Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

[roscoe]

Stopped at the Willow today, haven't been there in over 30 years.<br />Water very low, locals arguing if it is 4' low, or 8 ' low.<br /><br />Many sandbars exposed. FishingHotspots map says 25'deep, but it was only 15-16'.<br />Then out of the blue it is only 2' deep. Map shows 25', smooth flat bottom. ???<br /><br />Didn't fish much, but picked up 2 small eyes and a big perch while drifting and eating lunch.<br /><br />Launched at the north beach landing. Had to back off the end of the concrete then 50'+ to get to the edge of the water. All 4 tires of the Blazer were in the water and the trailer bunks were still above water. <br /><br />Pushed the boat off the trailer, good thing I wd-40'd the bunks last month. Foound the nice deep concrete launch site next to the dam when I went to park the truck. <br /><br />Met 4 guys from Indianapolis. They had 2 very overloaded 15' boats. They came up to camp on one of the islands for a week. One boat was an old Mark Twain with an io. but the tilt didn't work, stuck up, prop barely in the water. Camping gear stacked 2' over the gunnels. Their other boat was just packed level with the top, but only had a 6hp. Slow going to say the least.<br /><br />I shot ahead and figured out where Rock Island was ( their destination) and led them there. I hope they stay warm tonight - frost expected, had a hard freeze last night.<br /><br />The Willow is nothing like the stumpy, rocky, or weedy lakes I am used to fishing. Sand sand sand and stumps.<br /><br />Wilderness, only 3? buildings on the entire shoreline of the 6500 acre flowage, the rest is state owned and open for camping.<br /><br />So how about so hints on where to find the northerns? <br />Might go back on Friday if it isn't storming.<br /><br />Took a drive down your road Barlow, looking for the 2 holer.<br />I barely made it to the gas station without having an accident. <br /><br />Bedtime now, as I'm off to the Rainbow Flowage tomorrow morning.

 

[Barlow]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

<br /><br />I hope you were taking it easy on the gas coming from Y on Rocky Run.. its a low maintainance deer path covered with gravel .. better suited for a ralley car at any speed.<br /><br />Let me dig up a few bits of info that'll put you guys close to a little action .. need to finish up some work for a 10:30 but I'll gett'er up asap for ya.<br /><br />I bet the Mobile station never looked so good on the corner of K and 39

 

[roscoe]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

Rocky Run was real nice, just graded I think, better than what I am used to.<br /><br />Was it a Mobil station? Didn't notice. The porcelin worked, thats all that mattered.<br /><br />No Rainbow flowage today, as fishin partner's dog had to go and have puppies a week early. First time for him, first time for her, and he's worried.<br /><br /> Will hit local Spirit lake this evening.<br /><br />Rainbow or Willow tomorrow.<br /><br />Dang, 4 straight days of perfect cloudless blue sky.<br /><br />Thanks for any tips.

 

[Barlow]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

They're screwin' with the levels there all the time .. the Tomahawk River (where the Dam and launch are) is host to Kayak events so they dump water levels to make the tree huggers happy among other rediculous reasons now that the DNR has a grip on the system and the power company runs the dam - Anywho...what you saw on your finder was the old river channel (obviously)... and if your buds haven't been on it before with the levels where they're at they'll be supprised more than once in a mornings jaunt. Hope they're the careful type.<br /><br />

<br /><br />Hot-n-tots, Wiggle-warts, Bombers, Fat-raps and the like for trolling cranks ... the water as you noticed is stained brown so baits that are bulky as those listed that move water and rattle are key for ya... if you go on a cruise to check stuff out look at northern shorelines and if you see flashes if light coming from the sand drive up, land the boat, and walk the shoreline... you'll see what I mean.<br /><br />colors: silver/blue-or-black ** w/red **and if theres no red - take a sharpie and add it to the gills, chin, and mark a line down the bottom of both sides .. troll on boards or flat line. start @ 2mph gps and fool with the speed and make your 'S' turns... I'll put money on the hits coming on the turn (speed change of inside and outside of the turn). <br /><br />Mono bait rigs in green-or-orange w/yellow stripe on Colorado blades (no willow blades! cause ya gotta go for the 'thump' and move water)tipped with crawlers or med. fatheads ... leeches work too - just make sure they're jumbos.<br /><br /><br />jigging .. 1/8oz - 1/4oz Orange or yellow heads tipped with bait - crawlers and leeches work best but at night switch to large fat heads in less than 8' of water against shorelines that are scattered with wood/stumps/rock and gravel.<br /><br />gotta find my map so I can show a few spots to target

 

[roscoe]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

Wow, lots of info, thanks.<br />I found your water level website, that will come in handy.<br />Just not used to fishing reservoirs where they mess with the water levels, except for a winter drawdown. That and all the sand seems to make it almost impossible for the weeds to take hold.<br /><br />The fish were all tight to the bottom, middle of the day, bright sun. Was jigging bottom when I caught the two. Trolled with medium bucktail, husky jerk, and rattlin Raps too, but then decided it ws time to drive around and explore.

 

[Barlow]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

well roscoe .. I came to the point that I'm believing my map of the flowage is up at the shack or I lent it out to someone.. anywho .. I got this map off of the DNR site and she's a doosie so bear with me ..

 

[Barlow]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

ok roscoe ... here it is ... shoot straight across from the Dam landing to the west ... staying in the river channel (southern shoreline of the bay that the dam is in) that branches off the main river bed - - you'll probably notice as soon as you make yourself out of the bay that there will be a sand bar to your right/in-front of you and an island to the left... hug the island you should have enough water there to power through with no obsticles.<br /><br />as soon as you pass the island, look 10-11 oclock (watch face) ... there will be a group of three islands that you'll be able to make out when you get closer.<br /> --You've obviously fished flowages before so you know how islands can appear to be main shorelines-<br />stay to the right of these islands or go to your left -inside- of the group. when you approach and your between them you'll be marking stumps and boulders --- your map will probably not have this on it. this is where ya start tooling around. <br />you'll notice a river inlet on west shoreline that on the north side of the inlet will be a camp site .. <br /><br />bango walleyes //// go into the river inlet and back in there you'll find more weed than a hemp farmer ... northerns.<br /><br />Top water for the musky... spinnin' buck tails and poppin' spooks and the like ... might want to try spinner baits in dark colors with red or purple in them associated with black w/hammered Colorado blades. Finesse with big plastics .. you can't beat 'em some days.<br /><br />Good luck and I hope this helps as little .. wish i was free this weekend then I'd meet ya guys up there and join in the fun but, I have to pay the light bill - ya know.<br /><br />e-mail me @ t j _ k i n d e r @ h o t m a i l if ya want to.

 

[Barlow]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

 

[Barlow]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

<br /> insulin needle is used to 'puff' crawler tails ... or heroin when you just wanna enjoy the ride ...lol J/K!!<br /><br />

<br />here are a few baits that I'm 're-building' with the jigs I use... the grub tail/slo-poke combo's work great by themselves if you find that fish are shallow - less then 3' during the day but, thats an early season tactic that will work sometimes through-out the year.<br /><br />

<br />have a lot of my mentioned baits up at the shack and in the boat but the Raps I've got pictured here are a few that you might not want to ignore too ... yes, bass jig with a trimmed craw dressing .. you mighta noticed the rocks at the Dam launch are littered with craws ... Slug-go and Hawg-craw on a 5/0 are fun too... inlines are #3 Mepps and obviously larger along with a vibrax thats been good to me at times but these smaller inlines will get you lunch more often then drag screaming battles..<br /><br />Wish ya luck ...

 

[roscoe]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

Looks alot like my tackle box assortment, but I can never remember the names of them. Never had much luck with the larger plastics, but I keep trying them.<br /><br />I was just 100 yards to the north of your islands and bay entrance the other day. Don't think I can get into the weedy bay with the water levels so low, but will try. Evertthing on the map that shows 10', is now only 2'.<br /><br /> We use a lot of spinners like the ones you have on the Lindy rig holder, when we are up in Canada. But we make em up using steel leader material, cause the northerns are always biting them off. Hammered copper or hammered brass are the top performers up there in the stained water.<br /><br />I even have the insulin needles from when I injected my animals.<br /><br />Well, thanks for the tips. I have printed them out and attached to my fishin map. Even if they don't produce this weekend, they will help next year.<br /><br />It was nice this morning, but the cold, wind, and rain moved in this afternoon and drove us off the lake.<br />I hope this cold front doesn't mess us up too bad for tomorrow.

 

[Barlow]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

humph..................<br /><br />thats right roscoe sorry got all excited about the flowage instead of shooting out pertinent info concerning the water level .. <br /><br />brain freeze<br /><br />one sec here

 

[Barlow]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

roscoe ..this completely sux ... i'm having a dandy time trying to work with what i have here and the technical side of things isn't working out .... since i got my puter back from the dealer (harddrive install) i 've been having a hell of a time ... need to try a few things here to get it worked out..

 

[roscoe]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

Well, Saturday was cold, and windy.<br />We got on the water a little before 9.<br />At 1pm, we had 1 18" walleye and a 24" northern.<br />Since we were in need of food and a tree, we made our way up to shore and warmed up some fried potatoes and corn, then fried up the 2 fish on the single burner stove. Meantime, buddy Chris was building a fire out of boredom. Got fed and warmed up and headed back out.<br /><br />Covered lots of territory and ended up with 4 more eyes, and a 28" northern.<br /><br />Spent the night in Woodruff at Chris's uncles house.<br />Headed back out Sunday, 7:30 am.<br />Warmer and less windy, still sunny, but a few clouds.<br /><br />Had caught 6 small walleyes by 9. Then they shut off.<br />Not another bite till 2pm.<br />Found some more eyes and perch. <br />Everything was light biting, mostly down deep.<br />Quit at 3:20.<br /><br />Sure would like to fish the evening feed, but don't want to get lost out there at night.<br /><br />All total, we kept 4 walleye, 1 northern, and 8 perch, plus the 2 we ate on Saturday.<br /><br />Could have been better, but concidering the conditions we did ok. <br /><br />Will definitely try to target the Willow next summer when the water is higher. Or maybe icefishing this winter.<br /><br />thanks again.

 

[Barlow]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

hmmmmmm ... did anything I mentioned help in the least bit?<br /><br />What gave you the most action?<br /><br />Sorta ticked I couldn't get more specific Roscoe.<br /><br />The 'spots' that we fish have nick-names like 'Knobb Creek Island' (like the whiskey Knobb Creek ... long story), 'the cove', 'the boulders', "Pauly's", 'the pit', 'the bay',.... w/o a map with names on it and working from a GIF. DNR image/map didn't help me any just frustrated.<br /><br />doesn't sound like ya went north of the main basin .. stayed south huh?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

Don't sweat it, you done good, did well.<br /><br /><br />Saturday, being the cold front had moved in, and the wind was gusty, we tried to stay near a west shore for a little shelter.<br /><br />Fished the areas you pointed out, but only picked up a few. <br />Learned, and were told that everything was biting real light and deep. Trolling really proved fruitless, jigging was best.<br /><br />Fished a little south of your areas, then went north to where the lake heads west, around the tip of Indian Point. Then headed west and fished where ever we found the deepest water and transitions.<br /><br />Sunday, we fished mostly in the bigger bay right where the launch is. Is this what you call the basin?<br /><br />Jig and fathead, jig and twister, tiny hammered copper spoon ( jigging it), and rattlin Rapalas produced most of the fish.<br /><br />" 'the boulders', "Pauly's", 'the pit', 'the bay',.... "<br /><br />Yeah, the bay, there's only one of those!! <br /><br />Looking forward to next year.

 

[TwoWatt]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

Hi. Since "walleyes" seem to be the fish you all seem to be talking 'bout in this thread I have to ask a few questions. <br />It is officially fall here in Indiana. I thought I'd try my luck this Sunday and try for some walleye at a never-fished lake. I will be fishing a strata-spoon, jigging off the bottom. <br />Are the fish going to be deep? The lake in question has a point they call a "dollar bar", two 40 foot drops with a 25 foot umm.. middle. Should I start on the drop offs? <br />Also, should I put out a slip bobber with something like a fuzz-e grub tipped with a minnow? Leech? Crawler? How deep should I be putting the bait? <br />Thirdly, is 6 lb fireline a bit too light(for the bobbers.... I have 14lb mono on my jig caster) I've caught a few large bass & catfish on it with no problems. The rod/reel combo's the line is on is all ultralight. <br />Looking forward to your replies. Hope to put a couple keepers in the boat. Should be a nice fight compared to the crappie/gills I normally fish for.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

All your ideas sound good to me. Just have to try them to see what will get them to bite.<br />Fish could be on the bottom from 8-40 feet deep, or just off the bottom.<br />I usually use 6-8# mono for walleyes, unless there are lots of toothy northerns in the area.<br /><br />I would start on one side of the dropoffs and drift or troll very slowly over the hump.<br />Walleyes will move shallower in dirty water, or as the sun starts to go down.<br /><br />As for the fight, a 14" crappie will put up more fight than a 20" walleye. So there is no need to use real heavy gear.

 

[TwoWatt]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

Thanks Roscoe. If I would of read back through the thread I would of seen a few tactics you guys were using. <br />I'm going to shoot deep with the strata-spoon first. Since I am familiar with these I know I am fishing them right........ mybe throw a bobber off the side just for kicks. <br />I have a nice setup I made on my boat for trolling cranks.....but since this is a new tactic for me I'm still learning to do it properly.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

This time of year, on most waters, the walleyes will congregate on the steep breaks/dropoffs, especially if there is a shallower feeding area nearby. <br /><br /> They could be at any depth along the dropoff, but I would look deep in the daytime, and shallower in the evening and early morning. They will also look for "structure" on the dropoff. Could be a pile of rocks, a log, a slightly steeper dropoff, or a ridge.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Barlow]

Re: Visited Barlow's favorite fishin hole today

<br /><br />Here ya go roscoe ... now for next time I guess.<br /><br />'the boulders' is a spot that is littered with ....boulders .. bunch of small islands sticking up that are covered in a few trees and cattails.<br /><br />this place is your first stop next spring! make note of it. use the Slo-Pokes and grub tails casting to and INTO the reeds. They pop in and out so be patient. Toss a Leech on a #6 octopus under a light slip float aroud the outside of these things too.<br /><br />Think like a Bass fisherman here... durring the day you'll notice that they'll be right up in the stuff loafin' around lookin' for an easy meal.<br /><br /> less than a foot of water for walleyes?? ... YUP!! <br /><br />anywho .. will get back to this stuff later..