The conditions on Pool 14 still leave a lot to be desired, but the fish are beginning to feed if you put in the time to find them. The water is still very muddy and full of grass, high and very fast. I ventured out without my camera due to an intermitant drizzle and low expectations!
Early morning I spent pitching jigs to riprap, then vertical jigging some main channel current breaks. Several short walleyes made it to the boat, along with a couple nice 15-16" smallies. Pitching ringworms in chart/glitter and red/black produced most of these fish, along with a couple vertically jigging a chart/pepper SuperDo.
Mid-morining I opted to give the tailwater area a try, but found the water much to dirty, and Corps of Engineers barges loaded with rock tied to the lock wall and the Iowa side riprap. I worked a few current seams while there, with no takers other than a 12 pound Buffalo which slammed my SuperDo!
With the tailwaters a bust, I headed for some backwater current seams, and found some very nice fish willing to take my offering. One 19" eye on a Catalpa Orange Do, then I switched up and began trolling Rattlin’ Rogues on 3 ways, weaving in and out of the current in the slough. Within an hour, I had a 22", 25", 25.5", and 27" fish in the boat! All came in 10-14′ of water along a couple of strongly defined current seams. These fish where hanging on the drop between slack water at around 6-8′, and deeper fast moving water. Black/Silver Rogues got the nod for best performance.
Needless to say I was quite upset with myself for leaving the camera at home!
In summary, the fish are there and feeding actively, it just takes a little more time to locate and dial in on them with the nasty condition of the river. It should begin to improve dramatically, especially the pitching bite, when the water drops and cleans up in a couple weeks.
Glad to see you boated some fish John
. It’s killing me not being able to fish the river 
. I should be back sometime in December. When I roll back into town, we will have to hook up and stick a few. Can’t wait to get back. See you soon. 
Tony
Thanks for the report. Sounds like a very good day on the water with those last fish you caught.
Thanks, Bill
Hey Tony! That’s great news! I’ll sure take you up on that December trip. This report was the best day I’ve had in some time for quality fish. It really took me by surprise!
Great report John,I probably won’t get out till I stick a big one.Glad to see you had a very good day.
Hi John I`ll give you a call to see if we can get out. Things are busy at work. Lets get you,me and tony together for a day. in Dec. I have a couple of days open then. Nice fish buddy.