Flood gates open at Table Rock Dam

[Phil Lilley]

They opened 5 gates at 10 am.  At the same time, they shut down one turbine.  So it's running the same as 4 units - 13,000 cfs

I boated up and was surprised to see them open.  Threw a white jig and caught 6 rainbows.  They're not hot on them... yet.  But they will be!!

[JestersHK]

Nice!  Some of my most productive trips were fishing trophy area right after they have had the gates open.  Seems to wake em up.  Also leads to many multi species day and nights with the fish coming through.  Now just gotta find time to make it down there... 

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 hour ago, JestersHK said:

Now just gotta find time to make it down there... 

I can only wish!

[trythisonemv]

Always wanted to try high water down there. Most I've ever had was two units and it fished pretty well at that flow. always on land though.

[cracklebak]

We were down last weekend fishing from a boat, really struggled to find out how to catch fish. They were running 10k+ CFS and we don't have any experience fishing that type of water. Threw lots of 1/8th oz jigs, some plugs and jerk baits, caught 4 on the jigs through Saturday and Sunday. I thought one of us would hang in to a good one since I always hear fishing high water brings them out! I will say that I had some exciting follows back to the boat on a jerk bait.... but no takers.

Be fun to try and get down there when the shad thing is going on and try that.

[JestersHK]

Night time with some flow going on down in the trophy area has rewarded me with some spectacular evenings.  Throwing sticks at em seems to target the bigger fish for me anyways.  Also you'll be surprised what comes through the gates.  We've caught Gar, Drum, Smallmouth, and largemouth, whites, and of course the walleyes.  One thing that works for me is wade out as far as you can, and try to get your stick in the flow.  Then go with a super slow retrieve, rod tip up and let it just work the flow towards the surface.  There were times when I saw or heard fish hit from below and come out of the water and set the hook on the splash.

Daytime in a boat, trick is usually just have to find em.  We've beat the banks before too almost fishing them like bass with some good results.  White jigs with a red neck is always my go to after gates are opened up.  The shad coming through flips the switch I guess.  Man I really want to go down now LOL...  

 

[Phil Lilley]

They're not running much... more flow would bring more fish in over the top.

My guess is that there's a bunch of fish at the base of the dam picking off most of the shad coming it, for now.  But when they get full, more will trickle down below the cable.  And more... and more.

This am we didn't see any shad but Duane's crew picked up a few nice rainbows on shad flies - 2 -- 19 inchers.  But we did the best of pink or cerise san juans - the larger worms.  Also #12 gray scuds.

We both had 6 in our pontoons, 5 kids and one adult, from a boy's home in Wichita.  DD's boat boated 23 and mine 14, 2 hours of fishing.  Not bad considering wind, tangles and retying.

 

[Phil Lilley]

Did hear they MAY run this water till Table Rock is down to 915.  That may take a while, seeing there's more rain in the forecast.

[MOPanfisher]

That warmer water out to fire up the suds too.

[Gatorjet]

Will this push them up into the creeks down lake, or are the creeks too warm?