Johnson Creek

[Steve]

Well I was going to try it again this evening to see if I could hook up with Mr Big again since I have my camera and rod both repaired, but it look like I should start building an ark instead.

[Steve]

Well I did go to Johnson's creek after the rain stopped tonight and to my dismay this is what I found.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/logs/johnson_drain_pic/washout91000.jpg

Do we need better sediment control in high development areas? Less parking lots? Maybe....

[kroppe]

Steve, you're probably right, but that's what the Huron looks like after a big downpour, so maybe it's not unique to Johnson Creek. Mill Creek in Dexter looks this way when you even say the word "rain".

[jnpcook]

Steve:

Was the water too deep and fast to wade? I fished Paint Creek after a thunderstorm and the water was up (I remember I had to kind of feel my way along) and I had good luck with an olive wooly bugger. Caught 2 of the larger trout that I have caught in the creek (12-14") and they fought well in the current. You may want to try again if it's not too dangerous to wade.

John

[Erik]

It's like this, when you get there and find the river looks like this you can either pack up and go home, or make the best of it. Not to familiar with this spot, but if theres any dams you might find it a little clearer below the dam. I've found that out on some of the rivers I fish. When the water is blasting, try tail outs below the dams.
Cool pic though, almost felt like I was there.

------------------
Phish

[Steve]

I have not fished creeks when they have been this high and muddy but have fished Paint Creek right after a thunderstorm and done quite well. The water was nowhere near as muddy though. Didn't think a trout would even be able to see a lure through that dark of water and were probably all hanging on for their life behind any cover they could find.

[mtorzews]

Wow I've never seen Johnson creek that high. I'm trying to remember how tall that wall is but if I think its about 5 or 6 foot tall. I hope the trout can hold on and not get washed down to Newburgh Lake. Although clearing out a few of those chubs might be nice. It seems like thats the only thing I can catch in that run.

------------------
Michael T

[Steve]

It would have been suicide to try and wade it. I too wonder how those trout find a place to hold on and keep from being swept downstream to some slower water. For that matter I wonder how they survive at all in that kind of mud flow.

[Steve]

Take a look at http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/logs/johnson_creek.htm if you want to see before and after pictures of that exact same section of creek.