I spent the last week or so at the river and we saw plenty of changes happen over that time. The changes in water clarity, flow, and stage had an effect on what, where, when and how the bite went.
With that said I had the pleasure to share my boat with many great people and also see and meet many others. I had the pleasure to fish with Dan Meyer, Pat Reeve, Zach, River Rat Randy, Jim B, Doc Frigo, and Mark Strickland.
The bite and conditions seemed to change daily while I was there. With the warm weather we had a week and a half ago we got some much needed water and color. It went from gin clear everywhere to dirty and now back to barely stained. The river also went up about a foot and the flow increased slightly. With the river conditions changing so did the bite. The major changes I saw were color preferences and locations. Depending on the location, when the water was clear I saw a prefence for blades in the gold, black, and white color variety. When we got stained water it switched to Purple, firetiger, or black, with firetiger being the best.
We didnt see much change in water clarity from above the Vermillion up to the dam. With that said, the colors didnt seem to change a whole lot but the locations did. With the increased flow and stage it pushed the fish slightly closer to shore in shallower water and it also schooled them a little tighter. With the increased flow there was some definate current seams that are starting to show up also. Not all fish are realating to the seams yet because of the still fairly low flow but there are increasing numbers doing so.
The outlook for the upcoming bite is looking good to great. The overall size and girth on these fish so far this year are well beyond what I have ever seen in the past. The bite currently is not fast and furious, but if you put in your time you will be able to catch some fish, and have a good chance at a new personal best. With that said, I think with a little more color to the water, a little more flow, some slightly higher water, and increasing temps we will be setting up a great bite. Which I dont think is to far off in the future.
I would like to send out a quick thank you to all of you that joined me in my boat this past week. It was a great time. A special thanks goes out to Pat Reeve (Driven TV host) and his brother-in-law Zach. It was a great time talking fishing and hunting with the both of you, and hope to do it again soon.
Until next time…………..
A few more pics for this past week
Nice fish guys!
Great fish
.
Eric,
The pleasure was mine in getting to fish with you. That is a beautiful new boat you have there. Thank you, for letting me share a day in your boat with you.
Strick
Eric. A big thanks goes out to your for taking Pat, Zach and myself out. I know Pat & Zach enjoyed to time out of the woods and on the water for a change. Catching fish was a bonus. Talk to you soon. Dan
Good report Eric!The fish your holding in the top photo looks like she has 50 shad in her belly.
Thanks for the report Eric
Great report Eric.
That skeeter 1880 is one of the smoothest boats I have ridden in for some time-very comparable to Dean’s Ranger. I’d recommend anyone looking to take advantage of the test ride offer they have. Really, that test ride offer was probably dreamed up by Eric–just another excuse to get out on the water.
Jeremy
Awsoe report guys!
Hey Erick…don’t forget the P-4 Pitching Challenge! I have set up a training regimine with Dean…
We’ll even give you “home boat” advantage 
I will volunteer to break wind up front! 
Date to be Announced!
Doc, any excuse or idea I can find to go fishing I take advantage of it. You can never have to much time on the water
Tom, Your on, the next time your up we will have to do that.
Thanks all for the replies
Hoping we get some warmer weather and less wind soon 
Nice fish guys!
Eric? How do you get all those guys in your boat at once?
Nice fish Eric and i’m with you on the wind. The past 3 times out have been brutal but I’m taking my licks when I can get them.
Very very carefully
It’s kinda like filling the livewell with 40lb flatheads. Just gotta pack them in there til they all fit nice and snug 
I have to give ya props Dean, the rehab must be working since you havent spilled any in the last 2 trips out with me
