If you already have some of these type places on your radar, you’re good to go.  If not, drag out the lake maps and start looking for structure that meets the previously described criteria.  If you’re handy on the computer, go to www.fishidy.com and sign up for a free account.  It offers a combination of a google earth type program, with Hot Map overlays featuring contour lines and other useful data.  You can even keep your own private map, make notes, and mark spots for future reference.  Another site that offers educational information on structure fishing is: www.structurefishing.com .  It offers, for sale, the very hard to find book by legendary Buck Perry, titled Spoonplugging.  Although it does not discuss fly-fishing, it is considered the bible of structure fishing.  Which, is the subject at the very heart of fishing in general, this book is a “must read” and should be the first thing you reach for in helping you up your catch rate, both on the lake and in the river.  

Report for the mid lake area (point 24):

Water surface temperatures are in the mid 70’s with a thermocline starting to develop at the 25 to 35 foot depth and fish are starting to relate to it.  As its development becomes more defined, expect fish to relate to it even more.  Walleyes are biting very well on shad imitations presented at the 25 to 35 foot level over 40 to 60 feet of water along main lake structure.  Crappies can be found on brush piles in 25 to 40 feet of water in deeper creek arms.  They are also relating to main lake structure and structure with timber just above the thermocline, over water depths of 40 to 80 feet.   Spotted, largemouth and smallmouth bass seem to be scattered throughout the main lake, relating to the bottom near the shoulders of main lake cuts and softer points.  Shad and crayfish patterns would be the baits of choice.

Remember:  this is fly-fishing in a deep, clear reservoir, arguable the toughest game in town.  We don’t have the luxury of big, water moving buzz baits that fish can home in on with lateral line sensory.  Ours is a visual game, requiring working slow and deep with full sinking or long sink tips.  Boat control is paramount to success, drift socks are highly recommended to slow your boat to afford vertical presentations.   You should make at least two drifts over promising structure.  Start with the shallower drift over 24 feet of water, presenting to the shoreline searching for active, positive fish.  Followed by a second drift over 40 feet of water, again, presenting to the shoreline searching for less active, neutral fish.  Hammer away at main lake structure like primary points, shoulders of cuts etc, and don’t discount an area just because it did not produce a time or two.  Hit it again, especially at dusk a couple times before scratching it off your list.

Structure, structure, structure is the name of this game, keep that in mind and you’ll find success and soon be on your way to a summer of walleye dinners!

Very nice 20 inch plus walleyes are hitting well, keep the boat over 35 feet of water and presenting to the shoreline will do the trick.  Primary points and the backside of primary points seem to be holding the most fish.  Spotted bass are a little shallower, soft secondary points with some exposed brush will hold fish.  Fishing over 18 to 25 feet and casting towards the brush will produce nice catches of 12 to 16 inch fish.  Slab crappies are coming to net with the same presentation in the same locations.  Be prepared to do battle with a giant carp at anytime this time of year, as they are back in the creek arms as well and eagerly take minnow imitations.  

White bass are on the primary and secondary points in 8 to 15 foot depths, keeping the fly moving fast is the key to triggering strikes with them.  Largemouths are starting to move to the 8 to 12 foot range along soft secondary points and banks.  You can upsize your presentation to 1/0 size clousers and make sure they have some green in them.  Smallmouth bass are still a little deeper and being caught while chasing walleyes.  Until the water warms up just a bit more, no special tricks are required to catch them, but they should move shallower soon! 

If you’re after something bigger and have never tried gar on the fly, that is just around the corner.  Right now, gar are spawning along the main lake bluffs.  When they finish in another week, they will move to the brush in the creek arms to rest up.  Make up a few rope flies by taking a piece of 6 to 8 inch ¼” to 3/8” nylon rope, secure it to a 1/0 saltwater hook, comb out the rope end and tease it back into a ball.  Grab your nine weight and a floating line and sight fish to fish in the shallow water brush.  Casting a few feet past the fish and pausing  the fly just in front of their nose will sometimes trigger explosive strikes.  Remembering NOT to set the hook takes a little practice.  Let the fish run and get the rope caught in their teeth, then apply pressure. Pack some bandages, you’ll need ‘em!  Whatever you decide to fish for, now is the time to get out on your favorite lake and take advantage of this special time of year.

Kentucky bass have moved in to the 8 to 12 foot range and getting ready to spawn.  Again, secondary points and banks are key places to find them.  Crappies have moved shallow and can be found near flooded brush near secondary points. 

Smallmouth’s are coming to hand along main lake bluffs and creek arms and are taking baits in the 10 to 15 foot range.

If you’re up to some fun with some rough fish, carp are moving way back in the creek arms and fishing them blind with smaller minnow imitations will surely put a bend in your rod. Some of these fish are massive and the fight can be long and hard on medium weight tackle. Large schools or suckers have made their way into the creeks in 2 to 5 feet.  They can be a lot of fun on fly gear while walking the banks using worm imitations.  You’ll need a stealthy approach as they may be rough fish, but they are not stupid.

The White River has been running hard with some stop and go flows, making it more difficult for wading anglers to get access.  The caddis hatch has been sporadic with reports of massive hatches one day and fewer bugs the next.  The usual sub surface caddis patterns are performing well and buggers in brown, olive and black are knocking them dead, as always.