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Post by lipripper1983 on Apr 29, 2018 14:12:53 GMT -6
Anyone know?
I'm new to fly fishing. I went up to the LMFR saturday the 28th of april. It was too crowded in most places and was pretty disappointed by it. I caught the fish over at that large rockmound upstream from a bridge with a parking area. Saw they built a new bridge too over that large still water pool. I did manage to catch a 9 inch rainbow on a pheasent tail nymph and a small blue gill so I atleast didn't get skunked.
Anywho, it's apparent to me that if you want to get into trout waters that aren't pressured you're gonna have to do some hiking through brush and woods to get around the tourists and crowds. I see some people mentioned "The Bluffs" on these boards but I'm not sure where that is. Any other recommendations?
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Post by turfdawg on Apr 29, 2018 15:10:26 GMT -6
The rock pile place you are talking about is called the Evening Hole. It runs from the bridge parking area to the end of the rock pile. Upstream past the rock pile is the Bluffs. Upstream from the Bluffs where the new bridge is is called Cold Hole. Upstream from that past the new bridge is Spillway Creek and that has places like Cardiac Hill. Downstream of Evening Hole Bridge is Hickory Hole, 40' Hole and the Day Use area. Then downstream of those is Swim beach bridge and powerhouse. Downstream of that is Zone 2.
If you went this time of year you have no ideal of how crowded it will be when school is out.
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Post by lipripper1983 on Apr 29, 2018 20:22:20 GMT -6
The rock pile place you are talking about is called the Evening Hole. It runs from the bridge parking area to the end of the rock pile. Upstream past the rock pile is the Bluffs. Upstream from the Bluffs where the new bridge is is called Cold Hole. Upstream from that past the new bridge is Spillway Creek and that has places like Cardiac Hill. Downstream of Evening Hole Bridge is Hickory Hole, 40' Hole and the Day Use area. Then downstream of those is Swim beach bridge and powerhouse. Downstream of that is Zone 2. If you went this time of year you have no ideal of how crowded it will be when school is out. I'm surprised the trout population even exists with that much activity and pressure on the water. |
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Post by lipripper1983 on Apr 29, 2018 20:29:06 GMT -6
The rock pile place you are talking about is called the Evening Hole. It runs from the bridge parking area to the end of the rock pile. Upstream past the rock pile is the Bluffs. Upstream from the Bluffs where the new bridge is is called Cold Hole. Upstream from that past the new bridge is Spillway Creek and that has places like Cardiac Hill. Downstream of Evening Hole Bridge is Hickory Hole, 40' Hole and the Day Use area. Then downstream of those is Swim beach bridge and powerhouse. Downstream of that is Zone 2. If you went this time of year you have no ideal of how crowded it will be when school is out. Another question...you said pass the rockpile is the bluffs. I've noticed there's two paths after the rock pile. One that cuts left to the new bridge and one that continues up along that tall rock wall. Up that way is "The Bluffs?" How far up does that go and is it all still water? Trout in there? |
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Post by jonbo on Apr 29, 2018 20:37:12 GMT -6
The tall rock wall IS the Bluffs. Before the Great Flood it was a really cool run through there, then kind of an S-curve and more stuff. It was really nice. Now it's more of a big slow pool, then that long straight shot going along-side the Rockpile (which didn't exist before.) As others have said, there's a lot more fishing, a couple of miles worth, known as "Spillway Creek" after you pass the new bridge going upstream. It also used to be much different than it is now. There's plenty of fish in the river, in general, because they stock the heck out of it. Also, in the area of the Evening Hole and the Bluffs, you can't keep fish, basically, so that keeps fish in the river.
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Post by lipripper1983 on Apr 29, 2018 20:56:50 GMT -6
The tall rock wall IS the Bluffs. Before the Great Flood it was a really cool run through there, then kind of an S-curve and more stuff. It was really nice. Now it's more of a big slow pool, then that long straight shot going along-side the Rockpile (which didn't exist before.) As others have said, there's a lot more fishing, a couple of miles worth, known as "Spillway Creek" after you pass the new bridge going upstream. It also used to be much different than it is now. There's plenty of fish in the river, in general, because they stock the heck out of it. Also, in the area of the Evening Hole and the Bluffs, you can't keep fish, basically, so that keeps fish in the river. Seems to me like presbyterian falls is a better place to fish. The habitat looks better. I imagine there's alot less tourist crowding the place up too. |
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Post by turfdawg on Apr 30, 2018 4:56:16 GMT -6
From the rock pile until you turn left is the Bluffs area. If you keep going straight that is called the Devils Backbone. That’s the old river before they made the lake and not good for fishing.
In my opinion there are always Trout in the river but catching them is a different story. The Sunday before you were there a board member, Golffer Jeff, caught around 50 browns on that rock pile stretch.
Some of those heavily pressured areas make you become a better fisherman.
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Post by FlyAndStream on Apr 30, 2018 6:21:35 GMT -6
I caught a 20” rainbow at the bluffs yesterday. There’s fish in this river lipripper1983 |
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Post by coldwaterfly on Apr 30, 2018 6:44:05 GMT -6
The rock pile is my favorite stretch of river to fish day in and day out.
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Post by dainw on Apr 30, 2018 7:23:03 GMT -6
Some of those heavily pressured areas make you become a better fisherman. I guess it depends on what you’re after when you go fishing. I’m not training to be on the USA fly fishing team or trying to be a guide anytime soon. I don’t really care able becoming a better fisherman when I go fishing, just about getting out and having some fun. Hard to do when 25 other people are occupying a 50 yard stretch of water relentlessly flogging the same 50 fish day after day. Have to agree with OP on this one, LMF is way too crowded, especially in the rock pile/bluff area. |
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Post by breeden3 on Apr 30, 2018 7:35:51 GMT -6
The tall rock wall IS the Bluffs. Before the Great Flood it was a really cool run through there, then kind of an S-curve and more stuff. It was really nice. Now it's more of a big slow pool, then that long straight shot going along-side the Rockpile (which didn't exist before.) As others have said, there's a lot more fishing, a couple of miles worth, known as "Spillway Creek" after you pass the new bridge going upstream. It also used to be much different than it is now. There's plenty of fish in the river, in general, because they stock the heck out of it. Also, in the area of the Evening Hole and the Bluffs, you can't keep fish, basically, so that keeps fish in the river. Seems to me like presbyterian falls is a better place to fish. The habitat looks better. I imagine there's alot less tourist crowding the place up too. The fish die every summer at Presbyterian Falls now. Temps get too warm. Also, 99% of the people you see on the water have no clue what they are doing, especially on the technical side of things, so pressure isn’t particularly an issue. It’s common to walk into a spot someone just got done fishing and still catch fish. There are certain people I would rather not have to follow through a spot if I have clients...... Aaron, Dain, and Jeff I’m looking at you lol |
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Post by hankinsfly on Apr 30, 2018 7:45:39 GMT -6
It is very crowded. I'm in search of solitude more than anything today. Fishing with no sight of people, buildings, power lines, dams, roads, cars going by, is quite the experience.
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Post by dainw on Apr 30, 2018 7:46:28 GMT -6
You wouldn’t want to follow me through a spot because when you’re 300 lbs and you walk through the river, fish are down for the rest of the day. If you’re 300 lbs and you happen to fall in the river, fish might be down for the rest of the week! Offensive lineman, not necessarily known as delicate waders....
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Post by dainw on Apr 30, 2018 7:47:36 GMT -6
Also Presbyterian falls kind of a seasonal trout spot like Peter was saying can also be a good spot for bass in the warmer months.
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Post by golferjeff on Apr 30, 2018 10:14:24 GMT -6
Presby falls is a nice place to visit in the winter months and catch some trout. As people have stated though, it gets far too warm in summer for trout and they die off. You can catch smallmouth year round in zone 3 (of which presby is a small piece). May thru September that area will be just as, if not more crowded than evening hole. Tubers, beer floaters, meth heads, kayakers, etc. If you can dodge them, the smallie fishing is pretty good.
In order from the main bridge upstream - evening hole, rockpile, Bluffs (yep, the big rock wall and slow water), left turn, Cold hole (the new bridge), then all the little areas in spillway creek. every other week over 2500 rainbows are stocked in the 4 mile stretch of water from the dam to the fly shop. There are plenty of fish, but they are highly pressured, most are kept for eating, and the ones that remain have seen literally everything thrown at them. Peter knows the holdovers by name. I think he has a few on retainer for when a guide trip is slow.
No one wants to follow after Dain and I go through a hole. Maybe a running back..... 600lbs of un-nimbleness and blind walking. If Hankinsfly is anywhere near us, we're pretty formidable falling in the river.
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Post by lipripper1983 on Apr 30, 2018 16:02:39 GMT -6
Presby falls is a nice place to visit in the winter months and catch some trout. As people have stated though, it gets far too warm in summer for trout and they die off. You can catch smallmouth year round in zone 3 (of which presby is a small piece). May thru September that area will be just as, if not more crowded than evening hole. Tubers, beer floaters, meth heads, kayakers, etc. If you can dodge them, the smallie fishing is pretty good. In order from the main bridge upstream - evening hole, rockpile, Bluffs (yep, the big rock wall and slow water), left turn, Cold hole (the new bridge), then all the little areas in spillway creek. every other week over 2500 rainbows are stocked in the 4 mile stretch of water from the dam to the fly shop. There are plenty of fish, but they are highly pressured, most are kept for eating, and the ones that remain have seen literally everything thrown at them. Peter knows the holdovers by name. I think he has a few on retainer for when a guide trip is slow. No one wants to follow after Dain and I go through a hole. Maybe a running back..... 600lbs of un-nimbleness and blind walking. If Hankinsfly is anywhere near us, we're pretty formidable falling in the river. A pretty small stretch.  Too bad I live so far from decent trout rivers...as that's the only thing available. I imagine a cold cloudy saturday during fall and winter is probably the best times to go. Maybe light rain conditions. Keeps everyone away yanno. |
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Post by greyghost on Apr 30, 2018 17:19:15 GMT -6
I imagine a cold cloudy saturday during fall and winter is probably the best times to go. Maybe light rain conditions. Keeps everyone away yanno. Used to, not any more. In the 90s and early 00s there was very little pressure on the river. I would camp on the river for a couple of weeks in Jan/Feb every year and during the week I often had the place to myself. November through February was prime time. This was before the "improvements" that made the river accessible to any one. I haven't been now in the past couple of years, it's just too crowded. It was inevitable I suppose, especially once the professional guides discovered it. |
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Post by hankinsfly on May 1, 2018 6:30:56 GMT -6
Jeff- that figure's a little low if I'm part of it...
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Post by bradbessett on May 1, 2018 14:03:22 GMT -6
Oh the bluffs... I miss them so. RIP Attachments:
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Post by texanfisherman on May 2, 2018 8:06:45 GMT -6
I made this quick labeled map. If you guys see anything that I need to add to it, let me know. Edit: updated to show 40ft Hole Attachments:
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Post by golferjeff on May 2, 2018 8:42:31 GMT -6
Much better map than my hand drawn one from a few years ago. Very nice
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Post by turfdawg on May 2, 2018 9:46:28 GMT -6
Maybe 40’ hole
Very nice
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Post by jonbo on May 2, 2018 11:27:01 GMT -6
Great map. I only have one correction. If I'm right what you're calling Hickory Hole is really the 40 Foot Hole. Hickory would be where the river first widens just downstream of the Evening Hole bridge. Someone tell me if I'm wrong about that.
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Post by turfdawg on May 2, 2018 11:41:11 GMT -6
Great map. I only have one correction. If I'm right what you're calling Hickory Hole is really the 40 Foot Hole. Hickory would be where the river first widens just downstream of the Evening Hole bridge. Someone tell me if I'm wrong about that. Jonbo I will agree with you. I was just looking on my phone and didn’t realize he had it that far down. I maybe wrong but I call that area 40’ hole and pretty much the area in between there and the bridge Hickory Hole. But like I said I may have been calling it wrong |
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Post by texanfisherman on May 2, 2018 13:04:04 GMT -6
Great map. I only have one correction. If I'm right what you're calling Hickory Hole is really the 40 Foot Hole. Hickory would be where the river first widens just downstream of the Evening Hole bridge. Someone tell me if I'm wrong about that. Jonbo I will agree with you. I was just looking on my phone and didn’t realize he had it that far down. I maybe wrong but I call that area 40’ hole and pretty much the area in between there and the bridge Hickory Hole. But like I said I may have been calling it wrong You guys are probably right. I always thought hickory and 40 ft were the same. If the consensus is that I need to change the map, then I can do it easily. Edit: map updated |
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