Cant find any pics of Lilydale. What’s the current like there during high water?
New to me big boat has a guy looking like a newbie again launching/loading. Have been out to Hidden Falls know with the current and no boat guides on trailer yet that launch simply isn’t a good idea. Do want to fish the upper stretch of the pool though.
Cancel that, watched this real fancy youtube video on how to load a boat in current and then found my pair, feeling more confident.
Let the boat do all the work.
Most my loading in current I’m approaching from downstream and turning into the trailer.
Even when you master that, guides are amazing.
I would agree with approaching from down river and turning into the trailer. At Hidden falls and sometimes lillydale that can be a good way to park the boat in the rocks. Hidden falls has a terrible back current right before hitting the trailer. Pair that up with a fast down river current just a few feet out from that and it makes that ramp a fun one. Lilydale is not nearly as bad but similar conditions. No docks at ether one. Shore parking at lilydale is either rocks or cement ramp. Take your pick. At least hidden falls has gravel to shore park on.
Other choices are the state park landing and water gate marina. Water gate being the best .
That back current at Hidden Falls can be tricky. Even with guides it takes some skill to nail it when the current is really moving. I’ve helped others that struggle with it and gotten help a few times. Seems like most people that use that launch understand how tricky it can be. The sand/gravel on the north side of the launch is ok to park the boat. You have to be really careful in high water because there are some rocks there.
The launch at the state park is nice and protected. For Watergate I think you need to call ahead and get a code to use it on the weekends, especially early or late in the year.
Off topic…..There is a good group of people that live at Watergate year round….very helpful if you have troubles. Last year I took my lower unit out by the confluence right before dark on a Sunday. I was able to get to Watergate with the trolling motor hoping someone would be around because it was early March. Guy that lives there gave me a ride to Hidden Falls to get the trailer and then helped me load the boat up. I only had to give him a couple of Mich Golden Lights for the trouble.
If you stay after dark, the 5-10 bucks at Water Gate is a good investment.
No current
Great dock
Gated facility
Good lighting
Far less questionable characters
Only catch is trying to get a code as they have odd hours until things warm up.
I’m going to be on the river next Thursday, the 30th. I haven’t ever been on pool 2 before. I plan on being quite cautious, but I would love any advice from any of you who have experience of this area. I’m planning on launching from the Watergate Marina and then heading up stream to fish near the lock and dam.
Key to Hidden falls ramp is to angle the boat upstream which is really downstream with the eddie. Lillydale is much easier no real current issue unless you have very high water levels.
Never launched at the Marina.
For entertainment go and watch the Hidden falls ramp some weekend. Especially when there are 2 trailer on it at once. It is like a game of bumper boats.
I’m going to be on the river next Thursday, the 30th. I haven’t ever been on pool 2 before. I plan on being quite cautious, but I would love any advice from any of you who have experience of this area. I’m planning on launching from the Watergate Marina and then heading up stream to fish near the lock and dam.
Launching at Watergate will be a piece of cake. Good idea for the first time. There are seams all over by the dam. I usually stay on the west side and drag jigs or use live bait there. Just keep moving around and you should find fish. You can troll all the shorelines up and down pool 2 but the water might be a tad cold for that. The confluence can produce fish but gets some heavy pressure. Just look for current breaks and seams and keep moving. Anywhere can hold fish so don’t always chase the crowd.
I’m heading down tomorrow so I’ll post a report.
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