September 05th, 2014
ROOSEVELT LAKE – (2.090 feet, 38-percent full). Jim Goughnour of Rim Country Custom Rods with an Aug. 30 report:
Good morning, Rim Country anglers,
Hey, do you get the feeling fall is coming? Brisk temperatures in the morning, cool monsoon rains and the bull elk were heard bugling in Payson this past week. That's a sure sign that fall is coming and the rut is getting underway. I was fortunate to watch several elk just west of Payson this past week for about a half-hour. It’s a spectacular sight -- what a great time of year to be in Rim Country.
Bass-fishing was called “good to very good†this past week, with good reports coming from both ends of the lake. What a difference this freshwater entering the lake can make in a short amount of time.
From first light until about noon seems to be the best times reported. Anglers continue to target shad schools in the backs of coves with top-water baits, and as the sun gets higher, they switch to a dropshot technique in 20-25 feet water off main lake points. Darker color 3/8-ounce jigs were also reported successful.
The water level in Roosevelt Lake this week remained constant at 38-percent full.
Both the Salt River and the Tonto Creek continue to bring freshwater into the lake. The amount of monsoon rain flowing into the lake is off-setting the amount taken out for downstream use, which is a very good thing. The rains helped avoid algae blooms, which cause fish kills and kept the level of the lake at a safe level this summer.
The crappie bite was called “fair†this past week by Curt Rambo, a legendary crappie angler and guide. Small schools of crappie are being caught in brush or rock piles in 25-30 feet of water. Hot spots reported include the rocky shore near the dam on the highway side of the lake. A small 2-inch grub tail or the Lil Fishy bait we've been talking about on the 1/16- or 1/8-ounce jighead is an excellent summer time bait for crappie.
Trout stockings by AZGFD for the East Verde River and Haigler Creek have ended effective this week.
Stockings will continue for another couple of weeks for Canyon, Willow Springs and Woods Canyon Lakes and the Tonto Creek. If you're headed to one of the Rim lakes this weekend, PowerBaits, a Panther Martin and a Mepps spinner were all reported successful. back...
Good morning, Rim Country anglers,
Hey, do you get the feeling fall is coming? Brisk temperatures in the morning, cool monsoon rains and the bull elk were heard bugling in Payson this past week. That's a sure sign that fall is coming and the rut is getting underway. I was fortunate to watch several elk just west of Payson this past week for about a half-hour. It’s a spectacular sight -- what a great time of year to be in Rim Country.
Bass-fishing was called “good to very good†this past week, with good reports coming from both ends of the lake. What a difference this freshwater entering the lake can make in a short amount of time.
From first light until about noon seems to be the best times reported. Anglers continue to target shad schools in the backs of coves with top-water baits, and as the sun gets higher, they switch to a dropshot technique in 20-25 feet water off main lake points. Darker color 3/8-ounce jigs were also reported successful.
The water level in Roosevelt Lake this week remained constant at 38-percent full.
Both the Salt River and the Tonto Creek continue to bring freshwater into the lake. The amount of monsoon rain flowing into the lake is off-setting the amount taken out for downstream use, which is a very good thing. The rains helped avoid algae blooms, which cause fish kills and kept the level of the lake at a safe level this summer.
The crappie bite was called “fair†this past week by Curt Rambo, a legendary crappie angler and guide. Small schools of crappie are being caught in brush or rock piles in 25-30 feet of water. Hot spots reported include the rocky shore near the dam on the highway side of the lake. A small 2-inch grub tail or the Lil Fishy bait we've been talking about on the 1/16- or 1/8-ounce jighead is an excellent summer time bait for crappie.
Trout stockings by AZGFD for the East Verde River and Haigler Creek have ended effective this week.
Stockings will continue for another couple of weeks for Canyon, Willow Springs and Woods Canyon Lakes and the Tonto Creek. If you're headed to one of the Rim lakes this weekend, PowerBaits, a Panther Martin and a Mepps spinner were all reported successful. back...
