Anyone hit the Flint lately?

[outdoor junkie]

Just wonderin if anyone has tried it for walleyes yet? Stopped by yesterday on my way home from work, seen no-one fishing off Mt. Morris road it looked pretty high and fast. Would like to give it a whirl, but don't know when it get's good.

[robin]

I put on the waders and walked up the river yesterday (Saturday). The river is actually at the same depth it was last May. I went did some casting for about an hour with no action. I didn't expect to catch anything, but the weather was too nice not to give it a try. I had flocks of mergansers, mallards, and buffleheads buzzing me. The bald eagle flew around the bend and turned around when he saw me.
As far as timing goes, just remember that very few fish are caught during the Flushing tournament and that is a month from now. I've seen hundreds of dead shad floating past my place, so there's no doubt that the food is there. We need some warm weather and rain to get things moving.

[huntinfooljf]

I saw that you were out last week Robin was wondering if you've had a chance to get out this week. Was thinking of heading up to Saginaw Sunday morning but if the eyes are in the flint river I'd rather make half the drive and not have to buy bait. Thanks for the info.

[robin]

It's a pretty nice day. I'll throw on the waders and give it a try. The water is clear and low. I'll post the results this afternoon.

[outdoor junkie]

Guess I'm gonna head down in the morning and give it a whirl. Will probably hit some private land first then maybe hit Mt. Morris road in Flushing. Will post when I get home and tell ya'll how it was.

[huntinfooljf]

I am going to go up in the morning as well. Hicks said that they've had reports of guys getting fish. I think we're going to try up by Montrose. Good Luck.

[robin]

The water level raised yesterday which made wading a bit tougher than usual. I spent about an hour casting with no results. I'll never believe what a bait shop says about guys getting fish, so I'll look forward to your results. We're getting up to an inch of rain over the next 36 hours, so that should make the river unfishable for a while. I haven't noticed any mention of the tournament this year in the paper. I'm going to check the Flushing web site to see if it's mentioned.

I just checked the site; it's March 11-13 for anyone interested. That gives the fish a while to move up.

[outdoor junkie]

Hit some private right off Seymour for about an hour. Then went down to Mt. Morris road for a bit not even a hit. Hopefully with the rain coming it could help a bit to get them in there. You say the 11-13 huh, Thanks I was wondering when it was. Good luck out there robin, keep me posted.

[huntinfooljf]

went out this morning and while I didn't get any I saw 8 fish caght by 10 am. All fsh were about 2 lbs or so. Good eaters! There were a group of 4 guys that were there that said they fished sat am too and caught 2 shy of there limit. Fish are definately in there. I think that the east wind may have had some effect on today. I'll definately be back when I have the chance. Good luck and keep me posted on your outings.

[chamookman]

Were these 'Eyes taken fairly? I find it hard to trust these wading "limits" this time of Year. Not trying to stir things up, just have Seen WAY too much snagging on the Flint. Bob.

[huntinfooljf]

I admit 2 of the fish were snagged, however not the one that we took and most for that matter were caught leagally. I have seen my share of snagging as well. Don't have much use for the guys that go out and throw 1/2-3/4 ounce heads with a number 6 treble hook tied 4 inches behind the tail, then watch them set the hook 5 times every cast. Hope I'm not stepping on toes but I would rather hook them leagal myself. Much more sporting!

[robin]

The only toes you would be stepping on are the idiots that are poaching. I don't fish Montrose, because I don't want to see it. I'm always carrying a cell phone and I have no problem making the call to the DNR. On the possibility that any COs might check this site, I'll say the same thing I do every year-
The hole that's about 200 yards north of the Vienna Rd bridge in Montrose is a snagging hole. I honestly have never been there prior to the close of the season in March and NOT seen guys snagging. On one particular day I saw about 100 guys fishing with only 2 doing it legally. Every time the stringer is full of 10 plus lb fish, someone runs them up the hill and it's back to snagging.
I did have a CO stop to watch me last year on my property while I was sucker fishing with my son. I was glad to see it. Hand out more tickets and maybe they can put a little fear into some of these snaggers.

On a positive note, I'm glad to know that there are some fish in the river. That gives me an excuse to fish a little harder and actually take off the crank bait that's been on my line for the last 7 months. As soon as the river drops, the mud washes away, and the thousands of pieces of white plastic and styroam stop floating by (I always wonder where all that crap comes from), I'll be on it.

[deputy865]

Are you serious there are fish in the river's right now? we have a river riht behind us Shiawassee River! Might give it a try. Whats bitin' on what??

Shane

[huntinfooljf]

There are fish in the river right now. I'm sure they are in shiawassee although I have no experience fishing that river. 1/4 ounce jigs and 3-4 inch twister tails are what we use on the flint river. Good Luck!

[Lance73]

ehh, shiawasse is a tough one to get walleye's out of. the only time i see guys catching eyes is when i fish at the park in chesaning. i really don't know though, the only thing i go for out of the shiawasse is the smallies.

[deputy865]

Do you think there are "everywere" like all over the place in the Shiawasse (like slow spots in the river)
I'll go out there today using the jig was told and post a report.

[Lance73]

what part of the shiawasse are you located near?

[deputy865]

I cant really say. Why have you been catchin' there or what. I fish behind george town appartments. Its just back in the woods were we play paintball. Iknow of one good spot though behind th Tim Hortans. Plan to try that soo.. I wil getout to the river tomarow to try. Dout i'll catch anything. Never fished for walleye before so thats whats driving me.

What bait should i use pictures? maybe from a website that sells them?

Shane

[Lance73]

ahh, you are fishing in the owosso area. i will pm you and give you a few spots to try.

[walleye express]

As soon as the river drops, the mud washes away, and the thousands of pieces of white plastic and styroam stop floating by (I always wonder where all that crap comes from), I'll be on it.[/QUOTE]


Robin.

Small rivers and ditches that run through farm land and along highways are catch basins for the stuff people throw out from their vehicles all winter. Light stuff like strofoam and paper cups, can blow along with the wind for miles over the barrin/open farm fileds until it lands in these wind-break watersheds. They stay and gather there all winter, until the system melts and then they float down river with the current. Spring run-off is Mother Natures way of flushing the toilet. Then man fills it back up again over the next winter. Man is the perfect parasite isn't he?. :rant:

[FISHING101]

Hit the river yesterday 2/27 in the Flushing area. Tried stick baits, jigs, crank baits, etc. Will give it a try again tonight, hoping for better luck. On a brighter note I did get a good look at the Eagle cruising the river near Flushing Park.

[franky]

So? Has anyone actually caught, not seen someone catch one but catch a walleye themselve this spring, if so was it worth keeping? Out by the flats, I have been seeing people fish there 24/7 but nobody has really reported if the fish are in the river or not. :confused:

Good luck at the Tournament! Catch some of them Flint river walleye.:one_eye:

-Franky

[huntinfooljf]

I fished near the golf course in flushing for a couple of hours yesterday. Had to do a job right there so I thought I'd throw in a pole, head down to the river and see what happened. It was right as it started snowing, so around 12:30 in the afternoon. Granted not really the optimum fishing hour, but I did not do any good on the walleye. I did however catch 6 carp and a 24 inch pike. Carp were actually hitting my 1/4 ounce jig and twister tail. First one was well over 15 pounds. Not exactly filling my plate but still had a lot of fun. I was the only one there. I will probably be out this weekend again if not before. Will post my results. Good luck!