river got a little lower only about 400 CFS over normal flow. took water temps today 79.8 on a flat with decent flow in the sun. the rest of the conditions about the same as yesterday except the wind was a little stronger. It still didn't really help sweltering in breathables while hiking to and from locations.

The day started with a real bang, fished a rattlebait on a flat about 3 to 3.5 ft deep in front of a riffle. I got 7 walleye in the 20 to 23 inch range in about 25 casts. I was ready for prime time TV. Uh-uh sure I was. The rest of the day it was a fish here, a fish there. The next most consistent pattern was channel cats in wood, in shade, with current on jig/eire darter- got 4 of them.

Seven smallmouth rounded it out, hit three banging crankbaits off the front face of what passes for boulders in this river. I got the other four bouncing a 2/0 weighted keeper with a 5 inch twister down current seams. The biggest was the second to last fish of the day, a fat lipped, broad shouldered, large girthed 19.5 incher. Despite catching thepig, I quit shortly afterwards about 1:30 Pm. I went thru many bottles of ice waterbut was still feeling a bit iffy, so I bagged it in favor of a cold shower. Lord knows, I'd prefer to wet wade in the heat, but can't for medical reasons. Getting old sucks but beats the alternative.

i might take my boys down there tomorrow or saturday morning.

They will start out fishing, then fun turns to critter hunting and rock throwing.

ill follow your lead with the plastics, use darker green/browns?

flow should be almost summertime normal in a day or so.
thanks Norm!

browns, greens, smoke, translucent. for low clear water I use plastics that I've bleached a lot of the color out by sticking them in a ziploc bag with water. toss the bag in the rear window for a week or two. got some smoke that turned grayish white, looks minnowish. got some purples that I don't quite know what it is now but it looks cool.

not much of a color guy as the water is usually murky enough to not matter. sometimes though in low, clear flows the washed out look can click. just looks natural, non threatening and edible.

should work on other rivers or creeks.

used to bring small nets like aquarium sized and live well sized for the kids to collect critters with. concession stand at the state park is closed, you can run down to the Trading Post in Altorff, just past the east entrance of the park.