierman]

Great report. Congratulations on some really good fishing.

[Ham]

in 2008 not too long after they opened the spillways, we caught four walleye, On jerkbaits and Zig JIgs, over the course of a few hours. I released each one thinking there was no way I would catch another. We also caught White Bass, LMB, and saw crappie in a shallow protected area.

Those walleye are still there and are still eating. Not knowing any better, I would believe that a jerkbait fished at night during the summer when the water was off has a good shot at catching a walleye.

In is interesting (and frustrating) how different water levels are better for some areas and less good for others. 5000-10,000 CFS is great immediately below the dam. In reduced the number of small fish that you catch and makes the larger trout eat more often. They are often beasts in that fast water.

The worse the weather the better the fishing if for no other reason, it keeps the number of boats to a reasonable level. It can get to be a zoo there at times and 15-30 boats constantly buzzing over the top of the fish starts to shut them down regardless of flow rate. I'm been there and seen it happen.

You will lose some fish with the barbless jigs, but it is legally required in some areas and a good idea all up and down the river. You can release them so much quicker which can mean dry hands for you on a COLD day and it has to be easier n the fish as well. Less time spent releasing a fish = more time with your jig in the water = more fish caught. YES, it sucks when a big trout gets down current and wallows on the surface until the hook comes out. Suck it up and better luck next time. A barbless hook also comes out of you a lot easier. Ask me how I know.

Sounds like a Great trip. You are crazy to fish in < 10 degree temps. Screw that. I'm not man enough for that crap.

[joeD]

My friend caught a nice walleye a couple of years ago in the park area. Apparently, walleyes come through the dam, just like shad, then go to town eating little trout. And keep eating. If you catch a walleye, keep it and eat it.

[BFTMASTER]

Does anyone know the regs. For Walleye in the white? I had a park ranger tell me that they were fair game at any size, and you could keep them in the C&R areas. That was years ago and I could never really found out on the regulations in print.

[Terrierman]

OK Ham so how do you know barbless hooks come out of you easier?
Pics or I will not believe it.

[joeD]

Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Whew! Gosh, that was quite the zinger!