Red Rock Flooding

Subject: Red Rock Flooding Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:20 am

Well, we went up to Red Rock on Sunday to camp until Thursday, and here we are back home already. We have had nothing but storms and rain while up there. Yesterday (Tuesday) was a decent weather day, bet we came home in the afternoon. The main lake was virtually unfishable. There are only 2 ramps open, and there are so many logs and crap floating in the lake you would be nuts to run across it on plane. In fact, we only saw 1 boat trailer in the lots that were out on the lake Monday. We were relegated to fishing below the dam where there was at least some sort of bite going.

The main reason we left was because we were getting kicked out of the campground at Howell Station (below the dam). It was going to be flooded with 3 feet of water on Thursday morning. They shut off the electricity to the campground at noon on Tuesday and were starting to pull all the electrical posts and the LP tanks. They had crews picking up trash cans and picnic tables. There are two houses down there and they had semi's backed up and were loading them up with everything in their homes. It was really kind of sad to see. We hung around long enough to watch them open 2 of the big Taintor gates on the dam, and the water came up about 4 feet, about 3 feet short of starting to flood the campgrounds. They were going to open up even more tomorrow. The Ranger told us the outflow would go to 72,000 cfs at that point. He said they may be forced to go to 100,000 by the weekend. Just as an FYI I believe the outflow peaked at 120,000 or so in '93'.

Watch out down river! It is not looking good!

On a happier note, we did catch a bunch of white bass and catfish when we could get out between downpours. No pictures though. Didn't take the camera with us because of the rain.

Subject: Re: Red Rock Flooding Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:47 am

Thanks for the info Brian. That's just nuts too.

I have decided to stop complaining about the fishing conditions and such cause fishing at this point should be the least of my concerns. Lots of people are loosing everything they once had. Quite a spring so far to say the least.

The city of West Point is the highest elevation in the county (can't remember for sure but could be the entire state) and has really no creeks anywhere close to it to speak of so it is pretty much high and dry around me.
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Randy Ellison

www.fishn4fun.net
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Subject: Re: Red Rock Flooding Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:33 pm

Sucks your trip had to be like that, at least you did catch something.

This whole state is messed up right now, well except for West Point. Rolling Eyes

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Subject: Re: Red Rock Flooding Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:42 pm

Subject: Re: Red Rock Flooding Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:15 pm

Yeah I may do some sandbagging again too!

I also may try to fish Lake P this weekend if I can still get there by then. Sounds like about the only way out of town is going to be North. Sad

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Subject: Re: Red Rock Flooding Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:29 pm

Actually, when we got home yesterday afternoon, we went down to Sugema to try and salvage something out of our vacation and did pretty well. I would say the water was about 2-3 feet high, but very fishable. Stained, but not muddy. We managed probably 20 bass or so in the 3 hours we were there, and they were all pretty decent. The wife left the camera in the truck, so I didn't get any pictures except with the phone, and I have no idea (or equipment) to transfer those pics to the computer. 3 of the fish were over the 18" length limit and they weighed between 3 and 4 pounds. Everything else was between 14-16"s.

Baits of choice were crankbaits, 10" worms, and the largest of the night absolutely CRUSHED a Zara Spook! One of the best topwater hits I have had in quite some time.

They are still out there guys. Go Get Em'!!

Subject: Re: Red Rock Flooding Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:05 pm

Thanks for that report Brian, I have a long weekend coming up but not sure if I'll be able to make that a trek that far. But I will keep it mind. Idea

Glad to see some fish aren't Wacko! :geek:
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Subject: Re: Red Rock Flooding Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:19 pm

Looks like we might be lake Iowa by next monday
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There is only one way to catch fish you have to be on the ice