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Post by hankinsfly on Jun 16, 2017 19:05:05 GMT -6
I work a high-stress, emergency-based job. I'm presently sitting in my office, waiting to receive more information to relay to workers in the field. Going to be a late night. These situations come up often enough with and the on-call rotation comes around every six to seven weeks. Brief calm intervals in times like these, waiting for the phones to ring, I think about fly-fishing. Think about the Kiamichis, the Ozarks, the Rockies. Smallmouth bass, brown trout, silver bullet stockers and red striped bows. I don't know about you folks, what keeps you together, what you believe in, but the concept of fly fishing keeps me sane. Even when I'm not knee deep in a cold river. Hope y'all are having a good Friday.
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Post by danimal on Jun 16, 2017 20:27:02 GMT -6
I've had a terrible Friday Hank. So yes, I'm thinking of pretty much those same things. Looks like the Upper Illinois is getting back to favorable levels -- we need to hit it soon. Been catchin' some nice bronzebacks lately on my favorite river in the Ouachita's, but I'm ready to hit something in the Ozarks. Have a good weekend man!
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Post by hankinsfly on Jun 16, 2017 23:33:35 GMT -6
You as well. I agree, we need to get over there. I've been thinking about it, unfortunately the next couple weekends are booked up with on-call and family crap (I mean family stuff). Weekend of the fourth would not be the right time to be on the Illinois River, or any other body of water. When an Okie says the phrase, "float the river," they mean the Illinois River and they are not in Hobies or Old Towns, but in rafts with floating coolers of beer trailing shortly behind. The scenery is typically good though. I'd kill for some Ouachita natives right now.
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Post by jonbo on Jun 17, 2017 4:24:44 GMT -6
That's a large benefit of fishing, indeed, Hankinsfly. It takes us out of the rat race for awhile, and does a good job of it. I'm glad I can join you and the rest in the pleasure and distraction of fly-fishing. I really had no idea when I started in '11-'12 I'd get as involved as I have. Cheers!
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Post by turfdawg on Jun 17, 2017 7:54:06 GMT -6
I'll let y'all know how it is this weekend. Leaving the house in about 10 minutes suckers!!!!!!
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Post by okieman71 on Jun 17, 2017 9:06:29 GMT -6
Not to be negative turfdawg but its Hot, Slow & Crowded. We simply do not have enough fishable water to accommodate the traffic. The floods just really did a number on this river. That canopy that used to run the length of spillway was a great asset. Not to mention the cold hole that has now become the Warm Lake. I often ponder the possibilities for this river as I am sure others do. I think first and foremost they need to fill in the Lake that used to be cold hole and get that water moving through there faster. Another thing would be to go deeper in the reservoir to get colder water. The water temp. problem is a real problem. I bet it is mid to high 60's right now and its only begun to get hot. One other wish list item that will never happen would be to demolish part of the Re-Reg dam. Its worthless anyway and keeps roughly 4 miles of ZII at Lake status. That would open up some water. They were gonna clean it out at one time so why not just demo the middle of it and let the water run unimpeded. To have a year round trout fishery, you have to maintain feasible water temps. Due to the flood damage, it has become harder to do on the LMF. The powers that be obviously don't see it this way or are just content to leave it as a put and take fishery. One would think that a with all of the tourists and tax dollars being dropped in the area that the River would be a high priority. The Fly Fisherman/Trout Fisherman are one of the groups that spend money in the area year round. The fishery has become much more technical since the floods and one has to wonder how long people will continue to show up and fish the LMF if they are not successful. I mean your average fisherman isn't going to show up and use 6x tippet and size 22 & 24 flies to get to finicky fish. I hope I haven't been obtuse in my viewpoints. I just would hate for one of the only true year round trout fisheries in the region to become like the blue river which is seasonal.
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Post by golferjeff on Jun 17, 2017 18:50:32 GMT -6
Okieman - the average fisherman shows up with a bucket, a zebco, some worms or powerbait, and a stringer. Fly guys are still very much the minority unfortunately. Cleaning out re-reg was an option at one point, but removing re-reg really isn't due to the recreation in Zone 3. Removing the dam would inundate zone 3 with 8000 cfs at times. The clean out option was taken off the table by the state and the organizations that support the river (LMFRF). As for Water temps, Tyler agrees with you. We hope to see 150CFS in the summer if the Corps stick to their plan (Maybe that went away?). Two weeks ago the water along the streambed was in the low 60's according to my little device, the surface probably higher. That will only go up until early September. As for Cold hole, the new tunnel/bridge/channel will help at least a little. It will take some time for sediment to accrue and get the water moving better.
I really miss the canopy... and so does Magick. I can't fish it in the summer any more. Just too hot and sweaty. Maybe we could plant thousands of trees in the bedrock?
I'll patiently wait for October while I head to Canada, Colorado, and New Mexico this summer.
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Post by turfdawg on Jun 17, 2017 20:03:16 GMT -6
Today crowds weren't a issue fishing. Very few people around evening hole, only 2 cars at the cardiac hill kiosk and none at the next gate. Did not catch many but they were there. Had the swimhole bridge to ourselves this evening.
I however did get cussed at when I told a group (family) at the bluffs that they should watch out for the rangers because they were not supposed to be in the water. Another gentleman told me he had a confrontation with the same guy yesterday.
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Post by okieman71 on Jun 17, 2017 22:37:48 GMT -6
I should have been more clear Jeff. I was referring to Fly Fisherman when I said average fisherman as I believe that the LMF sees quite a few newbies to Fly Fishing. So, it could be really frustrating for someone who is just beginning due to it being more technical these days. I share the same sentiments as Majick when it comes to Spillway Creek. I knew that the Rereg cleanout was one of those projects that almost happened but didn't. Ive often wondered if the cleanup would have created any new fishable water in Zone II??
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Post by jonbo on Jun 18, 2017 7:05:35 GMT -6
Yeah, we're somewhat marginal in terms of the numbers of recreationalists at Beaver's Bend and the LMF, I'm sure. I imagine our "needs", or wants, don't account for too much in the scheme of LMF management. Should we be thankful they're taken into account such as they are? We do have a Red Zone after all, and a lot of fingerling brown trout were put in this winter, stuff like that. I'd love to see the Cold Hole pond filled in, too, and some of the Bluffs hole, say, with the gravel and rock still at the Rockpile. I don't know how they'd go about that and imagine it's not a priority. Maybe we can petition to clean out the Rereg Dam, whatever that means or entails.
Oh, and Jeff, was I mistaken, or did I see some baby cypress trees planted in Upper Spillway Creek?
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Post by troutbum54 on Jun 18, 2017 16:30:19 GMT -6
All I'm saying is they could dig out lost creek again and use what they dig out to fill in some of the cold hole or use it to help with planting trees in spillway! They we could have a diversion of water under some canopy for lost creek and for spillway in the future
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Post by okieman71 on Jun 18, 2017 18:50:05 GMT -6
troutbum, I share the same thoughts as you. While I am sure it won't happen there is potential in the cold hole area as well as plenty of material to create a diversion and also shrink the size of the new lake. Not only would that create a bit more fishable water but would most likely help with water temps as the water wouldn't slow down like it does now. I guess the river is not that important to those who make decisions. I know the state is broke and all that. I live in Oklahoma. Im 45 years old and I am fairly certain the state of Oklahoma has been broke since I was born. Never heard anything other than that. Its called apathy. Same reason that regs are not enforced like they should be. Nothing but excuses. Pardon the rant. Im certain there are more tax dollars being spent in the Hochatown area right now than any other tourist area in the state. They should treat it as such. Failure to use common sense and poor management of the river has led us to the point we are at right now. The right people do not care. Very Unfortunate.
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Post by hankinsfly on Jun 18, 2017 19:03:24 GMT -6
I think it was stated earlier- the state caters to the majority of fisher people, and those are baitfishers. It would be good for the state ( and the COE) to have some foresight and realize the LMF could be better than the White River, thus seeing it as an investment and bringing in more money in the future. That would better serve both fly anglers and bait fishers. And it has been said, and I am an employee of the state, but the state is very broke. Things like this really do not matter right now. Sorry to say it. And with all the heavy spring rains we've been having ( as we should be), why would they risk putting all the time and money into reconstructing a stream that very well could just get washed away again?
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