Soft water Powell

[bassrods]

[inline DSC04846.JPG][inline DSC04839.JPG]Went to Powell for two days of soft water fishing...

We got a room in Page and was on the water by 12:00 and headed north through the cut they dug out, wanted to run my boat some and about 20 to 30 miles up lake we slowed down...

We found the bass in the back 2/3 of the canyons with brush and broken rocks mix, but the Stripers are still in water from 30' to 60' deep...

We tried lots of lures but the drop shot worked the best of all we used..

We was going to stay till monday but the storm came in and we came home fishing was good for as cold and wet it was,I got a few pictures and will try to post them ...[inline DSC04838.JPG]
[signature]

[bassrods]

It took four tries to get the pictures on...
[signature]

[pezvela]

Nice work, Bassrods. Delighted to hear that you got into fish. Hite is still frozen, but all of that will change in the coming days.

Two week-ends ago we had very tough fishing in 48 to 50 degree surface water. All we caught were a few stripers, but that is what we targeted primarily.

I hope that Powell starts to turn on in the next few weeks, but I think that I will be preoccupied with the ice off on Utah Lake in two or three weeks.

Thanks for your report and Pic's.
[signature]

[bassrods]

Hite is not frozen it is just closed for the winter...

Be fore the storm hit the fishing was good but the wind and cold rain with the front can shut the fishing down..

And the 6" to 16" of snow made us head home early...
[signature]

[pezvela]

I should have said that there is thick ice in front of the launch ramp at hite preventing launching from there for the next week or two. It's a long boat ride in the mornings from Bullfrog to access the great fishing areas around Hite. Too cold for me for a few weeks.

And you are certainly correct that Hite or what is left there (Gas station, store,trailer rentals, etc) is closed until the end of March.

I prefer to fish the north end of the lake as it is closer to my home and I have experienced extraordinary fishing there, far better than I have found at Bullfrog, Halls, Wahweap or Antelope. The down side is, as you know, lack of lodging except a 50 mile drive back and forth to Hanksville. The rental trailers available at Hite are relatively expensive at $140.00 a night, but if several fishermen share the 3 bedroom units it is doable. This winter they closed them down until spring.

I bought a big springbar tent and I intend to camp on the lake or on the beach at Hite. It will save me money from traveling a long way everyday and the motel savings. More importantly, it will allow me 2 hours more fishing time each day.

Lake Powell is an incredible place, one of the finest fishing waters in the country with breathtaking scenery. I'm always amazed that more Utah anglers don't make a trip and enjoy this treasure.

Perhaps some day we'll meet on the lake. In the mean time, Thanks for your report and pic's. I enjoyed it.
[signature]

[Catatafish]

I too love to fish the Hite area. I usually head down the lake a bit and camp.
So you are thinking 2 more weeks until the ice is gone? How about the runoff? I went last year the first week of May and it was chocolate milk all the way down to Good Hope bay. I'd like to hit it as soon as it's warm enough to camp, and before the runoff really kicks in. Any predictions on when that might be?
[signature]

[bassrods]

The parks people said Hite was ice free now...
[signature]

[pezvela]

It could very well be, but a well known Hite fisherman posted to wayneswords.com fishing bulletin board a picture he took this last weekend of ice they tried to break through out to 100 yards in front of launch ramp. It might be gone now.

Listening to the National Park Service is a lot like listening to KSL weather....It's a dice roll at best.

From my perspective, I always consult wayneswords for absolute up to date conditions and fishing reports. I've stayed home when conditions were predicted didn't materalize and have often gone when I should have stayed home.

As far as when to go to Hite, I'm in the dark as much as the next guy. I do not believe the serious runoff will begin until April. Late March might be OK if one is tough or prepared enough to camp on the late with the potential of winds and a possibility of an early spring snow shower.
By early May the days and the water are warm, the various specie of fish are spawning or have entered the post spawn. In the past I've done exceptionally well for walleye and stripers along the mud line, but I've never had to chase clear to GoodHope to find the beginnings of clear water.

Pike are my favorite fish and we located some in Northwash, 2 mile as well as 4 mile last November and early December. With that in mind I'll probably head down in Mid-march in hopes of catching them in a spawning mood up in the ends of the bays where it is relatively shallow. It will probably be too early for bass or stripers in great numbers but maybe the crappie will be in the submerged trees.

If I was the first rate bass fisherman that Cliff is, I would fish for smallmouths, but I'm not ..........so I won't.

Good luck to all that are visiting the big lake this year, especially if you have never fished it before.

[Catatafish]

Great information, thanks.

I pulled some info off of Wayneswords and found the following. This first graph shows historical water level & inflow / outflow information:

MONTH AVG ELEVATION AVG CONTENT AVG INFLOW AVG OUTFLOW AVG HIGH TEMP AVG LOW TEMP AVG WATER TEMP [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?getmonth=1"]January[/url] 3626.23 15444981.99 8629.29 13570.59 n/a n/a -- [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?getmonth=2"]February[/url] 3624.09 15193826.10 9200.46 12388.35 n/a n/a -- [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?getmonth=3"]March[/url] 3623.34 15113596.69 10647.36 11557.43 n/a n/a -- [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?getmonth=4"]April[/url] 3623.20 15129216.62 14271.64 12740.37 n/a n/a -- [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?getmonth=5"]May[/url] 3627.74 15664795.50 30271.32 14214.97 n/a n/a -- [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?getmonth=6"]June[/url] 3639.31 16900084.20 38190.61 16106.16 n/a n/a -- [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?getmonth=7"]July[/url] 3644.00 17064229.64 19683.31 15752.21 n/a n/a -- [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?getmonth=8"]August[/url] 3641.68 16759834.96 10013.95 15443.02 n/a n/a -- [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?getmonth=9"]September[/url] 3638.35 16358334.72 9332.68 13049.46 n/a n/a -- [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?getmonth=10"]October[/url] 3636.70 16146057.50 9914.02 10641.42 n/a n/a -- [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?getmonth=11"]November[/url] 3635.59 16004985.04 10036.76 11525.56 n/a n/a -- [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?getmonth=12"]December[/url] 3632.93 15765074.16 9060.14 12609.80 n/a n/a --

This one shows a few dates from last year:


DATE MEASURED ELEVATION CONTENT INFLOW OUTFLOW HIGH TEMP LOW TEMP [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?as_of=2009-07-01"]Wed, Jul 01, 2009[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?elevation=3640.76"]3640.76[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?content=16092972"]16092972[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?inflow=39125.00"]39125.00[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?outflow=12945.00"]12945.00[/url] 100.9 73.9 [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?as_of=2009-06-01"]Mon, Jun 01, 2009[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?elevation=3629.67"]3629.67[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?content=14815913"]14815913[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?inflow=47945.00"]47945.00[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?outflow=10463.00"]10463.00[/url] 84.0 62.1 [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?as_of=2009-05-01"]Fri, May 01, 2009[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?elevation=3611.51"]3611.51[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?content=12882895"]12882895[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?inflow=22827.00"]22827.00[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?outflow=10333.00"]10333.00[/url] 84.0 55.0 [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?as_of=2009-04-01"]Wed, Apr 01, 2009[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?elevation=3610.34"]3610.34[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?content=12764554"]12764554[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?inflow=7767.00"]7767.00[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?outflow=10597.00"]10597.00[/url] 55.9 39.0 [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?as_of=2009-03-01"]Sun, Mar 01, 2009[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?elevation=3612.01"]3612.01[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?content=12933687"]12933687[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?inflow=7308.00"]7308.00[/url] [url "http://lakepowell.water-data.com/index2.php?outflow=9783.00"]9783.00[/url] 57.9 33.1

Looks like May & June are the big months, but I guess it can all depend on what mother nature decides she wants to do at the time.

I'm at the point where I'm ready to go right now.

Attached are a couple of pics from the first weekend in May from last year. The first picture is just out of Hite, the 2nd is from Good Hope at the top, and the 3rd is the floating restroom right at the bottom of the bay.

It was pretty much mud all the way down to the horn, and Good Hope was pretty cloudy, though it was possible to find clearer spots in some canyons.
[signature]

[pezvela]

Interesting info and pic's. The data you pulled from wayneswords probably confirmed what you already knew or suspected.
Wayne's predictions of this years fishing is extremely exciting. Here's the link, if I can post it. If not go to wayneswords.com and then to the fishing bulletin board. It a post from him from this afternoon. http://www.wayneswords.com/cgi-bin/wwlpf...read=30832
Doesn't look like it will hyperlink so it will have to be cut and pasted.
What it says for you who don't want to be bothered chasing around is that this year should be one of the very best fishing years since the dam was put in for all game species. There's a lot more but that's the crux of it.

I'm with you, I'd like to be down there now, but it looks like it's going to be a wee bit chilly for the short term. Tight lines
[signature]

[bassrods]

I may be down to Bullfrog this weekend so I may take a look at Hite and see... The parks said that if people lunch at Hite with out being checked they can be fined up to $2,400 ...

When we was at Wahweap this last time they gave a ticket to one person that lunched before he was checked...
[signature]

[Catatafish]

I definitely don't want a fine like that for launching out of Hite.

I took a look at NPS site for Glen Canyon this morning, and here is what I found:

"At Hite, Halls Crossing, Lone Rock, and other remote launch locations boaters are still allowed to self-certify their vessels are mussel-free. Save time when you get to the park by self certifying that your boats are free of zebra or quagga mussels before you arrive.You may do this process online only if you plan to launch from Hite or a remote location. [url "http://www.nps.gov/glca/parknews/upload/20091110selfcertpacket.pdf"]Click here to download a self certification packet.[/url]"

The page I checked out can be found here:

http://www.nps.gov/glca/parknews/zebramussel1.htm

Nice pictures, by the way. I'm dying to get down there!
[signature]

[Catatafish]

I also posed the question to Wayne @ Wayneswords and he was kind enough to provide some great information. His response is as follows:

[#333333]"Thanks for asking. Hite is still in the self certification mode for many reasons including: relatively small amount of use compared to Wahweap and Bullfrog, difficulty to staff small station year round, mostly used by anglers who are generally more aware of invasive species concerns than the general boating public, etc.
[/#333333]
[#333333]
[/#333333]
[#333333]That means when entering the Hite area it is up to you to find the self certification station. It has been conveniently located right in the middle of the cement ramp so that it will be seen by anyone attempting to launch on the concrete ramp.
[/#333333]
[#333333]
[/#333333]
[#333333]Thats excellent strategy and would work every time except when that ramp is not open. At the current water level this ramp is too shallow to launch. Boats then turn left and head to the old dirt road where launching is possible.
[/#333333]
[#333333]
[/#333333]
[#333333]Step One. - Look for the ramp concrete ramp and the sign. [/#333333]
[#333333]In a clear plastic box between the two large signs, there will be self certification forms. Take one of the forms, read the instructions, and when those conditions are satisfied, sign and date the form. Place the signed form on the dash of the tow vehicle. Make sure it is in plain sight.
[/#333333]
[#333333]
[/#333333]
[#333333]The requirements prior to launching are that the boat has been dry (out of water for at least 30 days). [/#333333]
[#333333]If the boat was used within 30 days then it must have been washed and dried with all standing water dried or treated. Then it must have been dried for 18 days in this cold weather. (Freezing temperature hastens the mussel killing process so drying for two days in temperatures below 25 F. qualifies).
[/#333333]
[#333333]
[/#333333]
[#333333]If the boat was used in infested water within 18 days of launching then it must be washed with scalding water before launching.
[/#333333]
[#333333]
[/#333333]
[#333333]An appointment can be made to have it washed by NPS or UT with a weeks notice. Better yet get it washed by UDWR where you live and then bring a signed washing certificate with you. [/#333333]
[#333333]Make the appointment for washing by email to: [/#333333]
[#333333][url "mailto:Larrydalton@utah.gov"]Larrydalton@utah.gov[/url] " [/#333333]
[signature]

[bassrods]

Thats good INFO ...
[signature]

[mulehound]

I have been to Hite twice in the last two weeks. Ice was gone two weeks ago. All the storms we have had in the recent weeks and resulting melt is resulting in a lot of muddy run off creating a definite mud line..
Todd Shelton is the ranger stationed there, he says that they are going to enforce having your boat stickered along with your pass this year. They will also be more active in mussel inspections.
Mulehound.
[signature]

[Catatafish]

Great info, thank you. Did you do any fishing?
[signature]

[pezvela]

With no NPS presence at the entrance to Hite, I can't see how they are going to enforce have a lake powell sticker on your boat.

If the NPS wants to enforce the regulations they should have the station manned to sell the entry passes and the stickers for the boat. If Hite is your primary destination it will be a giant pain to go all the way to Bullfrog to get what is required.

Earlier this month we were at Wahweap and the entrance stations were not manned and we could not get the self service entrance machine to accept credit cards AND the NPS offices were not open when we went there to get the necessay items,

The NPS at Powell is very unorganized during the off season. It doesn't suprise me that they are going to enforce the regulations without providing boaters/fisherman the wherewithall to do it legally. Typical government!

I think I'll try to get what I need on the internet and avoid the long trip to Bullfrog. Thanks for the heads up.
[signature]

[bassrods]

I just got off the phone with the Powell parks and was told that if you launch with out the paper for mussel filled out or lunch earlier then the check station, when the check station is operating the ticket will cost you $2,400 ....

And they just got the stickers made and most of this past winter they was not charging unless you was camping...
[signature]

[mulehound]

Work took me down by Hite today so I stopped in and asked Todd what the procedure was going to be at Hite this spring.

He said that starting sometime in March you will have to have your permit for your truck and boat. They will be routing traffic through a checkpoint where boats will also be inspected for mussells. Sounds like there will be a fee for camping also. They are putting in RV campsites in the housing area that include hookups, they will be done by the first of April. The store will also be open longer during the day than in the past.

The Walleye are hitting down around by the Horn pre spawn action is pretty good, along with a few stripers.
Mulehound.
[signature]