Back from Zoar 9/20: 52° at the ramp, and 68°water temperature. I ran up to the dam, but even with the water level low, they were releasing a lot of water. Current running 1.6 mph.made...

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

52° at the ramp, and 68°water temperature. I ran up to the dam, but even with the water level low, they were releasing a lot of water. Current running 1.6 mph.made it almost impossible to fish. Found nothing but Rockys and Bluegill on the sides of the channel. Had a couple little Smallmouth follow a worm, and a fluke to the boat, but never committed. As I worked my way back down the lake, the wind increased to about 10-12mph, which didn't help any. I missed 2 decent bites which immediately snagged in some blowdowns, because the boat was moving too fast. I gave up at 1pm. 2 Rockys and 2 Gills in the boat, and that was it. Sorry,no pix today.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Fredfish wrote:

52° at the ramp, and 68°water temperature. I ran u... (show quote)

2 Rockys and 2 Gills in the boat, and that was it. = No skunk there Fred.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

plumbob wrote:

2 Rockys and 2 Gills in the boat, and that was it. = No skunk there Fred.

Thanks Bob, but it might as well have been. I wasn't targeting them, but I should have brought my Ultralight. It was in the truck, and would have been more fun.

mistred64 Loc: Grayslake, illinois

Better than nothing Fred but sorry it wasn't better for you.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

mistred64 wrote:

Better than nothing Fred but sorry it wasn't better for you.

Thanks Ed. I really wasn't expecting them to be running so much water out of the dam.

nutz4fish Loc: Colchester, CT

Fredfish wrote:

52° at the ramp, and 68°water temperature. I ran u... (show quote)

Fred, I gotta agree with Plumbob, ain't no skunk. If ya don't go for an unscheduled swim, slam a rod in the car door, or bury a ( barbed ) hook somewhere in your body... It's a decent day.
You'll get em next time out.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

nutz4fish wrote:

Fred, I gotta agree with Plumbob, ain't no skunk. If ya don't go for an unscheduled swim, slam a rod in the car door, or bury a ( barbed ) hook somewhere in your body... It's a decent day.
You'll get em next time out.

Thanks Maxx, good point.

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

Fredfish wrote:

52° at the ramp, and 68°water temperature. I ran u... (show quote)

Not really a skunk, just no bass.
Still a blessing to get out in nature.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Jer wrote:

Not really a skunk, just no bass.
Still a blessing to get out in nature.

Thanks Buddy, every day on the water is a gift.

CamT Loc: La Porte, Texas

At least you got out and enjoyed nature pal.
If I had a dollar for every bad day I'd be rich lol 😆 😂 🤣

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

CamT wrote:

At least you got out and enjoyed nature pal.
If I had a dollar for every bad day I'd be rich lol 😆 😂 🤣

Thanks Mark. Ain't that the truth.

FourchonLa. Loc: Fourchon Louisiana, South Louisiana

Fredfish wrote:

52° at the ramp, and 68°water temperature. I ran u... (show quote)

How close can you get to the dam? With the water being released, it should also be flushing baitfish into the lake. I guess it would be similar to a runout or a weir down here with a steady water flow. Anyhow, if you can get closer to fish the eddy currents, there may be fish in those spots waiting to ambush bait. Just a thought and like the others, a nice day to be on the water with some action.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

FourchonLa. wrote:

How close can you get to the dam? With the water being released, it should also be flushing baitfish into the lake. I guess it would be similar to a runout or a weir down here with a steady water flow. Anyhow, if you can get closer to fish the eddy currents, there may be fish in those spots waiting to ambush bait. Just a thought and like the others, a nice day to be on the water with some action.

Thanks Four. The cutoff point is about 250 ft from the dam. The problem, when they're releasing that much water, is keeping the boat relatively in one place. Running the trolling motor at full speed, just to stay still, drains the battery pretty quickly. If you drift with the current, you immediately get snagged on the wood and rocks on the bottom. It's much easier to fish when the flow is mild.

FourchonLa. Loc: Fourchon Louisiana, South Louisiana

Fredfish wrote:

Thanks Four. The cutoff point is about 250 ft from the dam. The problem, when they're releasing that much water, is keeping the boat relatively in one place. Running the trolling motor at full speed, just to stay still, drains the battery pretty quickly. If you drift with the current, you immediately get snagged on the wood and rocks on the bottom. It's much easier to fish when the flow is mild.

Understand. Now that I think about it, I believe you already explained it to me quite a while back. Guess I'm a slow learner.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

FourchonLa. wrote:

Understand. Now that I think about it, I believe you already explained it to me quite a while back. Guess I'm a slow learner.

None of us is getting any quicker buddy.