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Post by petroh on Jun 25, 2016 16:34:37 GMT -6
For anyone wondering on the current conditions, I thought I'd post an update. June 24th, EveningOnce I got there, the water had cleared up a bit since Tuesday (the heavy rains we got filled up the floodway and the water was just under the top of the dam, so I'm not sure if it was flowing over top previously). Managed to get 6 casts in before flashes of lighting in the sky chased me off the water. Waited for 2 storm clouds to pass for about an hour before I got back out there. First cast got a small rock bass and then I moved around alot trying different retrieves and locations around the now submerged islands. Finally got a sauger, and the sudden flashes of lighting had started my clock again. Decided to wade 1/2 down the strip, and literally 2 casts in I hooked into a fish, the last thing I was expecting was a 23" walleye, but thats what ended up hitting the fly which was a change of the usually drum. Made 2 more casts before I got off the water as the the storm was getting too close for comfort. Didn't get any pictures as I tried to get every last minute I could for that pre-storm bite June 25th, MorningWent out this morning to try to make up for last evenings lost time, but it was really slow. Water clarity is low once again from last nights storm, and I assume the water is going to rise by tomorrow again. Ventured out around the islands again and tried to see what would find my fly. Managed 3 drum, 1 small one and the other 2 were abit bigger then average, and a small sauger. Saw a few carp surfacing and a few cats splash up but no takers. Here's a picture of the spillway around the islands as of this morning. And here's one of the drum
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Post by rockbass09 on Jun 25, 2016 18:12:25 GMT -6
Thanks for the update petroh! Was just thinking about heading out there tomorrow since I bought the new fly rod and am itching to try it out. Maybe head out there in the afternoon and give some of those cats a go! Can't wait!
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Post by rockbass09 on Jun 28, 2016 21:52:40 GMT -6
So...headed out to the floodway to try the new fly rod out. The water dropped a little but is still to high for wading into the main channel, and the current is extremely fast. I stuck to the floodway where it opens up to the red river and managed two small goldeye in like three hours, my first fish on the new fly rod. not the 20lb carp I was aiming for but hey, start out small and move up. I was targeting carp but they weren't actively feeding so switched over to goldeye instead. Had a few other hits and lost two or three right by shore. All in all, a nice day to be out and casting the fly. Got quite the sunburns on my arms...gonna hurt like hell tomorrow.
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Post by rockbass09 on Jul 6, 2016 19:36:41 GMT -6
Anyone fly fish the floodway or red river lately? Would like to head out there tomorrow and give those carp a try again...
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Post by petroh on Jul 6, 2016 20:07:21 GMT -6
Anyone fly fish the floodway or red river lately? Would like to head out there tomorrow and give those carp a try again... Was out there yesterday, floodway was really low, the pillars under the floodway dam are poking out of the water. Managed 1 decent sauger there for the 10 minutes that I tried. Moved onto the main channel, all gates are closed and I waded into the shoals there, the water level is >~1 foot above the shoals, water clarity is barely an inch and sinking line would be necessary for the current. Casted 20 minutes in the mainchannel (with floating line) had 1 hit and left because I was once again greeted with thunder and rain. Hope you have better luck.
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Post by rockbass09 on Jul 10, 2016 19:17:50 GMT -6
Tried the floodway today, water is really low and all the islands have popped up in the main channel so you can wade to them. Didn't see too many fish unfortunately, only a few really small carp. I had a hit right on the first cast but it was small and got off shortly afterwards. Will try wading into the main channel sometime this week. Where the spillway meets the red there was lots of fish surfacing so might give that spot a go. Also, on the way back saw a guy fly fishing below the lockport dam. Wonder if they caught anything...
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Post by brucerap on Jul 10, 2016 19:52:59 GMT -6
There's a shelf right in the mouth where the spillway empties into the river that the pelicans usually congregate on. If you cast into the main river from that shelf, you'll likely get something.
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Post by petroh on Jul 10, 2016 20:04:42 GMT -6
That was probably me, I had a tough day on the Winnipeg river, so I hit Lockport on the way back. 1 goldeye in the floodway, so I just went into the main channel. 1 Sauger there and some goldeye. Couldn't find a drum believe it or not, it's kinda lonely out there without them
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Post by sedgehammer on Jul 20, 2016 7:11:43 GMT -6
Whenever I have been out in July (past years) it is often slow going. Drum have typically moved out. Cats are doing their deed. Goldeye and sauger are all that I have had luck with. And the odd carp.
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Post by rockbass09 on Jul 21, 2016 17:17:46 GMT -6
Yeah, fishing always slows down for me in the summer months...I try fly fishing there when late August rolls around. That's when the catfish really pick up....
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