By Robert Johnson – Well, it’s almost Christmas and I wonder how many wives got their man a new fishing rod and new tackle. I don’t think I have gotten anything for a birthday or Christmas for over 10 years that didn’t relate to fishing. Except from my wife when she was with us. After almost 20 years of it she would buy me something so I would stay home more, like a lawnmower. But everybody else figured if it related to fishing, I would put it to good use. I still think of Kathy being born here in Eureka almost 60 years ago and all the changes since that one room schoolhouse. Only time she ever fished was with her Dad, Jack Johnson, off Beaver town bridge for perch. Merry Christmas, Kathy. Here’s a pic of Kathy and granddaughter, Courtney Medleton when it all started more than 20 years ago.
Well, I’m rambling on because with this cold front not a lot of fishing been going on. The fish are still here and still need to eat. The air temperature is not part of the survival of fish. It can adjust the water a few degrees but nothing like that cold wind we had when this cold front came in. It’s over now and we are getting warmer days.
Johnny Glantz (Big 1’s Striper Guide) had a trip out Saturday morning before the front came in and he honestly had his best day of the year. After hearing some big fish ran upriver he put in at Hickory Creek out of Springdale to fish the White and War Eagle arms of Beaver. Went to our favorite spot where we catch them in the spring when the spawn is on. They had fish in as soon as they started dropping lines in. He had nine stripers in the boat the first 30 minutes with three in the 30-pound range. All four people in his boat had their limit the first hour, so they ran upriver a ways with him to see what all is involved in netting shad and played with some light tackle for some green fish. (That’s bass to Johnny.)
Now the good thing about the cold front: The river is only running about 50 foot deep now so it cools more and faster than the lake, so all that bait and stripers have to come back this side of the Hwy. 12 bridge for warmer water now and should stay put until February into March when it starts warming again.
So we’re still fishing out of Prairie Creek in Rogers unless something changes like last year when they opened the floodgates for the first time in winter and brought the stripers closer to our end. Walleye and bass, trout and crappie are still being caught here at Holiday Island. But a lot of our warm water fish have moved north closer to Eagle Rock for warmer water. Going into the mouth of Roaring River could pay off now.
Well, I better get some chores done here. Grab a pole when you see the sun, especially if the winds are calm, and you might just be surprised on how good the fishing might be. We’re still selling our gift certificates at a 10 percent off for any date you choose in 2017. These make good stocking stuffers. Also still doing the 1 person 1/2 off til February. If you see one of those pretty days coming, grab that pole or give us a call. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.
Robert Johnson, fishofexcellence.com, (479) 253-2258