07-06-2004, 12:51 AM
WATER CONDITIONS
Lake levels have fluctuated again this past week. The water has been somewhat clear on a daily basis. The rain has stained the creeks. There is some debris present all over the reservoir. Water temperatures have remained approximately 65 degrees over the past week. The rain has probably cooled the water temperature over the last couple of days and resulted in a stained color. If you wander outside the buoys, be cautious a lot of mud flats are present.
SUMMARY
Fishing has remained fair over the past week, probably due to the water fluctuations that has occurred. I have seen a few Shad over this past week. The water temperature has been approximately been 65 degrees over the past week. Some anglers are making several good catches. The crappie anglers continue to struggle, however, there are some anglers who have given me good reports. Overall the fishing has been somewhat fair for anglers who are out trying. Mostly small fish are being caught.
BASS (Largemouth & Smallmouth)
Fair. Fishing has been fair, however, persistence is the key. This lake seems to be behind all the other lakes, due to water fluctuations and weather. Fishing back in shallow coves should not be overlooked. Also fishing rock bluffs, wooded banks, and drop offs have been also been treating anglers well. Several small fish are being caught, however, I have not heard of any size being caught. The tournaments are being won with just a few pounds. The depth to fish will depend on the area that you are fishing. Anglers prefer using flukes, shad resembling lures, crank baits, Carolina-rigs, spinner-baits, rattle traps, float-n-flies, and jigs with trailers. These fish have been picky over the last few weeks but constantly improving.
CRAPPIE
Fair. Fishing shallow coves with heavy brush are the preferred areas, approximately 12-20 feet deep. The fishing has proved to be somewhat slow over the past couple of weeks. I have not seen any crappie in the last couple months, nevertheless, anglers are constantly working to catch these fish. Bull Run Creek has started to attract several anglers on the clear and sunny days when the water is clear. The AM & PM hours are both good times to be fishing. Anglers prefer minnows as their # 1 bait however, small grubs on lead-heads, and float-n-flies are also preferred.
STRIPED BASS
Fair. Some good catches have been reported on the upper Clinch and near Bull Run Steam Plant. Gizzard shad and cut-bait are the #1 choice, nevertheless, Rapala top-water plugs and jigging spoons should not be frowned upon. Anglers trolling with minnows are also giving fair reports. The majority of the good catches have either been early morning or late evening, however, on the Clinch the water should be running to be good fishing. I have had few reports of these fish being caught.
CATFISH
Fair. Bank anglers around Bull Run Steam Plant are having on and off days. There have been several reports of catfish being caught. The preferred baits are minnows, night-crawlers, cut-bait, and liver. Some are catching catfish on artificial lures.
TROUT
Good. The trout are doing really well. I have seen these fish hit anything from worms and salmon eggs to bass plugs. The water should be clear and running in order to be good fishing.
[signature]
Lake levels have fluctuated again this past week. The water has been somewhat clear on a daily basis. The rain has stained the creeks. There is some debris present all over the reservoir. Water temperatures have remained approximately 65 degrees over the past week. The rain has probably cooled the water temperature over the last couple of days and resulted in a stained color. If you wander outside the buoys, be cautious a lot of mud flats are present.
SUMMARY
Fishing has remained fair over the past week, probably due to the water fluctuations that has occurred. I have seen a few Shad over this past week. The water temperature has been approximately been 65 degrees over the past week. Some anglers are making several good catches. The crappie anglers continue to struggle, however, there are some anglers who have given me good reports. Overall the fishing has been somewhat fair for anglers who are out trying. Mostly small fish are being caught.
BASS (Largemouth & Smallmouth)
Fair. Fishing has been fair, however, persistence is the key. This lake seems to be behind all the other lakes, due to water fluctuations and weather. Fishing back in shallow coves should not be overlooked. Also fishing rock bluffs, wooded banks, and drop offs have been also been treating anglers well. Several small fish are being caught, however, I have not heard of any size being caught. The tournaments are being won with just a few pounds. The depth to fish will depend on the area that you are fishing. Anglers prefer using flukes, shad resembling lures, crank baits, Carolina-rigs, spinner-baits, rattle traps, float-n-flies, and jigs with trailers. These fish have been picky over the last few weeks but constantly improving.
CRAPPIE
Fair. Fishing shallow coves with heavy brush are the preferred areas, approximately 12-20 feet deep. The fishing has proved to be somewhat slow over the past couple of weeks. I have not seen any crappie in the last couple months, nevertheless, anglers are constantly working to catch these fish. Bull Run Creek has started to attract several anglers on the clear and sunny days when the water is clear. The AM & PM hours are both good times to be fishing. Anglers prefer minnows as their # 1 bait however, small grubs on lead-heads, and float-n-flies are also preferred.
STRIPED BASS
Fair. Some good catches have been reported on the upper Clinch and near Bull Run Steam Plant. Gizzard shad and cut-bait are the #1 choice, nevertheless, Rapala top-water plugs and jigging spoons should not be frowned upon. Anglers trolling with minnows are also giving fair reports. The majority of the good catches have either been early morning or late evening, however, on the Clinch the water should be running to be good fishing. I have had few reports of these fish being caught.
CATFISH
Fair. Bank anglers around Bull Run Steam Plant are having on and off days. There have been several reports of catfish being caught. The preferred baits are minnows, night-crawlers, cut-bait, and liver. Some are catching catfish on artificial lures.
TROUT
Good. The trout are doing really well. I have seen these fish hit anything from worms and salmon eggs to bass plugs. The water should be clear and running in order to be good fishing.
[signature]