using water color as structure

[daniel2229]

My family and I are going for a week to Norris Lake the third week of July. Yep, I know that's not a good time to go fishing, but that is the way this vacation worked out.

I understand that in many places in Norris, you can see 15 feet down in very clear water. A person who is my coworker has a house on Norris near La Follette. She says that wave action creates this orange water effect near the shore. I know that there is not much in the way of structure at Norris due to winter drawdown, but I have also heard you can treat roily water as structure in itself.

OK, here's the question. Where do I fish the line between clear and colored water? Is there a lens floating near the top of the surface, or is the water more discolored towards the bottom? The latter makes more sense, but what do I know? I've never been to this lake before. I did consider taking my snorkel gear and checking it out.

Anybody out there who fishes Norris or another lake with similar conditions?

Thanks,

Daniel

 

[CATransplant]

Re: using water color as structure

I don't know that lake, but whenever I find a band of dirty water adjacent to clear water, I fish on the clear water side, right next to the change. Fish do treat it as structure, for sure, and the roiled water can stir up little goodies for the baitfish to eat. Where there are baitfish, the gamefish can't be far away.

The dirty water's also a good hiding place for the big guys, and they're not averse to emerging to grab a snack in the clear water.

 

[jtexas]

Re: using water color as structure

you bet it's an edge! fish it!

 

[Ripfence]

Re: using water color as structure

If I see a line of clear water adjacent to muddy water then I'll fish the clear side just barely encroaching on the muddy side. It seems that the bass like to hide out in the stained water and wait to ambush prey or at least that has been my experience here in TN.

 

[Plainsman]

Re: using water color as structure

Not to hijack the thread, but does the same apply to a "lane" of still water on a lake that everywhere else the water is a bit wavy?

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: using water color as structure

Dont find that situation much in the lakes I fish. It seems that the water is stained or not on the entire lake. or large portions get muddied up . Interesting topic, I'll keep my eyes open for distinct coloration bands in the water.