Considering a mission to Ringold for Springers this weekend. I would appreciate any information that you would be willing to share.

I am especially interested in whether or not htere is camping in the immediate area, and whether or not there is a burn ban in effect there or in Grant county. I know the ban starts something like May 1 or 15 or maybe it's 1 June?

We are considering plunking and I read that 12 to 16 ounce weights are used. Can you get away with smaller stuff than that? We will be bringing the drift gear, too.

As always any information will be greatly appreciated. You can e-mail me at a-r@pourette.com and I will let you in on an excellent trout fishing hole/method.

GutZ

I have camped there for hunting season. Unimproved areas, just find a spot and set-up camp. I don't know about the burn ban. For plunking try 4-6oz. That should work just fine. Herring and spin-n-glos has been the usual offerings. If you use eggs, you'll get alot of squawfish bites. Last week was real good, but Saturday was slow (according to a couple of friends).

I have camped there for hunting season. Unimproved areas, just find a spot and set-up camp. I don't know about the burn ban. For plunking try 4-6oz. That should work just fine. Herring and spin-n-glos has been the usual offerings. If you use eggs, you'll get alot of squawfish bites. Last week was real good, but Saturday was slow (according to a couple of friends).

I have fished there quite a bit, you can camp wherever you want. I was there Saturday and it was slow, I saw about 5 fish landed, all of them were small. i was holding bottom with 8oz. Most guys were using spin n glows in front of either small herring or smelt, I coulden't tell which. I tried tuna balls (always wanted to give them a shot) and got nothing. The report I got was that it was very good throughout the week.
Good Luck

I've been there the last two days before work, it's pretty slow. Tuesday 6-10AM, 7 fish for 70 rods. Today 5-7:30AM, 3 for 35 rods(the ones I could see). Not a lot of fishing time. It used to always open the 15th of May, allowing for a whole lot of fish to stack up out front prior to the opener, and hot fishing. I haven't seen it, but I have heard from several sources that last week was very good.
I would suggest 8 ounces to stay down, and most guys are throwing grapplers(prongs of wire sticking out the side). Herring is the ticket, and this year they are using SMALL herring. Not sure whether it's just a supply and demand thing, but they are small. I've seen nor heard of any magic colors for spin and glows. It seems like everyone is throwing a different color. Try the usuals; chrome with a chartreuse or red top, peach, sunrise, solid red, etc.. Everyone does seem to be throwing white wings, though. Good luck, plunking is not my favorite technique, i'll be elsewhere. So many options.......

Thanks!

We did make over to Ringold Saturday afternoon and fished with 200 of our closest friends. Didn't touch a fish in the brutal Mariah, until the Sun touched down on Hanford. At that precise moment we got a fish and the **** stop howling. Camped right on the river.

Got two more Sunday, but for most it was a bit slow. Heard rumor of a big bite on friday.

Fish checker says there is a 950 fish Quota, so not sure how much longer it will be open.

Thanks again for the tip about herring. I never would have thought of that, that far up the River.

So, in addition to bringing the things above, I would like to add a
windbreaker. You might also consider bringing your own rock.

GutZ

[ 05-07-2001: Message edited by: GutZ ]

Thanks for all of the info. GutZ and I made it to Ringold Saturday afternoon. I picked up a 10# Saturday evening and Gutz a 10# and 13# Sunday morning.

What a sight! Estimated 185 people on Sunday all shoulder to shoulder, but all having fun and some catching fish. Was blasting wind an Saturday, but amazing enough it died down right when I caught my fish. As that was my first ever springer, it felt like a sign from the fish gods. Was a beautiful calm day on Sunday. After a few caight in the morning hours it really slowed down and we left at 2:00.

Not exactly our style of fishing, but had fun and got some for the smoker.