Blunk to McCords bend Wednesday 03.08.17

[Ryan Walker]

Launched the ATAK at Blunks late this morning. Floated to the bend and paddled back. Fishing was good, I don't remember there being as many Spots in there as I saw today. 

Obviously the river is super low. Clear-ish and surface temp was hovering between 54-55F. Saw a large pod of whites at the bend, and a huge walleye in the pool just below the ramp at Blunks. Huge..Crept up on a LM that was sunning on the light gravel in about 2ft of water. It's always cool to watch fish and how they react and interact with their surroundings..

Caught a ton of spots and several good smallmouth, mostly on the Ned in green pumpkin and PBJ. Threw a streamer ( Ryan's Simple Bunny) for a while, and caught a nice spot and a smallie. 

I spent 20 minutes talking to the farmer that owns the land on the east side of the river, he's worried about the water levels and how much stuff is gonna come at him if we get a good rain. He also said that if the water stays low he won't have to deal with as many folks trashing his gravel bar...On that point we agreed....

If you read my White Bass posts last year, you'll appreciate this: I am seeing dogwoods and red buds blooming, saw a Tom (or a  jake most likely) strutting this morning, and have yet to keep a white bass..I know they are moving on other rivers, and we found a decent pod of them earlier in the week at Walnut Springs, but if we were going by old wives tales, they should be in full reproduction mode right about now..Proof positive that we are having a very, very strange spring...

Free. The. Fighter!

[Mr. Houx]

Thank you so much for your great report. I will be launching my kayak for a trip on the same stretch of river early Saturday, hopefully the cold weather doesn't completely ruin the fishing.

[Flysmallie]

Nice report Ryan. There has always been a good population of spots from Kerr all the way down. One of my daughters used to be a spot catching monster from Kerr to Galena. 

[Ryan Walker]

1 minute ago, Flysmallie said:

Nice report Ryan. There has always been a good population of spots from Kerr all the way down. One of my daughters used to be a spot catching monster from Kerr to Galena. 

I knew they were there, I guess I just didn't realize how many there were...I stood up in the yak for a good portion of the trip, and they were thick!
Maybe it's the water level; less water, fish are condensed to prime areas..it was a good day all around...

[Flysmallie]

There have always been a bunch. Usually just big pods of them here and there. I used to stand in the water and hold the canoe while she made casts to them. Great memories.

May have to scrap my plans for Monday and head down that way. 

[Ryan Walker]

4 minutes ago, Flysmallie said:

There have always been a bunch. Usually just big pods of them here and there. I used to stand in the water and hold the canoe while she made casts to them. Great memories.

May have to scrap my plans for Monday and head down that way. 

Let me know if you do, would love to fish with you...

[ollie]

Good report.  I know sometime soon I will be making the trip as well.  For me it won't be until late next week though.

[Ryan Walker]

2 hours ago, Mr. Houx said:

Thank you so much for your great report. I will be launching my kayak for a trip on the same stretch of river early Saturday, hopefully the cold weather doesn't completely ruin the fishing.

It may move the whites back a bit, but the SM/LM will still be there. Just slow it down. Saturday looks nasty. I have a feeling you'll have it all to yourself...

[Flysmallie]

On 3/9/2017 at 10:50 AM, Ryan Walker said:

Let me know if you do, would love to fish with you...

I still haven't made a decision on what and where Monday but if I decide to head that way I'll let you know.