Power Smallmouth
Filed under: Adventures — admin @ 10:11 am
We occasionally get some decent weather in the fall/winter season in the Midwest. Some diehards can’t wait for spring fly fishing opportunities and find interesting ways to get at winter fish.
Power plant effluent is warm water discharged by these facilities as they utilize the river water to cool machinery within the plant.
The plume of water downstream can be near 60 degrees all winter long and extend several miles down stream, even in Minnesota and other northern tier states.
These plumes hold all kinds of fish that prefer warmer water, if they can get it. Smallmouth, walleyes and other species are attracted to the warm water, as are prey species. Many anglers bait fish during the winter with sucker minnows and the like. Other anglers throw crankbaits and flies.
Angler success will vary from day to day depending on the weather and other ambient conditions. It’s not clear what factors affect the bite in winter as I’ve had reports of good and bad fishing on both nice and ugly weather days. The key factor for the angler is air temperature. If it’s above freezing, it’s always worth a shot. Below freezing will make fishing, especially fly fishing difficult as water will freeze on the guides.
Sink tip and floating fly line will both work, bring both along on your trip. The fall high river water from October rains has created interesting situations. Gone is the low water of late summer - this is similar to spring fishing with many fish tight to the bank.
The Fire Tiger Clouser is working for Dave Kollman (St. Cloud Fly Anglers - St. Cloud, MN) as well as traditional patterns such as Wholly Buggers in dark colors.