I'm going to get killed for posting this but here goes...


Fish are in thick. 15% or so are "chromers", the rest are already starting to show light to moderate color. Water is low, and very clear unless fishing downstream of 200 people kicking up muck. Water temps are in the mid 50's depending on time of day. Fishing is very tide dependant, as well as just completely variable. More fish have moved in over the last three days then probably the previous ten. But no guarantee that you'll take home fish.

Expect super heavy crowds this weekend. The weekdays have been crowded all day as well. Expect beligerant drunks to be hatching around 2pm, with a full swarm by 6 pm. If you bring your kids this weekend try and get away from the crowds.

Tips:


HEAVY LINES Heavy mainlines on baitcasters, use 10-20 pound flouro leaders, or Yo Zuri hybrid line as leader material(my fav). These are big fish, probably averaging 16 pounds this year. I have had 5 fish over twenty pounds for only 7 days of fishing.


FOLLOW YOUR FISH. Follow your gawd damm fish if he goes downstream. Don't stand with your feet planted and say stupid crap like "well I guess he's going to break me off". Chase him down, gain line, move his head, let people know your coming up or going downstream, fight him like a champ, not a flat footed wusshole. Also if your lucky enough to have room to let your fish run, then let him make his runs. Don't clamp your drag down tight and bust off 6 fish in a row (like I've seen done below the meathole all week long). If you have lots of snags then you have no choice sometimes but to button down.


BRING POLARIZED GLASSES These fish will hold up in inconspicous holes. Easily visible to those with 'xray' glasses. I do judge people all the time. I don't think much of guys who consider themselves fishermen who reel with their spinning reels upside down, and argue that they see as many fish as I do with their naked eyes. You'll know if your one of the elite if I call you Ricky Bobby, or Napoleon and ask you to take two steps back because your stepping on my fish.


FIND YOUR OWN FISH. This means move around. Sometimes a pool full of fish is so harrassed its impossible to get them to bite. Find smaller pockets and hit unmolested fish. The limit is one fish per day. Why do you need a pool with 400 fish that won't bite when a pocket that holds 6 fish and most biters will fill the cooler quicker? Get away from the crowds, unless you enjoy socializing. Yes, sometimes the guys in the meatline are freaking hilarious.


Pick blackberries in the afternoon if the bite is slow or the tide is wrong. Don't waste your energy in the hard part of the day. Enjoy yourself. Take a nap, grab some Olympic Ice Cream from Hunters Farm. Talk with your kids. Most of all have fun and good luck.


VHawk.