So I have been shore fishing the North side quite unsuccessfully the last two weeks. A few bites and no fish. Lots of debris in the water that ends up on the line.
We are supposed to get a good rain tomorrow (Weds) and then a nice warm up. Saturday looks to be the best day to sit on the shore all afternoon and sip beer.
Anybody have any thoughts/strategies for Saturday with the recent rain and warm up?
I am far from an expert, so I will make predictions instead of what others will tell you. Look for anywhere the water is flowing into the river, be it a creek or storm sewer. Those are great bets any time of the year, but more so in the spring as a lot of fish will be staging there. It will be interesting to hear how they do down at Mill Ruins. I think I stumbled upon a pattern there that there is always a few days when the water first shoots up into the 40s in the spring. Those first few days are always hot. Then I think a combination of well fed cats that then disperse more leads to a slower bite. Even though the water temps dropped back down, I think that first bonanza is over. There will still be a decent bite down there. I personally have another spot in mind with the river being up a little. One is a storm sewer and the other is a sandy wash below some riffles.
As for debris, I know your pain. Last year these same spot I would collect sticks and leaves from the under current. That makes setting the hook a challenge. You might think you have tight line, but it may actually be bowed out bad from the debris acting like a kite in the current.
That sounds like about what I was thinking Pug. I am thinking about maybe trying the mouth of Shingle Creek or a few other spots.
Shingle creek has a lot of cover like dead trees and a sandbar right at the mouth. I think I’ll throw some stinky shad in there and see what happens.
You ever fish the CR dam area? I do know of a couple other spots that way, as I am originally a Friendly Fridleyan, or is it Fridleyite? You may or may not know about them. Under the 694 bridge on the east side is decent. There’s a big storm sewer there. Bring along some corn and/or crawlers. If the water is up a bit, the fish will get pressed against the shoreline, especially on the upstream side of that culvert, on the N side of the bridge. Cast out about 5-10′. That worked last year. Careful though, that short of line means they will smack the bait hard and if your rod isn’t secure, they pull it in quicker than you can react.
Another spot I like to hit is the creek on the south end of the CR Dam park (east side). It’s a lot quieter too. This time of year you catch cats and suckers.
I’ve never hit Shingle creek, so let us know how you do this weekend.
Pug, the correct term is Fridleyite, as I am one.
I know the areas you speak of well. Last summer we took the boat out to that island just north of 694 and camped out all day fishing on it. The south end of the island is a nice series of humps with slow current breaking into fast on either side. Good channel cat waters there.
Now as far as the culvert goes, are you talking about the one that is just south (i.e. directly underneath) the 694 bridge? I always thought that was really rocky and snaggy right there.
If you guys think the spring bonanza is over. you may want to guess again.
Unstable weather patterns and water temperatures this time of year with cats will make the fish as unpredictable as the weather. We had water in the low-mid 40’s, then it dropped to the mid 30’s.. even the crappies pulled out. Should we assume crappie fishing is over too?
Keep in mind, we’re also targeting nocturnal fish. Expecting them to eat everything that lands in the water at noon is a bit unrealistic… but I sure would expect bites around dusk, even when the weather is unstable within reason.
I mean the large culvert. I was just distiguishing it from the little dinky drain they recently put in a few yards downstream of the bridge. It is pretty snaggy under and around the bridge, but that’s also why it holds fish.
Dave, I am not saying it is over and I could be proven wrong by even better fishing ahead. I just looked back to last year and those warm days a few weeks ago and saw that there was one or two days of phenomenal fishing when the water sharply rose into the lower 40s. I’d just be surprised to see it get as good as those few days you saw a couple weeks back. I know with the warmer weather that it should be better than last weekend…especially if I stay away. 
Pug.. something drastic happens when the water temps hit the mid 40’s.. the fish start to hunt for food, not just nibble if you land on top of them.
Right now with the flow up, there is all kinds of stuff floating down the main channel and adding food into the system, along with a whole lot of leaves and debris to make fishing more difficult. The fish have been feeding great all winter(very fat right now) which means they can be selective about their food choices. There are plenty of things starting to work against us.
Nobody said it was always going to be easy, but if you spend a little time, and put some effort into fishing, it will pay off with some very good outings.
Pressure is also an issue, the fish wise up quick when 20 people show up and start catching fish at will.. the fish will move. You have a choice to find where the fish have moved to, or figure out when the fish are moving back in to feed at a time when they are less pressured.
I cant encourage anyone enough to get a fishing rig capable of making some very long cast… areas where other anglers cant reach is also unpressured water.
Instead of watching American Idol the next time its on, you should go fishing instead 
Agreed Dave.
I have noticed that with the new Abu 6500C3 and a 8′ pole I am adding about 15 yards to my casts. I used to have difficulty hitting the main channel at my favorite spot, but now I hit it at will.
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Instead of watching American Idol the next time its on, you should go fishing instead
I’ll start fishing as soon as Sanjay gets voted off.
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Instead of watching American Idol the next time its on, you should go fishing instead
Smack him Sherry! 
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Smack him Sherry!
Oh Brian, remember how you told me about how you cried like a baby when Chris Daughty got voted off last year? Whoops, I forgot you also said to never let anyone know. My bad.
Thanks for bringing back old painful memories…and telling the world.
Well just be happy I didn’t tell everyone about your Clay Aiken crush.
If work has me come in early Thursday, I will be hitting the ruins that day. I notice the water temps are starting to creep up.
Saturday panfishing on the ice.
And the big Ruben Super-fan chimes in…nice job Ron.
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Instead of watching American Idol the next time its on, you should go fishing instead
Smack him Sherry!
OK! 
Always lookin for a reason to smack him. 
MMMmmmm… Reubins!!!
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