Happy or

[Cindyjo]

High turbid water.  The least favorable conditions for my technique of fishing.  But the sun was shinning and nice weather conditions so I decided to give it a try.  Would I catch fish?  Or get skunked?  Started in the Flat Creek vicinity.  Water temp 48.  Lake level 932.  Most of the shoreline has submerged trees.  Worked in the 10 - 20 fow.  As usual tossed a spoon and jig for about 30 minutes.  NADA  Decided to give the James River side a try.  Water was slightly better in appearance.  I could spot fish in the 10 - 15 fow range on sonar.  Used a spoon, jig, and jigging rapala.  NADA

So i went to the flats knowing now they were in 17 fow deeper than usual.  Last time there I caught 11 fish in 30 minutes (day before the heavy rains).  This time NADA.  But on days like this I spend most of my time doing sonar work.  Determining what depth the fish are at.  Looking for new GPS locations.  But most importantly determining what affect the flooding had on my old GPS locations.  There are several timber/brush piles I frequent.  All in or near the old river channel.  (as mentioned in previous postings, I do not normally pound the shoreline.  But instead try to find old riverbed locations fish frequent but out of the pattern of most fisherman)  These locations look to be intact even though we had record rains.  I felt better knowing the regular locations were relatively unaffected by the high current.

What did I learn after 2.5 hrs of fishing?  High water does not fit my fishing pattern.  Most of the fish were in 10 -15 of water. (typical at this end of the lake)  Most of the structure I GPS remains intact even though we had record flooding.  Perhaps later in the day the bite may have turned on.  When I was out the solunar tables predicted the worst fishing. And oh by the way, I was skunked!

PS.  WHEN THE RAINS FIRST STARTED TO HIT I SAW A TREE GET PUSHED AND LOCKED IN PLACE IN NEAR THE BEGINNING OF THE FLAT CREEK RIVER CHANNEL.  I SAW IT STILL THERE THE NEXT DAY WHEN THE WATER LEVEL FINALLY ROSE ABOVE THIS TREE.  I WOULD GUESS IT IS STILL THERE.  IT IS IN AN AREA WHERE BOATS NORMALLY RUN FULL SPEED.  THIS ENTIRE END OF THE LAKE WILL HAVE AREAS LIKE THIS.  TREES MAY NOW BE LOCKED IN THE BOTTOM WHERE NONE WERE IN THE PAST.  BE VERY CAREFUL OUT THERE.  I WORE MY LIFE JACKET THE ENTIRE TIME I WAS IN THE BOAT YESTERDAY.

[gruber]

Thank you...and I wear my life jacket all day everyday, I figure with the cold water, you don't have long to get out so I need all the help I can get, and I keep dry clothes in the boat

[dtrs5kprs]

Good info, and good advice. There isn't a bass worth a life, or really even a lower unit or hull. Go out with some perspective, none of us are fishing the classic anytime soon.

[wareaglecamo]

thanks Cj . . . great info at a time when people are at a loss as to what conditions are like and whether it is even remotely feasible to venture out

[Ham]

I frequently fish in weather that many would describe as horrible, but I generally see it as uncomfortable. I try to not fish on days where the weather is genuinely UNSAFE to be out in. 

 

 

[176champion]

Thanks CJ...for report..

I have seen stuff floating up the flat creek way all the time..last time up that way there as an 8 foot long log floating in that water just before the left turn before the bridge..

If im by myself even in summer i usually have my life jacket on when big motor running.

[Champ188]

18 minutes ago, Ham said:

I frequently fish in weather that many would describe as horrible, but I generally see it as uncomfortable. I try to not fish on days where the weather is genuinely UNSAFE to be out in. 

 

 

I'm with you, Ham. Rain, wind and cool/cold days are often the very best for fishing on highlands reservoirs like our White River lakes. And many here know these are the days you're almost sure to see my truck/trailer at the ramp. However, you gotta use common sense. Buy GOOD cold/wet weather gear, always wear your life jacket and SLOW DOWN in rough water or areas where debris is likely to be lurking.

[Old plug]

Hmmmmmmm In my area of LOZ unsafe to be out might be the whole period from  May to Oct

[dtrs5kprs]

50 minutes ago, Old plug said:

Hmmmmmmm In my area of LOZ unsafe to be out might be the whole period from  May to Oct

You could even add March and April, with all the derbies out of St Louis.

[nomolites]

3 hours ago, Old plug said:

Hmmmmmmm In my area of LOZ unsafe to be out might be the whole period from  May to Oct

Yes, our home lake require constant vigilance and eyes in the back of our heads - but she is a great fishery.  Early and late we roam, but stay close to the lift weekends and mid-day.

Mike