Willard Bay - Nice day fishing, catching, not so much!

[gofish435]

I fished Willard Bay on Wednesday for the first time. I launched my kick boat near the outlet on the northwest side. I fished from 9:00 until 12:00 and had no hits, no runs, and no errors. I used a slow sinking line (#2) with a lot of different flies with no luck. The visibility in the water is less than one foot (big problem for a fly fisherman). The water temperature was 43-45 degrees and the deepest water I fished over was 10'. I covered a little over 2 1/2 miles in my tube before the wind came up and I decided I had been beaten. There is a good flow coming in so the level should be coming up. The BOR website has not been updated since February 28th and it showed the level at 41% full. The low level is another reason for the murky water. I got a lot of real good information on Willard from [#0000ff]"Tubedude"[/#0000ff] but until the water clears it is a waste of time with a fly unless you just need some exercise.[]
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[flygoddess]

Try using brighter flies. I only fly fish and I fish a lot of murky waters...they seem to find the fly[]
Also try counting down, short leader.
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[gofish435]

I tried all of the above. I only fly fish except for one weekend trip a year with a good friend that thinks fishing is done from a lawn chair with a worm & marshmallow and a cooler of beer close by. Thanks for the tips.
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Glad you got to hit the water on your way by but sorry the fishing wasn't any better. Not much showing up for anybody...even the bait dunkers. But the water temps are climbing into the range where the walleyes should be showing up around the edges soon.

As I suggested, by May you will have higher, warmer and cleaner water...and most species will be a lot more active. Let me know when you plan to hit it again and I will try to join you for some introductory.
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[gofish435]

I knew going in that I was pushing my luck for this early in the season. It was fun to hit some new water, at least for me, I might have to take you up on your offer for some tutoring.. I have to caution you though, I'm a slow learner. By the way our group is going over to Starvation again early next week. We have really been having a good time over there. The fish that have been kept have all had 1" - 2" perch in their tummies. Thanks again for all your valuable information.
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Good luck at Starvy this week. I am at least a couple of weeks away from getting back over there. PM me with a report if you will. Hope the "zephyrs" leave you alone this time.

Definitely stay in touch about Willard. As I advised, May is the magic month but there is sometimes good fishing starting by the first of April. Also, the south marina gates are open after the first part of April so we can work that area. Actually my best fishing on Willard most of the year...and less hassle with the power squadron than at the north marina.
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