Brownlee Reports?

olgrizz · 03-24-2008, 06:26 AM

Any Brownlee reports, I know it is early but want to get started learning to fish bass and crappie. Got the week off so might give it a try one day if I can get a report. I have alway been a fly-fisherman, catching trout in eastern Idaho and Montana. Because of a move to southwest Idaho and cost of gas I am learning to fish bass and crappie. Got a small boat and am looking forward to learning, I live about 35 miles from the Owyhee and about 60 from Brownlee so I think I am in a good location to fish and learn. Any report and ideas of lures and color for this time of year would help. Looking forward to meeting a few of you and having a little fishing fun.

Got the summers off so will be on the lakes two or three times a week

Thanks for any help olgrizz

retaliate · 03-24-2008, 07:00 AM

Since your so close, why don't you get the report for us?, We'll be there the end of April, & will give our report when we get back in early May, still 1 month away, Praying for Warm Temperatures, as all the snow melt will surely cool the water a bit, Good Luck!

fishnfun · 03-24-2008, 08:59 AM

Some of the best brown trout fishing in the west in is the owyhee river below the dam if you want to give that a shot.

EZOP · 03-24-2008, 05:50 PM

My buddy went up to Woodhead Friday and was going to stay for 10 days. Haven't heard from him, but I think they have been catching crappie/perch, just not as good yet. I hear some bass have been caught also. The water is low with only a few ramps available. Check here for levels. http://www.idahopower.com/riversrec/.../reservoir.cfm

I plan to be camping at Woodhead multiple times this year. End of April should be my first trip, then in May, June, July, August, Sept and my last trip in October. I store my trailer at the Gateway Store, then just drag the boat back and forth. I'm getting excited just thinking about it.

myxxolydyan · 03-24-2008, 06:36 PM

Temps are still pretty cold. It's been snowing in Baker and La Grande

("Oh Lord, please make it stop") We're all waiting for Spring to get here, and for the water temps, and level to rise. I'm not much help with advice on fishing Brownlee this time of year. The water is really low. After the spring snow melt, and after the temperatures reach 55-58 degrees, the bass bite will pick up.

What I've found is that everything you watch on T.V. about LM bass works for SM. Everything you watch about crappie, perch, and catfish works. I would recommend stocking up on soft plastics, crank baits, and jigs for the bass. Crappie jigs in a multitude of colors work well for both crappie and SM bass. I wouldn't suggest getting too scientific about fishing at Brownlee. Just go try it, remember what the conditions were like, check water temp., and if your not catching fish on whatever it is your using, try something different.

Good luck and keep us posted on your luck.

Damon · 03-25-2008, 05:31 AM

I have had some incredible perch fishing over there during the first week of April. We have even gotten into the crappie over there that early in the year.

olgrizz · 03-26-2008, 07:09 AM

Ok here is the report, fished most of the day across from Woodhead park. Water temp was from 45 to 47 degrees. Most of the fish were suppended from 30 to 40 feet in 65 feet of water. Being new to this type of fishing, most of the fish stayed right where they were. We did catch two 18" bass of about 2 lbs and 6 crappie from 10" to 12". The crappie went home with us. Had a great time, but one question; when they are suppended that far off the bottom how do you catch them. We tried drop-shotting, but it just didn't work that great. Well it is off to the Owyhee tomorrow to give it a try there.

Thanks for any help with this type of fishing!

retaliate · 03-26-2008, 08:20 AM

Thanks for the report OG, wish I could answer your Question, I usually fish the End of April or Early May, by then they are shallower, I have caught them deeper with Tube Jigs, casting or drifting near the bottom, but usually no more than 15' to 20' deep, we'll be in the Graveyard Area 4-26 thru 5-4, maybe longer, stop by & visit if your in the area then.

bassnbass · 03-26-2008, 09:10 AM

How's the water level there? when will back to normal level. I'm thinking heading over there end of April.

olgrizz · 03-26-2008, 09:27 AM

BB Water level was about 50' low, no problems getting in at Woodhead. I think the ramps at the upper end are out of water. I also think they are starting to fill now. OG

retaliate · 03-26-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassnbass

How's the water level there? when will back to normal level. I'm thinking heading over there end of April.

Usually by the end of April the level is about 10' from Full Pull, by Memorial day it is usually Full.

Crappie Chaser · 03-26-2008, 11:49 AM

OG, you actually did pretty good. When the water is cold and rising in the spring, crappie are hard to catch. They are deep because that is the zone they are comfortable in. The small minnows and zoo plankton may be at that depth also. When the water is cold their metabolism slows down, they get sluggish and they won't feed everyday. Once in awhile someone catches them on the feed and brings in a big early catch but that is the exception, not the rule. The bite is usually very light and hard to detect. I use the lightest tip rod I can find, 2lb test and small jigs down to 1/64oz. Some days if you wait to feel the bite you won't catch a fish. There will be nothing to feel.You need to see the rod tip move, lift until it loads up then set the hook.I would rather put split shot above the jig than use a heavier jighead. I also downsize the jig body from the standard 1 1/2 " to a 1". I also seem to do better with marabou than plastic early spring. Tipping your jig with bait can also help. Crappie nibbles, maggots and waxworms are all good. Think ice fishing tactics.
I am no expert and would never want to be considered one but these are some patterns I have put together through the years. Just remember, there are no absolutes and the best is yet to come.

pitchnboy · 03-26-2008, 03:18 PM

Im heading over there in Mid May...what should i exspect for bass because thats all i do?

thanks pitch

shinnookums · 03-26-2008, 04:01 PM

I'll be there next week for washington's spring break and will give a report. That's the same week I always go and have had some really good trips then. I generally have the best luck catching 12-15 inch smallmouths in their pre spawn phase. Use deep diving crankbaits with a fast retrieve.

sbasser · 03-26-2008, 07:27 PM

Two tactics that might work well for suspended bass... they're a bit out in left field, but worth a try if nothing else is working. One is to find the school, and pitch something like a 3"- 4" grub or tube on a jighead. Experiment with jig weight, to get the speed right...heavier may help, as might smaller line, to get the speed up. The idea is, that if the fish are 30' down, pitch out 30-35', and let the grub do a kamakazi run into the school. Somebody's gonna lose it & bite.

The next bizarre idea is to dropshot a suspending jerkbait. A small one for cold water. One with a tight wiggle...a Rapala. No larger than a #9, smaller if possible. Get the floaters and make them suspend by adding weights. The dropshot rig is simple enough, with the key feature being that the sinker is below the lure. The bad thing is that Rapala's hooks pretty much suck, so you need to replace them or carefully sharpen them so they're 'sticky'. Their hooks are typically odd sizes, so be careful about upsizing. They can sometimes foul, and that's bad. I'd probably use Rainbow, but I see there's a "Brown Trout" color now, so that might work better there.

I must admit that I like unconventional tactics and baits. Give them something they haven't seen, and you'll get lucky more often. OTOH, this time of year, they've forgotten everything they knew from last season, except how to make babies. C&R, Steve

pitchnboy · 03-26-2008, 07:30 PM

suspended fish can be very hard and tricky to catch.

bpm2000 · 03-26-2008, 07:46 PM

dropshot hard bait - very cool idea.

MXRacer105 · 03-27-2008, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbasser

.....The next bizarre idea is to dropshot a suspending jerkbait. A small one for cold water. One with a tight wiggle...a Rapala. No larger than a #9, smaller if possible. Get the floaters and make them suspend by adding weights. The dropshot rig is simple enough, with the key feature being that the sinker is below the lure. The bad thing is that Rapala's hooks pretty much suck, so you need to replace them or carefully sharpen them so they're 'sticky'. Their hooks are typically odd sizes, so be careful about upsizing. They can sometimes foul, and that's bad. I'd probably use Rainbow, but I see there's a "Brown Trout" color now, so that might work better there. ......

They mentioned a technique like this in the newest issue of BassMaster magazine.... Something I would have never thought of trying for sure. In order to make your bait sit correctly, they recommended drilling a hole directly infront of the split ring on the bill of the bait. Run the line through the hole before attaching the drop shot weight.....

myxxolydyan · 03-27-2008, 07:24 AM

Crappie Chaser hit the nail on the head. I, by chance have used the same tactics he described in his post. Suspended crappie bites can be EXTREMELY subtle. A friend and I found large schools suspended in 50' of water, 35' down. We got our jigs down to them but felt nothing on our 7' medium action rods. We switched to ultra lite tackle rigged with 4 lb. test, and were still barely able to feel the bites. We used a classic salmon fishing technique by pulling line off our reels until we reached that magic 35' depth. We counted our pulls and found we were pulling about 2' of line with each pull. This technique consistently got us in the zone where the fish were. The crappie seemed to just nip our jigs. We started this process using just a 1/16 oz. jig. We then added a split shot to get our jigs down faster. After several misses, we added a crappie nibble to our jigs. This caused the fish to bite and hold on, but the bites were still barely noticeable.

Ultimate finesse fishing!!!!!!!!! It was a ton of fun to figure all this out!

Crappie Chaser described a technique that definitely worked for us, so maybe, just maybe he's on to something. Try adding the "pulling" technique to be sure your tackle is down where the fish are. Bass, crappie, whatever they are.

nsyhunter · 03-27-2008, 08:32 PM

My experience with suspended schools in April & May have usually resulted in large crappie especially if you can find them out in the main Snake. Often times we catch half a dozen really nice fish and then they stop biting so we move on to the nest school. I don't ever leave home without the Crappie Nibbles as they can make or break your day.
We use ultralight rods, 4lb test and 1/16th ounce jigsheads with plastic "twister" type bodies. I think the tail action of the jig really helps on the fall. Our technique on suspended schools has been to position the boat 25 feet or so from the school, usually upwind as it really helps casting those light jigs downwind. Then as the jig falls through the school you can barely detect a slight weight on the line and I use a light hook set but keep constant pressure until I'm sure they are hooked. It takes awhile to develop the feel and when you reel in without a crappie nibble on your jig you know youv'e been had!
It's a blast though and April and May consistantly produce bigger crappie.

retaliate · 03-28-2008, 07:03 AM

Yep! Small Repalas with a splitshot or 2 trolled slow will catch Crappie, usually the bigger ones, as well as Bass, Catfish, & even Bluegill.

raptorschild · 03-28-2008, 12:25 PM

Seems like when a brownlee report gets posted..people really respond.

This Brownlee place must really blow. I'm never going there.

myxxolydyan · 03-28-2008, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raptorschild

Seems like when a brownlee report gets posted..people really respond.

This Brownlee place must really blow. I'm never going there.

Cool! More for me!

See ya there. After it quits snowing.

fishonjon · 03-30-2008, 07:54 PM

Me too! Full buckets of slabs. Cant wait!

cimfl · 03-31-2008, 11:36 AM

My reservations for a boat and camping spot have been made long ago. I love the Snake! Good stuff for sure.

JohnCimfl2 · 03-31-2008, 11:48 AM

ya i cant wait either...4lb Smallie here i come

Hunt'nFish · 03-31-2008, 04:10 PM

Yeah, I suppose Brownlee Res is ok fishing. Long drive for us though.
45F and 33ft low....with all the snow pack I'm not sure they'll bring it to full pool so fast this year. Probably result in higher levels later in the year.

Should improve the hatch with the beds staying under water longer.
Hunt'nFish

PS: Grizz, great report and welcome to IFish!

Hunter56787 · 03-31-2008, 05:09 PM

For those that camp at WoodHead, what is the better way to get there? Hwy 86 through Richland or 95 - 71 through Cambridge? We've tried for the last couple of year to get over there, but the wife having a heart attact has slowed us down from traveling so far for a bit. Hoping to make it around the end of May or first part of June this year.

tysdad · 03-31-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunter56787

For those that camp at WoodHead, what is the better way to get there? Hwy 86 through Richland or 95 - 71 through Cambridge? We've tried for the last couple of year to get over there, but the wife having a heart attact has slowed us down from traveling so far for a bit. Hoping to make it around the end of May or first part of June this year.

I-84 to baker city. Head east to halfway and follow oxbow res. to woodhead.

Hunter56787 · 04-01-2008, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tysdad

I-84 to baker city. Head east to halfway and follow oxbow res. to woodhead.

Thanks Td, Google says it's and 8 hour drive . any shortcuts helps!

BuKuBass · 04-01-2008, 08:20 PM

The only way shorter is to start closer.

pitchnboy · 04-02-2008, 02:40 PM

im going in mid may to brownlee!

pitch

dragon67 · 04-02-2008, 03:51 PM

I wish I could move closer to there, but good jobs are hard to find over there. Have to work a job to afford my fishing habit. lol

Hunter56787 · 04-02-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuKuBass

The only way shorter is to start closer.

I'd sure like to do that, but the wife is a bit funny about moving. The nice thing about being retired is that I can stay a bit longer, to bad my retiree pay is so small... I call it Teamsters Welfair . lol

Hunter56787 · 04-02-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitchnboy

im going in mid may to brownlee!

pitch

I have a derby at Fish Lake on the 10th of May and would like to just head on over to Brownlee after that, but I have to take the wife home so she can go to work...

Hope ya catch a bunch! It looks like the first of June before I can make it over there...

raptorschild · 04-02-2008, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunter56787

I have a derby at Fish Lake on the 10th of May and would like to just head on over to Brownlee after that, but I have to take the wife home so she can go to work...

Hope ya catch a bunch! It looks like the first of June before I can make it over there...

I think it'll be interesting to see how this big snowpack will affect the may fishing. Maybe I'm just being a worry wart, but perhaps early June would be a lot safer this year.....we'll see.

EZOP · 04-02-2008, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragon67

I wish I could move closer to there, but good jobs are hard to find over there. Have to work a job to afford my fishing habit. lol

I've been tempted several times to put in for jobs with Idaho Power. They have their housing right there at Brownlee or Oxbow and between the 3 dams they always have jobs available from Brownlee to Hells Canyon.

dragon67 · 04-03-2008, 06:13 AM

Yeah, I have thought about one of those jobs too.

Crappie Chaser · 04-03-2008, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raptorschild

I think it'll be interesting to see how this big snowpack will affect the may fishing. Maybe I'm just being a worry wart, but perhaps early June would be a lot safer this year.....we'll see.

Jake, it's just a guess but I still think your timing will be ok and I'll tell you why. In 06 the snowpack was even heavier. There was also some dam work going on that kept the level down longer than it had to be. We were down -52 on May 1st. By the end of the month we were almost full. We were fishing by the 2nd week in May. It was terrible fishing but we were fishing. I'm thinking we are going to be ahead of that schedule this spring. It's warming up over here, the last few days have been beautiful. June is a great time to come, the weather is usually great, the resv. is stable, fewer people and the fishing is good, just not great for crappie. Seems like the black crappie will spawn in late April -May regardless of conditions but some whites will still be spawning late May -early June. The other species take up the slack.
Every year is going to be different on a flood control reservoir. This year the Corp of Engineers has a new man in charge. Hopefully he puts the concerns of the small towns whose economies rely on usuable Spring water levels as high as possible. He may be able to give a more accurate water forcast. James Barton, Chief of Water Management NW Division, 503-808-3930.

olgrizz · 04-03-2008, 07:27 AM

I am hoping to go down this weekend, got a kitchen pass from the Mrs.

This will be the only time I can get there in the next couple of weeks. Hoping the next couple of warm day (low 60s) will bring the fish up a little. Will try and report Sunday!

raptorschild · 04-03-2008, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olgrizz

I am hoping to go down this weekend, got a kitchen pass from the Mrs.

This will be the only time I can get there in the next couple of weeks. Hoping the next couple of warm day (low 60s) will bring the fish up a little. Will try and report Sunday!

you are one lucky dude to live so close. Dont' take er for granted!

retaliate · 04-04-2008, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raptorschild

I think it'll be interesting to see how this big snowpack will affect the may fishing. Maybe I'm just being a worry wart, but perhaps early June would be a lot safer this year.....we'll see.

I agree with CC, The Big Snowpack in Western Oregon, dosn't reflect much of the Snake River basin Snowpack. May fishing Brownlee is almost always a good bet.

shinnookums · 04-04-2008, 04:33 PM

I promised a brownlee report when I got back from spring break so here it is. Fished one day (wednesday the 2nd) from 10am-3pm out of Woodhead and my Dad and I caught 16 bass of which 12 were keepers and the other 4 were no smaller than 11". Most were around 15 inches with one 17" fatty that I guessed at 3-4#. She was built like a football. All on deep diving crankbaits with shad and chartreuse/tiger colors being the most productive. Beautiful day with very little wind and only about a half dozen other boats on the water.

bassnbass · 04-04-2008, 05:02 PM

how are the level of water? full yet?

shinnookums · 04-04-2008, 06:16 PM

Water level is still really low but there was no problem launching at woodhead.

bassnbass · 04-04-2008, 07:22 PM

where exactly is woodhead?

EZOP · 04-04-2008, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassnbass

where exactly is woodhead?

Try this for more info bassnbass.
http://www.idahopower.com/riversrec/...c/woodhead.htm

bassnbass · 04-04-2008, 10:13 PM

many thanks EZOP

myxxolydyan · 04-05-2008, 09:44 PM

It's low and the fishing was SLOW! I had to give it a try though. I walked down to the big corner trying Tex rigs, Crank Baits, a couple different jigs, and even a bobber with a jig. Not even one bite. 04/05/2007

I need to hold my tongue different.

Attachments: 1 (the flats) I've caught a couple fish out in that dirt. 2 (Boat Launch) Nothing to say here

Marshall

sbasser · 04-05-2008, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MXRacer105

They mentioned a technique like this in the newest issue of BassMaster magazine.... Something I would have never thought of trying for sure. In order to make your bait sit correctly, they recommended drilling a hole directly infront of the split ring on the bill of the bait. Run the line through the hole before attaching the drop shot weight.....

Drilling the hole in the bill makes sense...I like it. FWIW, I haven't been a member of BASS since the early '90's, and haven't looked at an issue of the mag in that time. I just got tired of seeing all the same old articles with new pen names and pictures. At the time, there were more informative magazines out there. Now, I don't know if there are any good magazines left, but BASS has nothing that interests me. I'd rather figure out something for myself, using something in an unconventional way to trick them basses.

C&R, Steve

bassnbass · 04-06-2008, 11:54 AM

wow that is really low, you can almost noodling for bass.

bassnbass · 04-06-2008, 11:55 AM

is woodhead in richland oregon?

retaliate · 04-06-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassnbass

is woodhead in richland oregon?

Woodhead is on the Idaho side, a few miles South of the Dam on Hwy 71 at the mouth of Brownlee Cr. Cove, best way to get there is go past Richland, & Halfway on hwy 86, turn South on Hwy 71, follow Hwy 71 around Oxbow Res., The Hwy crosses the Snake river just below Brownlee Dam, continue on Hwy 71 4 or 5 miles & your there, keep in mind if your Bank fishing the Idaho side you'll need a Idaho fishing lisense, If your in a Boat you don't Need a Idaho Lisense.

fishonjon · 04-06-2008, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myxxolydyan

It's low and the fishing was SLOW! I had to give it a try though. I walked down to the big corner trying Tex rigs, Crank Baits, a couple different jigs, and even a bobber with a jig. Not even one bite. 04/05/2007

I need to hold my tongue different.

Attachments: 1 (the flats) I've caught a couple fish out in that dirt. 2 (Boat Launch) Nothing to say here

Marshall

Are these pics hewitt holcomb park

nsyhunter · 04-06-2008, 06:08 PM

That's Hewiit Park. Water is usually up to the bottom of the ramps by now. Looks like the main Snake is the best bet.

bassnbass · 04-08-2008, 10:43 AM

snake river rd is that part of brownlee reservoir or hells canyon?

bassnbass · 04-08-2008, 10:44 AM

when will the water be @ full pool?

shinnookums · 04-08-2008, 11:22 AM

When weather permits, Idaho Power likes to gradually raise the water level to full by memorial day.

BuKuBass · 04-08-2008, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassnbass

snake river rd is that part of brownlee reservoir or hells canyon?

In this context, it runs between the two along the west side of Oxbow rez.
Those in Richland may think that you're talking about the road that climbs SE from Richland then drops into Brownlee near Swede's Landing. It proceeds south up-rez to the mouth of the Burnt.

pitchnboy · 04-08-2008, 04:23 PM

man thats scary. i still dont understand how and why the water gets that low. like i have heard of lakes being 90ft low? how is the all possible, the heat cant do that i know that. do they just let the dams wide open and just blow everything out? how does the fishing get back up?

pitch