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Hopefully we don't get alot of rain from this upcoming storm before the cold air arrives.
With so many guys fishing the resi's and some driving many miles i thought i would give a little advice based on what I've seen over many years of fishing the resi's. Always check the Corp of Eng site to see what the daily levels and discharge is and how much of a change has accrued from the previous day. I haven't looked today but when i do i'll be looking for present levels against winter pool level then if there was a change, lets say up two ft i know a lot of water is coming into the resi from river upstream. That always means dirty water. Then I check for discharge. If there's a large number (CFU) that tells me there will be current in a lot of the areas we all fish. Red Bridge,105 for example. Falling dirty water with current is almost never any good for fishing those locations. Today i expect the resi's to have risen and the dams would not be letting much water out yet. It's almost always a day or two later before discharge happens then I'll watch for falling trends. So here's my report for the next 7 to 10 days for those thinking of getting on the ice. Water will rise then if moisture hold off we should see some improving conditions in 10 days. I'm thinking 2 weeks out with luck. I'm also a believer that the areas mentioned needed a refresher. Those areas have been fished hard the last month or so and with no flow to move fish around it was slowing. This rain event should only help when we do get out and hopefully on top of the ice. Good luck all and watch for reports.
Looks like about 1/2" on friday, but early in the week we got a 1 1/2" in one day.
Ice is forming fast and is probable safe by now at usual spots. However the levels are above winter pool and discharge rates high. Water clarity will be bad and current terrible. You probable wouldn't be able to see mark under vex. Levels will be dropping fast so there will be an ice sheet on shore above water line. Not several feet but enough to make getting on a little slick when water is down. I'm guessing the conditions that I'd fish the resi's will begin sometime this coming weekend but I'll watch Corp site for details. I've know from many years that a discharge of 100CFU's is a no go for me. I also know it takes about a week to start clearing to the point I feel confident. The corp will discharge the amount that's coming in resi's to maintain the winter level. If there is not a lot coming in that likely means clearer water.105 and red bridge areas don't take long to clear. My advise is wait a few more days. Work some of your local spots.
I heard it's real dirty right now.
Fished Missy today on the east side of the bridge. Water is still a little dingy. Lots of lookers. We did catch some and most were dinks but after fishing most of the day we managed 10 keepers between the two of us. One keeper came on a jigging rap and the only hit on it. Rest were on jigs and spikes. Ice was about a solid 4 to 5 inches.
I stopped by 105 this morning but I didn't trek down because I was by myself, no spud bar,icy rocks and that ice didn't look too good to me.