Use Your Eyes Find Potential Hot-Spots Pt 2

By Buck Perry (cont’d.)

Fishing Facts, Oct 1983

Excerpt:

HIDDEN HOT-SPOTS

Earlier it was indicated more would be said about the structure situations at the causeway and the dam. I'd like to discuss these man-made structure situations in a little more detail, due to the fact they are not so cut and dried as some of the other situations we have discussed in the past. It is wise to point out features we are likely to encounter in some Flatland reservoirs. Of special importance are those features which could be called "hidden" hot-spots.

Figure 8 is a top view of a causeway (road) crossing a reservoir. The purpose of the figure is to show a condition that occurs in Flatland and Lowland reservoirs.

It shows were the original channel was diverted during the construction of the roadbed and the bridge. In this case, we should keep in mind there are three major "contact points" to the causeway. Number 1 is at the bridge (both sides). Number 2 is where the old channel comes in contact with the roadbed on the upstream side, and Number 3 is at the old channel on the downstream side.

Quite often, the most productive water in a situation such as this is the rocky riprap just adjacent to the old channel (both sides), AND, the breaks and breaklines along the old channel and the bypass channel. Where the two come together could be the hottest spot of all.

When working a causeway, be sure you check to see if the old channel was cut off by the roadbed. One key as to whether this occurred is to note the position of the bridge. If it was built rather close to one of the shorelines, most likely a bypass channel was dug.

Figure 9 is a top view of a dam in a Flatland reservoir. The purpose of the dam was for flood control. Here again the original channel was cut off during construction of the dam. At times a bypass channel may be noted, while at other times the diversion occurred in such a way, and at such a depth, it cannot be clearly defined.

As structure fishermen, a dam such as this must be checked out thoroughly. Trolling the rip-rap can be highly productive. The lake may be so full of debris, (trees, bushes, etc.), and the wind and water color so bad, the clearer area at the dam may be the only workable area in the lake.

When fishing, or planning to fish a Flatland flood control reservoir, we should look it over, as discussed in this article. If a causeway is shown on the road map, we should head directly to it to see the terrain and lake condition (debris, etc.). Of great importance is to note the water color on both sides.

The next spot to examine is the dam. While driving slowly over the dam you should observe both sides. The major condition to look at on the "lake" side is the water color and the degree and direction of the wind. On the back side of the dam, there are three important observations to be made. (1) The color of the discharge water; (2) How active is the fishing in the "tailrace." (It could be a "run" is in progress, or the conditions of weather and water may be such, the tailrace is the only fishable spot.)

The third thing to note on the back side is the position of the old channel. This could be the most important observation of all. This shows the location of the channel on the "lake side." This will show the location of a hot-spot on the rip-rap (and the breaks and breaklines of the old channel). This is where concentration of effort must be had, both trolling and casting.

The question may arise as to how we can be sure we are at the old channel when we get on the lake? (The condition and depth of the old channel may not be well-defined even with a depth sounder.) When crossing the dam, you should note the location of the old channel (on the back side). Then you look toward the lake side, and see if a big rock or some type marker isn't on one of the posts of the guard rail. 

[Editor's Note: This means Buck has fished the lake recently.]

- from Facebook page, Structure Fishing.