Hit the river armed with cranks, plastic tails, jerkbaits, and topwaters from 5pm to 7pm. Saw some tailing carp, but didn't see a single "real" fish. No taps, bumps, hits or even mosquito bites.

Thanks for the info on the access point Ken, it was 100% accurate. I had a hard time finding the holes in the main current (well, actually my feet found them before my presentation did so that could have been one of my problems)

I think it will take me a few trips to get back in the groove, I was unsure of my footing a lot, and my set-up didn't quite allow me the casting distance I was hoping for.

I think I will give the crap plant a shot after some of these rains roll through. Just not looking forward to that long walk....

Hey Ed,
Sorry it didn't pan out. It's one of those places you have to get used to.

At the plant, remember those pipes sticking out from the end of the wall on the south? It's almost where the wall ends down from the railroad tracks. Well, if you are on the east side of the river, you can park in the gravel lot between the Marathon and the tracks, line up directly across from those pipes. At that point if you are on the shore, you should be practically standing on a big boulder. From the boulder head directly to the pipes. Stay aimed about 20 feet north of them because you're going to want to fish around them as you get there. Besides, it pushes harder and is a little deeper 20 feet south of the pipes.

That straight line, between the boulder and the pipes, is the shallowest spot to get across. Actually, there is one other but that is show and tell.

The highest the river has been when crossing there has been 1700 cfs. I don't recommend that for the squeamish.

At around 600, it should barely make it to your crotch.

That will save you from that walk you dread. Again, this will all make sense when you see it.

Thanks again for the info Ken. Maybe an early morning this weekend so I can beat the sun. That is unless we get dumped on and it's flowing at 1500+.


After re-reading some more old posts...... I realize I spent almost the entire time fishing the SOUTH side of the shore at Orchard..... hmmm..... maybe I should have been on the other side? Wish I had more time to get out there, can't tell you how good it felt to get into the water for the first time in over a decade. It's funny, the Fox has that distinctive discharge smell, but there is also something mixed in with it that reminds me of the lake I fish yearly in Ontario. I'm not sure if it's because of the amount of decaying foliage surrounding the waters edge or in the water, but there is definitely something familiar there. Regardless, I'll be back.


I ordered those boots btw, fifty bux shipped, great find, hope to get some good use out of them.