steelie
09-02-2008, 07:08 PM
Good Day,
Seeing as the fish are starting to show up at 6th St., I thought I would post a map of the area from the dam to 96 for safety's sake. Even those of us who have waded it for years sometimes forget a few things. And also, each year their are always newbies who fall in as they are not familiar with the terrritory. Fall fishing is certainly safer than Spring with it's lower water levels, but the river still needs to be respected. It can kill you if you are not carefull. Oh yeah, I don't remember who originally created the map, but I did not.
http://img5.glowfoto.com/images/2007/08/23-0904279297T.jpg (http://www.glowfoto.com/user_imageredirect.php?iid=1671535)
A few points of safety to keep in mind. First, always wear a wading belt. It will assist you to keep your legs afloat if you have to ride the current. Don't flail away, just try to easily get yourself to shore. Don't fight the current.
Now a few spots to be aware of, and please, if you feel I have missed any, feel free to add them in your posts.
The map is positioned with East being the top and West the bottom. The darker blue indicates deeper water.
The darker blues along the East Wall to those paralleling 96 are beyond dangerous. Fall in these areas and you could get sucked into the "Quarry Hole" and certainly risk death. So avoid them. You can fish adjacent to them and thow into them, with extreme caution.
East Side - Upper left hand corner of the map. You will notice a tongue of shallower water surrounded by deeper water. From the top of the map, the first portion of dark water is short but fierce. If you are not wearing cleats you could lose your footing on the slippery flat bottom. Plain rubber bottom boots can be problematic here. Particularly earlier in the season with the growth of algea on the bottom. This is water coming from the corner area created by the rocks that create the "first" run. If you are a newbie, take your time and watch how guys cross this area and do what they do! Then, once you cross the tongue of shallow water you will encounter a sharp drop off. Some guys call it the "step" because that is exactly what it is. A straight drop off. Depending on water conditions, you may go from water just bellow the knee to nearly hip level in one step. Newbies, again, watch the old timers! Even if it takes 45 minutes, it is worth it not only for safety, but pride. Do you really want to get wet? And newbies, until you get a handle on the river, I would suggest a wading staff until you understand the nuances of the lady Grand. Once you raise up out of the step channel things are pretty flat over to the Ice Breaker, but keep in mind, there are still divots here and there that if not careful could trip you up.
This does not happen often, and I do discourage it, some years the water in Autumn is so low that some guys can actually stand on the skirt of the dam. Unless you are really a big guy, I would not suggest this. If you fall in there is a chance of getting stuck in the "boils".
I traditionally have been an "East Sider". But I have fished a few times on the West side too. What is different is that the West side tends to have a bottom that has more cobble (large rocks and pieces of broken concrete) than the East side. So just watch your step and make sure you are getting a sound footing. Also, again, not too close to the dam in the West side as if you fall in too close to the dam there is the threat of being pulled under by the current. So if a newbie, don't push it and stand within the same line as the "regulars".
Well, there you go guys. Fish hard and enjoy yourselves!
Steelie
Seeing as the fish are starting to show up at 6th St., I thought I would post a map of the area from the dam to 96 for safety's sake. Even those of us who have waded it for years sometimes forget a few things. And also, each year their are always newbies who fall in as they are not familiar with the terrritory. Fall fishing is certainly safer than Spring with it's lower water levels, but the river still needs to be respected. It can kill you if you are not carefull. Oh yeah, I don't remember who originally created the map, but I did not.
http://img5.glowfoto.com/images/2007/08/23-0904279297T.jpg (http://www.glowfoto.com/user_imageredirect.php?iid=1671535)
A few points of safety to keep in mind. First, always wear a wading belt. It will assist you to keep your legs afloat if you have to ride the current. Don't flail away, just try to easily get yourself to shore. Don't fight the current.
Now a few spots to be aware of, and please, if you feel I have missed any, feel free to add them in your posts.
The map is positioned with East being the top and West the bottom. The darker blue indicates deeper water.
The darker blues along the East Wall to those paralleling 96 are beyond dangerous. Fall in these areas and you could get sucked into the "Quarry Hole" and certainly risk death. So avoid them. You can fish adjacent to them and thow into them, with extreme caution.
East Side - Upper left hand corner of the map. You will notice a tongue of shallower water surrounded by deeper water. From the top of the map, the first portion of dark water is short but fierce. If you are not wearing cleats you could lose your footing on the slippery flat bottom. Plain rubber bottom boots can be problematic here. Particularly earlier in the season with the growth of algea on the bottom. This is water coming from the corner area created by the rocks that create the "first" run. If you are a newbie, take your time and watch how guys cross this area and do what they do! Then, once you cross the tongue of shallow water you will encounter a sharp drop off. Some guys call it the "step" because that is exactly what it is. A straight drop off. Depending on water conditions, you may go from water just bellow the knee to nearly hip level in one step. Newbies, again, watch the old timers! Even if it takes 45 minutes, it is worth it not only for safety, but pride. Do you really want to get wet? And newbies, until you get a handle on the river, I would suggest a wading staff until you understand the nuances of the lady Grand. Once you raise up out of the step channel things are pretty flat over to the Ice Breaker, but keep in mind, there are still divots here and there that if not careful could trip you up.
This does not happen often, and I do discourage it, some years the water in Autumn is so low that some guys can actually stand on the skirt of the dam. Unless you are really a big guy, I would not suggest this. If you fall in there is a chance of getting stuck in the "boils".
I traditionally have been an "East Sider". But I have fished a few times on the West side too. What is different is that the West side tends to have a bottom that has more cobble (large rocks and pieces of broken concrete) than the East side. So just watch your step and make sure you are getting a sound footing. Also, again, not too close to the dam in the West side as if you fall in too close to the dam there is the threat of being pulled under by the current. So if a newbie, don't push it and stand within the same line as the "regulars".
Well, there you go guys. Fish hard and enjoy yourselves!
Steelie