Flooding effects...

[flyfishingpastor]

I've been on the Smallie Alliance Forum and have done some looking at other sites and pages on the web. There are a number of complaints that the Smallie fishing is way down this year due to the flooding this spring. I'm reading everything from over-silting to diminished crayfish numbers to toxins in the water from the run offs.

A number of people are saying their fishing has been way off - at least so far this year. So, what about you? Have you noticed a fish drop off so far? Has your fishing been as good as in previous years?

Though I have only been fishing for the past couple of weeks since my surgery, I think I am seeing way less fish so far. Now this could be that physically I am not able to pound the water as in years past, but the numbers do seem to be down. I'd like to hear from you on this.

Pat

[barryl]

Tim Holschlag"s book "Smallmouth Fly Fishing"Touches on some of the rough water and weather conditions. He is convinced that clarity is key to better small mouth fishing.(there hasn't been a lot of that lately) He also address things like flooding and droughts and how it effects fish populations. It is a good read to understanding weather and water effects without taking a full class on the subject. I'm sure there is much more that can be learned. But! short answer to your question? I've seen better years.

[reelteacher]

I would agree that the fishing seems to be slower this year that last year. Primarily, because I have been forced to fish other places that I am less familiar with. I'm headed to Sugar Creek today. I'll see if my secret spots are as good as they were last year.

[rstaight]

I would agree with the runoff and toxins having an effect on the fishing.

Smallmouth like clearwater and when the water gets like chocolate milk it's like krytonite to them. They will search for water more to their liking.

Also when the water clears up, it is still going to be higher than normal for this time of year. More water, more places for the fish to be. When the water is down to it's normal summer levels or in drought conditions, the fish will collect in the deeper pools. Kind of like fishing in an aquarium.

Those are just some of my thoughts, right or wrong, there they are.