Flats

Many people refer to flats on the river and sometimes in reference to wingdams. What types of areas are you referring to? Do you prefer above or below the dams? Do you target the flat-channel drop off or the flat itself? What makes one flat better than another (other than some hold fish )? Is this a season dependent pattern?

Thanks,

Pete

The term “flats” my be over-used a bit in discussion between fisher-folk but for good reason. This type of “structure” holds fish year round, are found all over the river, and can be very productive when fished correctly.

Flats “form” by being protected from eroding river currents. You’ll find flats between wingdams, backside of river bends, downstream of shoreline obstructions…. and if they have a pronounced drop-off, they all provide two things…

1) – protection on top of the flats for predators & prey from strong river currents

2) – Access to deeper water.

In periods of low-light or when fish are feeding actively, I usually fish the top of the flats. During the middle of the day or at times when fish are less agressive, I general find fish down off the flat somewhere on the break or tucked tight to the bottom at the base of the break.

Some flats are better than others for sure. Things I look for….. secondary structure like rocks, sunken timber, depressions on top of the flat unrelated to the break into deeper water, rip rapped shorelines, clam beds, and a sharp-quick break off the edge of the flat into deeper water. A undefined, gradual break on the backside of a river bend rarely holds a good population of fish.

My favorite way to fish these areas is to hold my boat just off the deep edge of the flat, cast light jigs up onto the flat and let the current wash the jig downstream and slightly down the break into the channel. Works darn good for me.