[thunderchicken]

My fishing buddy and I have been noticing something here and have been discussing it and I have been wondering if anyone else in other areas of the country have noticed it too. Basically, we monitor the flow rates ( cubic feet per second ) at the various dams upriver from us, but particularly the one closest to us and have discovered something kind of interesting. On days we fish when the flow rates are average or below average, we seldom get any bites or very few. On days we fish and the flow rates are above average, we do much better. At least more strikes and in my book that headed in the right direction. Now I know flow rates vary by geographic location but has anyone else noticed or experienced this? I am curious if feeding activity are influenced by current flows. Any input would be appreciated.

:glasses-cool:

 

[Mudcatboy]

I Fish The Alamo River In Southern Ca. If The Water Level Change Is A Dramatic One, It Definetly Hurts The Fishing For A Couple Of Days Till The Cats Get Used To The New Topography. One Interesting Thing That I Have Noticed, The Area That I Fish Has Alot Of Earthquake Activity. Recently We Had A 7 Pointer About 25 Or So Miles From My Home River, And Hundreds Of Sizeable Aftershocks. When I Used To Fish The Salton Sea, You Could Set Your Clock To The Corvina Bite. ( 5-20lb. fish ) We Had A Big Quake Back In The 80's, And Not Only Did It Shut Off The Bite, We Couldn't Catch A Fish For 4-5 Days.

So When We Had This Most Recent Quake I Was Thinking I Was Probably Going To Get Skunked. To My Surprise I Had A Good Trip. The Flatheads Were Hitting Aggresively, And I Caught 10 or So fish. I Guess Not Much Bothers A Flathead, You Don't Get Big And Fat By Turning Down Meals.

 

[Brenardo]

Don't get me wrong we still catch fish when the river is down but I would much rather fish when the river is rising or falling. Any kind of change seems to help the bite.

I think a lot of folks around here stay of the rivers when they are up and maybe that is why we catch more fish at high flow rates....

Dunno for sure but I am lookin forward to what everyone has to say on this topic.

 

[river scum]

your on it thunderchicken. i usually dont get too excited till the river comes up a couple feet. you know they are feeding, because of the food flowing in. you know where they are, because of the extra current. both of those factors lead to more fish per hour fishing. not to mention some memorable "run u outa bait' nights! have fun with your new found knowledge brother.

 

[bedweary]

I've always fished for flats when the river is flowing pretty fast.
I always figured that since flatheads are strong and sturdy fish, they can
hold their position on the bottom at a high flow rate. Then just wait for the current to wash smaller, weaker fish downstream.

 

[flatheadslayer]

i have my best luck when the river is low,way low.i catch fish at all stages but seem to catch a lot more flats during low flow.blues and channels are total opposite,but i rarely target them.

 

[Jim Stockton]

i have my best luck when the river is low,way low.i catch fish at all stages but seem to catch a lot more flats during low flow.blues and channels are total opposite,but i rarely target them.

I agree with Preston...my best bite comes in stable water preferably low stable water levels. Channels and Blues like the high water current in my area.

 

[Netmanjack]

I've got to the point I wont even go to the big river if there is no current. It's a waste of time in my book. I check out the flow rates now before I drive that far. You can also call the lock master. If the rivers normal pool level is say 16' and one of two gates are open, the fishing is fine. If you have a long dry spell and the level is 13' the gates won't be open and no flow. This is the worse fishing I can think of. Higher levels after a lot of rain say only 2' more, then the water rising aspect comes into play. I think you need to be there right when it's happing to be successful. After it is up and while it is falling are poor times to fish. When it stabilizes and has plenty of flow. I'll hit it again. Now if invited, I will go any time and just trust in luck, but I get skunked more than not doing that, but still have fun..........

 

[Flatheadhunter33]

In my opinion, water current is one of the most important factors right behind water temp and structure. When Im on the Colorado and the water is moving at a good rate, we have much better luck. I think that the fish are looking for food coming down stream that they could ambush. Also I think that moving water provides more oxygen so the fish will concentrate there in that area for that reason also.

 

[slikk03]

i seem to have more luck wen its low but slowly rizing