Wading C&R area below BS dam

[Stein]

How much of the C&R area is wade-able with one generator running?  How about with two generators?  How deep is the bulk of that area in the channel?  Can you cross from bank to bank with one or two running? Just trying to get some bearings on this.  I'm concerned that I won't see a lot of "low generation" in July since it is peak electrical consumption period. 

Also, is Dew Eddy Shoal a good place to target during low generation?  I'll be jig fishing in either case.  Is a pinched down barb considered barbless?

Finally, are waders needed in July?  I have them if needed.  I also understand felt soled boots are legal but will I get cross-eye looked at all day for wearing them?  It's what my wife and I have and will likely go with for now.  Not worried about diddymo.  They haven't been wet for years and this will be the only place I use them.

 

[netboy]

Very limited wading opportunities at Rim Shoals C&R on anything more than minimum flow.  I have not fished the C&R below the dam so can't comment on that area.

You should be fine with pinched down hooks. 

No problem with felt soles. The tailwaters already have didymo. Just clean them and dry them out before you go to another river system.

I use waders all year on the tailwaters as the water is colder than the spring fed rivers, but I'm an old guy and can't take the cold water like I used to.  

Hope this helps.

[Huntingducks117]

The Bull Shoals C&R area is wadeable at 1 and 2 units, but much more accessible at minimum flow or 1 unit.  You will not likely be able to wade all the way across at 1 unit, but there is no need to if you park on the Golf Course side of the river (Marion County side).  Dew Eddy Shoal is a good spot to fish.   Pinching your barb is just fine. 

No one will look at your cross-eye if you wear felt soles. Not sure who told you that?   I would definitely wear waders unless your only planning to fish at 5 minutes at a time.  The water is super cold even in July and being that close to the dam it doesn't have a chance to warm up.   

[Ham]

I wet wade at Cotter and below in the summer time. Get a trout boat and use it as a water taxi to get to lots of wading areas. So much to learn, but that keeps it interesting. 

 

[Stein]

8 hours ago, Ham said:

 Get a trout boat and use it as a water taxi to get to lots of wading areas. So much to learn, but that keeps it interesting. 

 

I've been looking.  They aren't that expensive. $12K will get a nice year or two old Shawnee with a 25HP.  Even saw an 08 for $7500 on CL.  Would keep me from having to drag my bass boat back and forth.  Just leave it down there.  I just don't think I will have one by July unless I have someone down there that I can trust to check one out for me before I buy it.  If I buy that new of one it SHOULD be in pretty good shape.

[Ham]

Take your time. Plenty of time to look before you leap.

i bought a used boat for half of new retail and have really, really got my money's worth out of it. 1/6 the price of my BassCat and it gets used twice as much.

give us a shout when you are in town. 

[Stein]

11 hours ago, Huntingducks117 said:

The Bull Shoals C&R area is wadeable at 1 and 2 units, but much more accessible at minimum flow or 1 unit.  You will not likely be able to wade all the way across at 1 unit, but there is no need to if you park on the Golf Course side of the river (Marion County side).  Dew Eddy Shoal is a good spot to fish.   Pinching your barb is just fine. 

No one will look at your cross-eye if you wear felt soles. Not sure who told you that?   I would definitely wear waders unless your only planning to fish at 5 minutes at a time.  The water is super cold even in July and being that close to the dam it doesn't have a chance to warm up.   

Since my new place is on 178 the golf course ramp is my closest - maybe 2 miles - so that is good news and good to hear the shoal is decent.  Since it is three minutes from home it will be nice to be able to stop out on very short notice if no or low generation if even only for an hour.

I don't know where I read it but somewhere people were saying "yes felt is legal but you shouldn't" kinds of things, maybe people that don't have didymo in their streams yet and want to keep it out.  Makes sense if it's already there that the concern is unfounded.

I'll plan on the waders.  Got to pick up some seam sealer.  Had a leaky one or two in the neoprene socks.

Thanks for the help.