Cabinet Gorge Reservoir Fishing Report 7.28.2017

The flows through Cabinet Gorge Reservoir have been low and slow. This isn't necessarily a bad thing--it just makes maneuvering a boat through stump-covered flats a little more challenging than I’d like it to be. I didn't get an exact on the water temperature, but I would guess it’s running between the high 60s and low 70s. Yesterday the wind, which usually blows out of the west and pushes upriver, came out of the east, which gave me time to do nothing but fish.

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Right now the water clarity is great and there is nothing better, in my opinion, than watching your eight-inch long fly disappear into the trap jaw of a "water wolf."

I was on the water and fishing by 7:30 a.m. and stuck it out until roughly 2:30p.m. The fishing wasn't hot... or even good for that matter. I would classify yesterday as "bearable." I cruised up and down those flats, islands, and sloughs with little to show for it. The only structure I didn't spend much time on was the main river channel. The pike I found were all in the flats, holding in 6-10 feet of water. My total action for the day was 2 landed, 1 lost, 1 missed, and 3 follows to the boat. It's funny: if I landed every fish I moved, I would have considered yesterday a great day. For whatever reason, the pike in Cabinet Gorge were having commitment issues and didn't want to smash an easy snack. The smallmouth fishing wasn't too bad. I only spent 45 minutes chasing smallies with gear, but it paid off. Nothing bigger than 2 pounds, but plenty of active bass looking to eat anything salted and scented.

Do you know the best way to rig your fly rod to ensure pike won't shred your leader?