underwater observations

[Jim Kinner]

I have spent a lot less time underwater this summer. But I have spent a few hours down there, and have made some observations. Every season is different.

Most notably, the round goby population seems to have crashed. A few years back, they covered every rockpile, there must have been hundreds of thousands of them in the river, maybe millions. Now, you have to look to find them, and they are tiny and few when you do.

There were a lot of walleye around in June, but we are only seeing normal amounts, or less, for this point in the season now.

I normally see 3 muskies on average per drift. This year, it's just over one. Most are medium to large, no 2 footers this year so far .

Smallmouth bass are fewer as well. Most seem dark in color, more so than usual ( smallies seem to have a lot of different colorations, so it might not mean much). Many are lumped up , sporting sores and fungus. 

Except for a few small schools of pinheads, there isn't any bait around.

Several areas that were once carpeted by dead mussel shells have blown clear, exposing gravel (good) or muck(bad). Vis has been poor to decent, disturbing the muck will make it all the worse, and It's tough to stay out of it.

So, from an underwater video standpoint. This is a bad year. I hit my absolute favorite drift dive perfectly Saturday. It is generally a stunning dive. Conditions were good, the sun broke through to light it up for us. We generally see almost 200 game fish on this drift (it has 2 different busted up wrecks, 3 major rockpiles, a weed edge, and numerous shallow depressions and small reefs, so that's not an exaggeration. We saw about 50. 

We decided it wasn't worth diving or fishing Sunday. So, I guess I went redneck. Drank too much Saturday night, woke up Sunday hangin' a bit, went to Walmart for a few things, then watched the NASCAR race. Y'all can call me Jim-Bob. Sure hope things pick up soon.  

[John Jarosz]

Hey, Jim-Bob...what a great report.  I kept looking at the videos below for more vids from you.  They are enjoyable to see a world that we don't get to see.

Hopefully you'll spend more time below the surface.  Right now toxic mortgages have spent more time underwater than you!!

..and thanks much for the tips on Clayton.  Had a really good time.  I'll send you an email.

yesiree...since you're a Redneck now, make sure you have "cats & dogs" for dinner Friday.  Deeeelicious!

[Jim Kinner]

It's sort of hard to get the motivation to dive when the weather's cool, the vis isn't great and the fish are scarce. I'll get out some, however.

Glad you enjoyed Clayton, and I hope you got a northern on the fly. It seems like a decent first step on your quest for a fly rod musky!