Gary Flippin's Fishing Report
February, 2011
Greetings and Happy New Year from Rim Shoals
Hope everyone got a chance to get out and enjoy the spring weather that we had the last couple of days of January. The low water and 60 plus degree weather was a great package deal from Mother Nature and the Corp. As I write this report, it's time to bundle up again and bring in some more wood as we go into another blast of winter. Generally this time of year, cold events are short lived and we can expect good days ahead.
The water seems to be on a pattern … good for boaters pattern. The advantage of living here is that you can fish the prime times of the day and catch fish. Wading the edges with sink tip lines, or full sinking lines in heavy flows with large streamers, produces big strikes. Boat Ramps are smorgasbord areas for big browns. 30 minutes before daylight until 2 hours after daylight guarantees big bites. Around public ramps you must give way to boats launching and taking out as they have priority. Even with the big flows (15000 cfs plus) the water is staying very clean and very fishable. These flows are producing the monster browns.
We could see some spotty shad kills but don't expect significant kills unless the temps stay down. Try some midge action on sunny calm days. Watch for small Blue winged olive hatch during mid day where it’s calm and sunny. Pink is hot!! Green/Olive sow bugs are always good. If you're a stripper, try white Jigs, white streamers, and white and gray clousers. Use a sink tip with 4' to 6 ' 3x fluorocarbon or heavier with larger streamers.
Expect low water on week-ends from now into spring. Wade safe. Wade smart. Always have an out. Wade with someone or let someone know your plans. Do not under estimate these tailwaters nor try to outguess the corps.
Rim Shoals will be presenting a tailwater safe boating seminar at Sow Bug. Plan to attend. We will be covering facts that will get you on and off the water safely. Perhaps with a little preparation and a blessing from the fish Gods, you’ll have some good fishing in between.
Good Luck, Good Fishin’. And I hope you catch ‘em all.
Flip at Rim.
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