On the Beaver tailwaters, Busch Mountain Fishing Guide clients have been nabbing lots of 12 to 17-inch rainbows – best if you decide to keep any, and absolutely perfect for lots of action and making forever memories. Shrimp Fire gel and Fire bait are a must in your bait box, also you can’t beat the real thing using worms and minnows for epic days on the river.
Deeper water in the afternoon is the area to be in. When the Corps is flowing it means more drift-fishing, but the trout love lots of water and bubbles. Look for structures on the riverbed that create oxygen (bubbly waters) and you’ll find a trout hangout.
We’ve had some ups and downs this week. The brown bite has slowed some but it’s still pretty spectacular for this time of year. They’ve shown up for sculpin-colored hair jigs, minnows, and even Flicker shad – not always trophy size, but healthy, fighting browns that make your heart race while you’re waiting to see just how big that fish is on the end of your line. With the much-needed rain, the river has risen considerably, making for great days of fishing.
Hooked on Fishing Guide Service, on Beaver Lake reports that Striped bass are scattered throughout lake with the cooler water temperature. Mudflats, submerged hilltops, islands, main lake points and main channel swings throughout the lake are producing. Trolling shad, shiners and bream are producing. Long lines with lighter weights were best bite this week. Top water is present but not consistent.
The crappie bite is consistent with most fish being caught in trees and brush piles, with fish attractors and livescoping roamers on mudflats. They’re not picky on colors you just have to get a bait near them. Minnows and bobbers in treetops will keep you busy.
Bass are transitioning from deeper to shallower waters. We’re catching some on top water in the back of coves early, chasing shad. Pencil poppers, spooks and whopper ploppers are producing.
Crankbaits on points at the end of mudflats are producing walleye but mainly short fish. Hopefully, a good cold front will bring larger fish in shallower.
Catfish are active and munching. They’re holding near the bottom on end of mud flats near the main channel in 5 – 15 feet of water.
The water level is 1111.84, water temperature 62° – 67°, and how about this striper caught by Talon and his dad from Lee’s Summit, Missouri?
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