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| I've been trying to pattern late summer fish on a couple local flowages. I've read a few of the flowage articles on the net, one from this site and one from Muskie Kid's excellent site. Seems the strongest point made in both articles is to fish shallow in the stained and murky waters, even if the water temps are sorta high. So I started there with a big Johnson Spoon w/ tail in the slop, big bladed bucktails over the top of shallow weeds and along the first drops, 8" and 10" believers in medium depth water, trolled the 10" believer deep in the river channel, and I dropped big spinnerbaits along the edges of steep banks and drops that head stright down to deep water. No luck.
What else would you suggest I try, or, should I stick with one or two of the techniques above and just keep crankin?
Thanks for any tips. | |
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| Ranger, I guide on alot of flowages and right now I'll be honest it is SLOW ! Water temps are to high once the temps start to cool down things will pick up . Most of the fish we are connecting with are on topwater and jerkbaits in stump fields inthe evening, and down trees near the river channel.There always seems to be a slow period right before the water starts to cool especially during warm streaks.We've been having alot of nasty storms also . Try cranking around the dams and keep a close eye on your moon phase.It sounds like your keeping an open mind thats good just keep pounding away things will pick up. GOOD LUCK.[:)] | |
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| Dirty water, shallow and not much structure.
Sounds like the Chaquamegon Nat'l Forest area I'm trying to crack.
We've stuck to surface baits or shallow runners, thinking that a muskie can come up if they are enticed.
If you can find it (if it exists) follow the old river bed.
We seem to have luck paying attention to either wind-blown areas, or incoming/outgoing water spots.
If all else fails, talk philosphy with a friendly boat parnter.
You could do worse!
Peace,
papa | |
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| Ranger- I'm no pro - just some thoughts from growing up fishing flowages- I think the key is the forage base. This may even be bullheads, talk to the local DNR biologist, he can save you alot of wasted time. Find the main forage and the Muskies have to be near. Even if the water temps are high, they will come in to feed then head back to cooler water to rest & digest. Time period could be very short. Given that flowages with good inflow of water are pretty well oxygenated. They could be sitting on the deep bottom in the channel. Maybe a creature or bull dawg, bounced along the deep channel. A black bull dawg may be just the ticket if the flowage has bullheads. One place I would thrash the water is at any inflow area. This water is going to be cooler, plus if the flowage is suffering from late summer oxygen depletion, i,e, from algae blooms or weed die-off this area should have good dissolved oxygen levels. But you'll also probably find the pike hanging out there too, if the flowage has them. Also w/ the cool fall nights, you may have good early morning shallow water bite. Especially small bays that are shaded from the sun by trees, etc.
Good luck.
Al Warner
www.thezaltsarecoming.com | |
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| Does being frustrated that I am not on a flowage right now fishing...count[:bigsmile:] | |
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Flowage Frustrations