bruce02
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
The 643 cfs USGS email at 11:09 pm is an example of the possible risk of using Sattler gauge as only real time warning of significant flow increase while wade fishing. Particularly at upper LAP sites.
The Sattler gauge records flow every 15 min., but only transmits data once per hour. USGS updates info only after this hourly transmission is complete. USGS updates for Sattler typically occur approx. 10 min. after the top of the hour.
From 390 cfs, GBRA increased the flow fairly rapidly, beginning at 10:00 pm or few minutes after. The Sattler gauge (several hundred yards downstream) first picked up the increase on its 10:15 reading. 643 cfs was that gauge’s 11:00 pm reading.
When USGS Sattler info was updated at approx. 11:09, the flow increase had been underway for more than an hour at the dam.
That is enough time for a flow increase large enough to potentially impact wading safety, to have already reached upper LAP sites. I.e., before any indication could have been observed on the Sattler gauge. Whether that indication is by email, or manually checking USGS or GRTU websites.
Likely be 3 weeks before you get the <400 email.
Dam release is currently still same as it was before rain, 380-390 cf/s. Any clouding of water yesterday is short term, as most of rain was upstream of lake.
Based on lake inflow, and lake level trend, it’s a good bet that GBRA will increase discharge rate significantly post yesterday’s rain. Uncertainty is when. Could be tomorrow (friday) or could just as well be next week.
And, when they do increase discharge, it will be another 2 weeks before it could be back to what it is now (assuming no more rain).
Should also note that if eat stripers, and prefer to consider the TDSHS consumption advisory re Mercury mentioned in a post above, you should review that advisory. The max. recommended consumption per month ranges from quite limited to none (depending population group). Advisory can be found on TPWD and TDSHS websites (re Canyon Lake).
TDSHS has observed generally that Mercury concentration increases with fish age. However, striper age/size is not a part of the formal Canyon Lake advisory.
The stripers analyzed in the Canyon Lake study (whose Mercury levels resulted in the consumption advisory), were all relatively small/young: 21 to 24”, 3 to 6 lbs.
Ozark Striper stomach content study by Arkansas F&G concluded clearly that stripers much prefer to eat soft finned fish. Trout and shad were highlighted there.
They found stripers do not like to eat spiny fin fish, like bass and perch, except as as last resort.
I.e., trout are a preference prey of Guad stripers. Perhaps the absolute favorite.
Bass and perch, in addition to stripers of even small size, are also a threat to small trout, especially fry hatched in WV boxes. But the stripers in the Guad have no problem with TPWD trout stockers, or even the largest GRTU trout stockers.
Most agree that stripers from their native east coast saltwater environment taste the best. But there are plenty that feel freshwater stripers are tasty too. Internet is full of recipes. Kill all you legally can. Eat them.
Dam release was less than 100 cfs essentially entire last trout season. Average 1 Nov 17 to 31 Mar 18 was 80. Excceded 100 only 3 days, max was 110.
Strange. Was there approx. 1 week ago, and after I showed her LAP badge I office, she said it was free for me.
David, respect reason for what you wished for. Get lake down to “target” quick, so as to provide comfortable wading flow asap.
However, no matter how fast GBRA ran/run lake down to “target” after last rain (whatever “target” is, does not matter for this), even if they did it so fast it was already finished days ago, discharge would still be around same 380 now. This is because GBRA does not discharge significantly less than lake inflow for long, when lake is at or above “target”. And, river inflow declines slowly. I.e., with no additional rain, won’t see 300 inflow til close to year end. 200, close to mid January.
Alex,
Scary story. But, even at 750, your rod with reel will sink fast and currently be on the bottom a very short distance downstream of where you let loose of it. Therefore, the more detail you can give re the precise location you let loose of it the better chance Jimbo et al will find it. With quality location info, the odds are good.
I, in my much younger days, wading in water way too fast and deep for anyone with any brains, fell into water instantly over my head in the Yellowstone River about 100 yards upstream of Lee Hardy rapids. This is a major league rapids, very likely not survivable. Ditched the rod and reel like you did (smart), dog paddled somehow to bank, barely making it out upstream of those rapids. Changed my wading philosophy forever. Since that incident, it was not about whether I could avoid a fall, it was about what the consequences of a fall, for whatever reason, could be.
It was a cheap crappy noddle-like Cortland $90 rod, reel, line, outfit. That fall was the stupidest wading thing I ever did, but ended up the best thing equipment wise. Replaced with a Sage RPL rod and never looked back. You are already fishing Sage, so need to recover it!
PS, imagine if you had asked for Rockies best destination in July or August. ?
Agree April freestone streams uncertain in Rockies. You are basically hoping to catch stream between ice-out and big snow melt runoff. Freestones in April can be great fishing, at right time and place.
Add the Beaverhead (tailwater), best floated, and nearby Big Hole (freestone) to list of SW Montana possibilities posted above.
As others have said, tailwaters statistically more reliable in April.
My old home river was the lower Green tailwater below Flaming Gorge reservoir, which we fished essentially year round. If pass near, on way to for example Montana, definitely worth checking it out. Wadable. Floating it would be best experience, as will catch more fish and the canyon scenery is dramatic. (Dam to Little hole float option is best).
Would be interesting to know. 3 stations (#’s 1,2,4) look they could be working and uploading current data. Doesn’t look like the others are.
31 Dec 2018 is last day for free LAP access, per Jimbo’s post announcing the Camp Whitewater site.
Then, from 1 Jan 2019, LAP members should receive a discounted price. Camp Whitewater’s regular public day use access price is $7 per person. Don’t know what LAP discounted price will be.
For reference, the adjacent Whitewater Sports property charges $10 day use parking and access fee, per vehicle.
Jimbo,
Apologies for getting rainbow number wrong. You had posted these numbers a few times, but couldn’t find when I wanted them. Thanks for correcting.
I realize we are fortunate to get the Browns we get, considering the significantly higher relative cost/ lb (and the increasing costs for both trout types, as well as lease costs).
Bruce
As Jimbo said, (vs. any of the other trouts) Browns survive a bit higher temp. They can spawn and eggs hatch at higher temp. also. Browns are also known to be geerally more difficult to catch.
More difficult to catch, combined with holdover increased….could actually be cost effective. Or at least cost neutral (1/3 less stocking needed in future would make them cost neutral). Even if they do not successfully reproduce and recruit to adults.
Can’t remember Jimbo’s stocking plan for remaining stockings this season. Thought it was 4 stockings, 1 Browns/ 3 rainbow. As an example, assume 2k lbs per stocking, the cost difference Browns vs. Rainbows is $5600 per stocking. This works out to only $7.50 per stocking per LAP member.
Assuming 4 2k lb stockings, $7.50 per member to bring Browns to 50%, $22 to bring to 100%. I would happily support $22 increase per member to go to 100% Browns. Only a 13% increase in LAP fee.
The primary reason I support highest possible increase in percentage Browns stocked, with 100% being optimum, is the time it will take to determine whether Browns are more effective than rainbows. Stocking 25% or even 50% Browns I doubt will ever produce difinitive results.
