Horse Creek Resort
Greg Brisendine
Dusk to Dawn Guide Service
www.dusktodawnguide.com
270-647-0290
brisendineg@bellsouth.net
Thomas P. Weaver
Horse Creek Resort
800-545-2595
horsecreek@twlakes.net
www.horsecreek-resort.com
Greg’s weekend report: As we head into the new month of March surface water temps now have reached 46.4 degrees, due to the several cold nights the we experienced last week. Warm wind and sunshine have the lake temps coming up to 49.1 by mid day, but they are sure to turn on the upswing with the warm weather of this week.
Lake levels are now slightly on the rise at 644.67 due to the lack of generation. Generators are only running 2 to 3 hours during peak morning and evening hours, and with the storms of this week the level is sure to make a jump.
Smallmouth are still being taken on several different methods–tail spinners, swim baits, and the float n fly with a leader length set at 10′ to 14′ have been key plans of attack.
Low light and shady conditions have been the best for watching the float disappear when targeting the backs of creeks and hollows–where the bait was locating and fishing was best.
Below are a few pics of some good ones my guest and I landed last weekend. 02 March 2012
Water temps were right around 47.5 over the weekend and have fallen a little due to a few cold nights we have been getting and lake levels are holding pretty steady at 643.63. Generation has slowed some since the Corps is not running around the clock now. They have gone to running two or more during peak usage times.
Smallmouth fishing has been good with fish being taken on several different methods. Float-n-fly, tail spinner, jigs, and swim baits have been working well. The float-n-fly has produced well for me and my partners using 10′ to 12′ foot leader. Fishing it in the backs of pockets and creeks has seemed to be the key with a few pull downs coming on the main lake flats.
For those of us that were there Sunday morning, we did get to witness some beautiful winter weather. We were treated to the biggest snow flakes I have seen in quite sometime, where in less than 1.5 hours we had gotten over 2 inches.
Below are some good ones caught by those accompanying me last weekend and a 21.75″–5 lb. 14 oz. beauty that jerked my bobber under.
Weekend report from Greg:
Water temps were on the rise last weekend, but this weekend’s cold front may level them off. The lower end had increased to 49.5 from 48 degrees–which is kind of strange for this time of year, but with the mild winter we have had so far and the warmer nights, it’s understandable.
The lake level is holding steady around 643.5, and generation was around the clock with one generator and two or more coming online during peak usage hours.
The float-n-fly bite is starting to taper off some, but fish can still be caught using 9′ to 12′ leader lengths under low light conditions.
The tail spinner bite is still going strong on main lake, fished slowly at 25′ to 35.’ A swim bait bite is also still producing a few in the shallower depths, but should pick up strong as soon as we see water temps reaching above 50 degrees.
Here is a decent fish taken on the bobber last weekend by a friend of mine that joined me last Sunday. Reports of other good ones have also been coming in on a regular basis, including this 5.8 bruiser caught by Ellis Bevil in the brutal cold this past weekend. 12 Feb 2012
Lower end water temps are right at 48 degrees and are holding steady due to the warm days and mild nights we’ve been having. Reports of cooler temps near the mid-40’s are coming from the upper end of the lake. Lake level was 643.52 Saturday morning and now falling due to the heavy generation schedule.
The float-n-fly bite is still steady during low light conditions using 10′ to 12′ leaders on main lake shale banks and points, and it seems like the creek bite has slowed way down.
Tail spinners are also catching good numbers on main lake rocky points and banks near deep water. The 4″ Big Hammer swimbait is also producing well on main lake flats when it is fished real slow just staying above the grass.
Below are a couple of shots of one of my clients from over the weekend.
Weekend report from guide Greg Brisendine (1/20-1/22):
I’m begining to wonder if the water temps will reach the low 40’s this winter–the way it’s going most likely not. Temps this past weekend on the lower end were 47.5 to 48.1 degrees and they are not going to change much unless the forecast changes.
We got lots of rain Friday night (2+ inches) and it stained the backs of the creeks and hollows. It also started an increase in the water level, which now sits at 642.29 (ft/above sea lvl) and rising. Generation is still around the clock, and now due to all the rain, looks like current will increase to 2 or more.
The Float-n-Fly bite is now in full swing with several fish being taken on the 10′ to 12′ leader lengths on several different color flies.
The bite is best early and late during low light, but cloudy days will produce throughout the day. Main-lake shale banks and secondary creek points are producing for me and my guests.
Below are a couple of big girls I caught while waiting for the fog to lift one morning over the weekend. One was just over the 21-inch mark and the other was just shy, but both were more-than healthy.
Now’s the time to get your line stretched on the old buggy whip, so give Horse Creek a call to set up your Float-n-Fly trip before spring gets here!
