Brownlee Trip could be a bust!

cimfl · 04-09-2008, 01:59 PM

Well, this really could suck big time! I have this trip planned to Hewitt Park on May 6-12th. From looking at the Idaho power website, they are still letting water out at the same rate its being dumped in....in other words.........mudflats. No boat ramp, no boat! This sucks. How fast can/will it fill up? Any ideas?

EZOP · 04-09-2008, 03:14 PM

Click on elevation history and punch in some past dates for reference.
http://www.idahopower.com/riversrec/.../reservoir.cfm

EZOP · 04-09-2008, 03:16 PM

Or just go to Woodhead instead, they have boat rentals and the ramp will be good.
http://www.brownleereservoirfishing....at-rentals.htm

Hunt'nFish · 04-09-2008, 03:56 PM

I hear you Jim. I'm concerned as well.
Might have to shift to Oxbow or Hell pools, they are always at full pool.
Hunt'nFish

bassnbass · 04-09-2008, 04:37 PM

can somebody tell me is the farewell bend state park boat ramp accessable? what the water level there?

myxxolydyan · 04-09-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassnbass

can somebody tell me is the farewell bend state park boat ramp accessable? what the water level there?

Not sure about Fairwell Bend, but my buddy here says that a boat can be put in there. I haven't been to Fairwell Bend so this report is somewhat unreliable. I can tell you that Hewitt is an absolute NO WAY! The water level at the park looks somewhat like the Sandy River right now. On a good note; another buddy went 1 1/2 weeks ago and caught a lot of perch and a couple bass down around the corner from the park. You have to walk down to where the current finally stops and the water becomes "the pool".

Take a look.....

raptorschild · 04-09-2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cimfl

Well, this really could suck big time! I have this trip planned to Hewitt Park on May 6-12th. From looking at the Idaho power website, they are still letting water out at the same rate its being dumped in....in other words.........mudflats. No boat ramp, no boat! This sucks. How fast can/will it fill up? Any ideas?

AHHHH...the sky is falling the sky is falling....

hehe.

I have had the same concerns but you have to remember that we are about to get a big warm spell soon. I wouldnt freak out too much untill about after about 2 more weeks. But then again....what do I know?

retaliate · 04-09-2008, 06:20 PM

Brownlee or Bust! Have Faith! Cimfl. The Lake fills up fast, should be plenty of Water by the time you get there. Just over 2 Weeks away for us, Can't wait.

Supposted to Warm-up big time the next several Day's.

One way or another were gonna get our Boat(s) in the Water, taking the Little Boat so it shouldn't be a problem, We plan on returning on May 3rd or 4th, we'll give the Report & Lake level than.

BuKuBass · 04-09-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassnbass

can somebody tell me is the farewell bend state park boat ramp accessable? what the water level there?

Since we're dealing with water, it's the same level as anywhere else on Brownlee.

Actually the ramp there reaches deeper than most.
For information, call (541) 869-2365 or (800) 551-6949.

1bigfish · 04-10-2008, 05:59 AM

This website list the water level and the level needed for each boat ramp.

http://www.idahopower.com/riversrec/.../reservoir.cfm

Don't worry Jim the water will be there by the time you get there.

catfishman89 · 04-10-2008, 09:18 AM

Any trip to brownlee reservoir is guaranteed fish unless there is literally no water.

cimfl · 04-10-2008, 10:48 AM

Well, regardless, I have cancelled my reservations at Hewitt, and changed to Woodhead in ID instead. I got the same deal on a nicer boat too. Guaranteed water on the main body of the Snake! And there may not be enough water at Hewitt to launch the 1st part of May, water levels are mimicking 2006, and they didn't have enough then either. I would rather be safe, so its only a 20 minute boat ride back to the Powder River arm anyway. Woodhead is supposed to be a nice park, so its time for a change!! The trip will go ahead as scheduled!

bassnbass · 04-10-2008, 11:11 AM

I'm going to be over fairwell state park on 4/26. do you guy think the water will be full at that time?

cimfl · 04-10-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassnbass

I'm going to be over fairwell state park on 4/26. do you guy think the water will be full at that time?

Nope.

raptorschild · 04-10-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassnbass

I'm going to be over fairwell state park on 4/26. do you guy think the water will be full at that time?

It certainly won't be full pool by then, but if you are at Farewell bend, that it might not matter so much. I'm certainly no expert though!

Duckwheat · 04-10-2008, 03:10 PM

I drove by Farewell bend on March 29th. You could not have launched a boat at that time. You could have driven down the ramp on to a dirt flat to the edge of a shallow river channel.

Why not go to Owyhee. No water problems at all, in my opinion better fishing. My luck at Brownlee the past two years pales in comparison to Owyhee.

I have noticed at Brownlee the past three years certain parties from out of town and fish for 3 days straight and have baskets of Crappie from nice ones to minnow in a fish cage. We are talking hundreds...........

Since I have noticed that type of fishing it has not been the same.

Dw

myxxolydyan · 04-11-2008, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duckwheat

I have noticed at Brownlee the past three years certain parties from out of town and fish for 3 days straight and have baskets of Crappie from nice ones to minnow in a fish cage. We are talking hundreds...........

Since I have noticed that type of fishing it has not been the same.

Dw

I hear ya man.

bassnbass · 04-11-2008, 07:36 PM

I'd just checked the water level for brownlee reservoir. it show full pool, how long will it stay this way??

bassnbass · 04-11-2008, 08:08 PM

http://www.idahopower.com/riversrec/.../reservoir.cfm

retaliate · 04-11-2008, 08:44 PM

[quote=Duckwheat;1959088]I drove by Farewell bend on March 29th. You could not have launched a boat at that time. You could have driven down the ramp on to a dirt flat to the edge of a shallow river channel.

Why not go to Owyhee. No water problems at all, in my opinion better fishing. My luck at Brownlee the past two years pales in comparison to Owyhee.

I have noticed at Brownlee the past three years certain parties from out of town and fish for 3 days straight and have baskets of Crappie from nice ones to minnow in a fish cage. We are talking hundreds...........

Since I have noticed that type of fishing it has not been the same.

I heard Owyhee has been really good the past few years also, maybe we'll check it out while were in the area, last time we went to Brownlee 2 years ago, we got there just after dark, & the whole Hibbard Cr. Cove was lit up with lanterns, they fish round the Clock til all coolers are full, I've noticed this has been making Brownlee less productive than it used to be also, but am trying to keep a open mind, maybe It's just a cycle, maybe not, the State dosn't seem to care, we'll see how it go's this year.

BuKuBass · 04-11-2008, 09:04 PM

It's not at full pool altho the graphic could be misunderstood as such. Today isn't over yet so April 10th is the latest report which is 2029. Full pool is 2077. The level wouldn't rise by almost 50 feet in one day. If it did,

I'd start looking for some old man building a BIG boat and gathering animals two-by-two.

bassnbass · 04-11-2008, 09:25 PM

BuKubashhhh! that's funny. my bad

Hunt'nFish · 04-30-2008, 02:42 PM

Well, looks like they're still letting water out...not filling it! Must be afraid of a fast snow melt.
Lost 10ft over the last month. Hewitt Park launch is still high & dry.

Full pool 2077 and we're sitting at 2025.......RAT VOMIT!

I feel for ya Crappie Chaser.
Hunt'nFish

cimfl · 04-30-2008, 03:02 PM

They are starting holding water back as of today.......forcast for 1' to 2' a day. It will be fine Mike!! I am staying at Woodhead anyway, so I can get out.

dragon67 · 04-30-2008, 03:06 PM

Well have fun and tell us where the hot spots are for when Dave and I get down there. Don't take to many naps lol

hilaker · 04-30-2008, 03:09 PM

I agree with EZOP about staying at Woodhead. It is a bit further of a drive and fuel is not available, but you could fish Brownlee and Oxbow.
A friend of mine here in Baker City has been camped on Oxbow and fishing every weekday and doing great on crappie and catching an occasional large trout. Something to consider.

Crappie Chaser · 04-30-2008, 05:56 PM

Yeah Mike, it's pretty depressing. I guess as long as there is an elk in the freezer poverty is just a state of mind, lol. The deal Baker County struck with Idaho Power was like beads for Manhattan Island. We got nothing meaningfull out of it. The one thing that we needed was a minimum pool, say -30'. Instead we got promises for a launchramp 10 miles away over a steep gravel road that most won't tow a boat over. I didn't book any trips earlier than mid-May in anticipation of the snowpack but I had no idea it would turn out like this,50'down May1st. This looks like a repeat of 06, worst May fishing ever on Brownlee. I'll be re-scheduling or sending back deposits for all my May trips. I'm still going to have a great year on crappie, it just won't be in May. I like fishin them in the summer after they re-group in deep water and the Fall should be really good. Catfishing should be off the hook come July and last thru September.It's a good Spring to catch up on chores around the place.

Hunt'nFish · 05-01-2008, 01:53 PM

Yeah, I agree at minimum enough water to get one of Hewitts launchs in the water.
Maybe they could at least drop some temporary launch tracks in to keep the local economic impact to a minimum. Very poor planning and negotiations.

Well go chase some turkeys or look for sheds.....that'll help get your mind off missing fishing. Guided shed hunts?.....

Hunt'nFish

myxxolydyan · 05-03-2008, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunt'nFish

Maybe they could at least drop some temporary launch tracks in to keep the local economic impact to a minimum. Very poor planning and negotiations.

However, I did watch a pontoon boat drop a guy off about 200 yds. downstream from the end of the launch and he was worried about hitting bottom. With the water this low, even launch tracks would be questionable. But a great idea!

It appears to be filling!

I get my new boat next weekend! Maybe I can get it in there.

GO BROWNLEE GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Duckwheat · 05-03-2008, 10:44 AM

I am still in AK, but Junior read me the water level out of the Boise paper. Brownlee down 27' from full.

I can't tell you where that puts Farewell Bend, but I think I have fished it at least 25' feet low. The Boise River is running 2000 CFM which is up pretty good.

DW

Crappie Chaser · 05-03-2008, 01:46 PM

I checked yesterday and it was about 8'- 10' from the bottom of the ramp at Hewitt. At least 45' below full pool.

treyman97223 · 05-08-2008, 08:40 AM

I spoke with someone at idaho power who works at oxbow...the goal is to have the water level at 2069 by may 20th...subject to change...they are getting pressure from the parks because of lost business. Providing we dont get a major hot spell or cold spell that is the plan. I always wait until 1st week of june to go.

I never fish at night, and I never keep anything under 11 inches (crappie) and Ive never had a bad trip to brownlee.

1bigfish · 05-08-2008, 08:53 AM

Welcome to ifish treyman

retaliate · 05-08-2008, 12:48 PM

Fished Brownlee for a week 4-26 thru 5-2, water level still dropping til Tue, than they started to fill it slowly, Morgan Cr was easy to launch a Boat in my Motorhome with the gentle slope, & Gravel, Spring Boat launch was empty, the river was flowing under the Railroad bridge by the Burnt river when we left Fri. Wish I could report great fishing, but it was slow by Brownlee standards, plenty of Crappie, but the smallest average size I've ever seen, it was good Fri morning before we left for Owyhee res, but still small Crappie, lot's of nice sized Bass this year tho, It'll get better, Good Luck! to all.