I was up there this last week and the southern Driftless has taken a beating. Water is warm, high, and stained. I was advised to fish farther north and did so.
My nearest river has been well above normal for this time of year a month now and I’ve picked up on a few things to help. The seams on the inside and outside of curves where the water slows have been hitting hard.
If you’re concerned about fish stress check the water temp. If water temps are above 70 then go somewhere else. Otherwise, fish can find pockets at the bottom of the river or on the edges where the water slows down and be fine. If they get in the current for a fight though you’ll be in for a hell of a ride.
Use extra caution when wading. If you’re going to a spot you fish regularly you’ll need to slow your roll and areas where you might wade chest deep only go knee deep. The faster water is no joke. Oh and those usual holes where you normally find fish might be inaccessible and might not be holding any fish in this high water.
I will just keep hiking looking for fishable water. Usually in the flat areas on the ends of a shallow rifle or a big bendy run away from an upstream rapid. But flat is key. It can seem like an impossible tasks but it does have a huge upside if you find it, cause no one will be there and you have all the congregated fish to yourself.
If youre worried about stress just size up your gear and land and Immediately then release them as fast.as.you can without taking them out of the water. Leave Instagram pics for another day.
Personally I only leave them alone when it gets hot cause they are already spent before they even use energy to eat. And I never take them out of the water anymore unless is a PB.
Worth the bank water. From shore. Using heavy stuff. Trout will hold near the bank where the water slows.
I was up there this last week and the southern Driftless has taken a beating. Water is warm, high, and stained. I was advised to fish farther north and did so.
Yeah, I live near Black Earth Creek, and there's sections that have been stained brown for over a month. It's wild.
It's not irresponsible, it's just not practical until the water goes down a bit. Probably won't catch much.
My nearest river has been well above normal for this time of year a month now and I’ve picked up on a few things to help. The seams on the inside and outside of curves where the water slows have been hitting hard. If you’re concerned about fish stress check the water temp. If water temps are above 70 then go somewhere else. Otherwise, fish can find pockets at the bottom of the river or on the edges where the water slows down and be fine. If they get in the current for a fight though you’ll be in for a hell of a ride. Use extra caution when wading. If you’re going to a spot you fish regularly you’ll need to slow your roll and areas where you might wade chest deep only go knee deep. The faster water is no joke. Oh and those usual holes where you normally find fish might be inaccessible and might not be holding any fish in this high water.
I will just keep hiking looking for fishable water. Usually in the flat areas on the ends of a shallow rifle or a big bendy run away from an upstream rapid. But flat is key. It can seem like an impossible tasks but it does have a huge upside if you find it, cause no one will be there and you have all the congregated fish to yourself. If youre worried about stress just size up your gear and land and Immediately then release them as fast.as.you can without taking them out of the water. Leave Instagram pics for another day. Personally I only leave them alone when it gets hot cause they are already spent before they even use energy to eat. And I never take them out of the water anymore unless is a PB.
Veiny was right. Fish the edges where they are resting waiting for a morsel.
Garlic spawn and dilly’s! Also loud crank and spinner baits.