I Fear That...

[FlyRod]

These much-needed rains here in Texas, especially in the San Antonio and Hill Country area, will not be a gift without consequence. While they've already contributed to (not caused, human error was the reason,) three known deaths since yesterday, and that's the worst of it, there could be another price to pay.
The bass in our "local" lakes; Medina, Canyon, Travis, Boerne City Lake, etc., are into pre-spawn mode and spawning is right around the corner. In fact, the Smallmouth bass in Canyon may have already "triggered", as, perhaps, have the Spots and Guadalupe bass. If there be sudden changes in lake level and turbidity, there will likely be an adverse effect that will knock out one year of recruitment/replenishment of fish stocks. This has most definitely happened before.
With more rains anticipated over the next 48 hours, and with some areas of the watersheds having received up to eight inches of rain, the spawn may be in jeopardy, based on past experience and empirical knowledge.
Still, people need water too, and our area has been in a drought condition as of late. I guess the trade-off is a fair one.

FR

[JB]

the only benefit could be a fishing bonaza when the water rises and they are done spawning

[dampeoples]

Originally Posted by FlyRod

based on past experience and empirical knowledge
FR

That's like, the quote of the year

[pig n jig]

Move North !!!!

[zooker]

fly squatter..
bass will still spawn on time will actually be better as more fry surviving to make MORE BASS-so what is the down side?? just because the pristine south texas lakes get all muddy don't mean fish won't deal with it..

think about this fly swatter 95% of all bass largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass. will build a spawning nest against a large object-rock, log, stump,ect..-if the water gets all stained like you say. it is not going to stop any of the mentioned bass from spawn -never has never will- as for the year class of fish missing that pure BULL!!! trust me .. mud is what i do..

i love muddy water.. i used to play in it as a kid, now i work in it-thats paid to play in it-. and yes dammit i love fishing in it.

and sir when i say fishing in mud i mean this...



any questions??

good!




zooker

[FlyRod]

Snooker,

Obviously, you've never seen the lakes I mentioned by name in flood stage.
Here's what happens, or so the past experiences indicate;
First, eggs already laid are sometimes lost to extreme siltation. Nests are often scoured or otherwise disrupted by extreme current and/or debris accompanying said current. Nests created before the onrush may be below the requisite temperatures due to the increased depth and turbidity=less warming from sunlight penetration. Sudden and heavy rainfall/runoff occuring during low ambient temperatures may lower lake temps to a dangerous level.
Over the years, spawn failures have indeed occured on these lakes due to the effects of weather such as we are now experiencing OR sudden drawdowns.
Our concerns are further bolstered by the research done by Dr. Clementine Fernwilter, PhD, Professor of Marine Marital Matters at Texas A and/or M University and revealed in her treatise entitled "Breeding and Recruitment of Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass in Texas Highland Lakes, subtitled "Hot Time In The Old Lake Tonight" Texas A and/or M Press, 1969. She spent many hours underwater during spawn season before being arrested for voyeurism, so she oughta know.
These are established facts. We are not talking here re water that is normally muddy. Of course the fish can handle that because it is their world as they know it and they act accordingly.
It's the sudden and drastic changes that we here, actually on the scene and on these lakes on a regular basis, are concerned with.
I'm sure I speak for many of us here when I say I appreciate your attempts at reassurance.
BTW, Eaten any good books lately?

FR

[lizardsrule]

Originally Posted by pig n jig

Move North !!!!

rotflmao

Lizards

[zooker]

Originally Posted by FlyRod

BTW, beaten any good books lately?

yes since you asked so nicely. i have one was long and boring-about living in armored tanks -VERY dull..

i did throughly enjoy the fasinating adventure into titus's human embalment 650bc-600bc volume XXIIVI..

zooker

[FlyRod]

For a hearty meal, Zookenstein, I'd recommend "Death In The Tall Grass" by Peter Capstick.
In the mood for a snack? Then any episode of Jim Corbett's memoirs as an eliminator of pestiferous (See: Maneater) tigers and leopards in British Colonial India will satisfy.
Dessert? Why, Patrick F. McManus, of course! Also, "The Old Man and The Boy" stories by Robert Ruark.
You're right...life in the tank business WAS composed of long periods of boredom, punctuated by moments of stark terror and feverish activity. Sorry you couldn't be there to share the fun.

FR

[dampeoples]

How about Tongue in Chic? Bought that one a few weeks ago for Terry, she said it was a good book. I prefer my reading in snack size, can't wait for Wired mag to show up every month, makes good toilet reading.

I hope the spawn happens, and the fish thrive, and that you catch some, heck, even eat a few, they're tasty.

[FlyRod]

As promised in my 3/16/07 report re Canyon Lake (Fishing Reports Forum)...
The effects of the heavy rainfall are very evident. As of the 14th, lake had gained approx 4 feet (from being 6.4 low).
As of about 1300 y'day the mudline had extended perhaps halfway down the main lake and there was abundant flotsam on or just beneath the surface. A few floaters sufficient to pose a boating hazard were observed.
Some of you may be familiar with island off Comal Creek Park, at the end of an underwater "causeway". Up until the rains came, there had been another island, quite small and low in the water, above surface just SE of the main island. When Reb and I crossed from Jacobs Creek to Comal Creek, we observed that the little island was still visible above surface. However, when we finished fishing for the day, perhaps four hours later, the island was completely submerged. So, it's safe to assume that the lake continues to rise as we speak and that the mudline will ultimately arrive at the dam.
Serious note: The little island of which I spoke was, and is now even moreso, a hazard to navigation, as is the area surrounding the main island, to the south and toward the main lake. It is NOT marked in any way.
Also, while one may make a safe passage over the "causeway" between the main island and Comal Park, this can be disastrous unless you know the area very well.
If any of you are planning a trip to Canyon and are unfamiliar with these hazards, or others at Canyon, please IM me, provide a phone number, and have a map of Canyon either in hand or on-screen when I call. We'll go over it together.

FR

[3dkicker]

FR - We have the same problems here in VA on the James and Potomac (and other) rivers. If we get too much or too little water in the month of June then the year class suffers. What they have found out is that you can stock river systems that have been flooded or had a drought. Your Game and Fish people should be able to help out if the flood affects the spawn.

[Nitro911]

Texas Parks and Wildlife is no friend to Canyon Lake, or most of the other lakes in the area. The last time they put LMB in Canyon was 1987. The smallies last got help in 89.