Disaster Perspective

Disaster Perspective

Just got back from a fishin’ marathon in far N. Wisconsin, fishing 10 lakes over 4 days. Every lake full to capacity–and then some. Roads closed, access roads flooded or washed out…multiply this number by 10K–then hold that thought.

The Miss is just beginning to drop, passing through ‘minor’ flood stage down to ‘action’ stage where dam gates go back in the water. NOAA projections call for this to happen by June 12. For the first time this year they added the qualifier that levels may exceed projections with in this week long window.

If we don’t get major rainfall upstream, the level will continue to fall, with better fishing every day. Revisit that thought about 10K belly full lakes.

‘Minor’ flood is like the old adage about being ” a little bit pregnant’. Flood stage = disaster. Disaster is disaster.

If there isn’t gullywasher rain upstream our condition should be at the sip from table before lifting coffee cup stage. One serious rain and we’ll be back at the “crap! grab some paper towels stage.

Between now and then we’ll be catching fish casting cranks like the Bill Lewis MR-6 on the slow side of current seams for walleyes, SMB, WB and other species…or going walleye specific casting/dragging Lindy rigged walleyes with an 18” leader below a 1/4 oz egg sinker back in running sloughs where sand bar breaks at 10 fow drop into deeper water where there isn’t excessive turbulence.

Return to that 10K belly-full lakes thought for a second. I don’t think we’re gonna see a wingdam bite all year. Walleye action will be back in the running sloughs on search baits like the Rat-l-Rap and chatterbait and spot-specific holes and edges with willocats all summer long.

Willocats are like crows-n-owls with walleyes. Marble-eyes ATTACK ’em. Downside is, this superbait goes for about $20/dozen. Sharp spines are toxic. Getting horned is WAY beyond painful.

I like throwing the ‘Trap…only hurts when the hook finds you instead of fish. with over 115 species in the River, walleyes won’t be the only thing caught. Most that hit lures are looking for one thing:food. That’s why they’re cruising away from the main channel this year to begin with!

Long term, the River situation is grim. Many island trees died since last year’s prolonged high water. This year’s perpetual flood will have even bigger consequences. Dead trees make islands more prone to sending sediment downstream. Siltation–the quiet crisis that leads to flooding–will be exacerbated

Flooding will be the new normal in years to come on the ever-changing, Immortal River. Stay safe out there!.


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