It seems hard to believe that its August already but when you lose a month of the summer due to high water it makes for a short season. The good thing is the water is still dropping and the lake is in great shape so we should be in for some fantastic fall fishing. The lake is getting to the level that more of the boat ramps should be opening maybe by the weekend. We have been fortunate here at Osage Bluff to keep our ramp open during the flood but if coming to the lake you might want to call and check on the status of ramps in the area you want to boat in. A word of caution is advised when boating that with the lake dropping some of the trees are starting to show so it's time to start running in the channels again.
Archery season opens in 45 days so it's getting time to get the old stick and string out and get those muscles back in shape. I have been seeing lots of deer moving at sun up and sun down so extra caution when driving in the lakes area is a must. I have had several emails from the DNR in regards to regulation changes this year so you might want to check these out for the county you hunt.
LAKE LEVEL: 722.9
WATER TEMP: 84 deg.
WATER CLARITY: Clear to lightly stained.
CRAPPIE: The crappie fishing remains the same as last week. Secondary points seem to be working the best in 18'- 20' of water down about 10' with minnows. You have to hit several points but when you hit an area with fish there seems to be good numbers there. Drifting the creek channels either spider rigging or just drift fishing with a long pole is also producing some fish. 25' of water down 12' with minnows seems the most productive. As the lake continues to drop the tree rows on the flats will get easier to fish and should produce some big fish as they haven't been fished most of the summer.
BASS: Secondary points are still the best now with a jig and frog. Look in 8'-12' of water. There is a top water bite on the flats in the creeks early and late where the big pods of shad are hanging on the surface. Pop R's and buzz baits seem to be working the best. Some of the trees along the edges of the shallower humps are holding some suspended fish. A do nothing worm or a jig will work in these areas.
WHITES & HYBRIDS: The hybrids have slowed down a little this week. They are still holding in all their normal places but with so many shad schooling in those areas it's hard to get a fish to chase a bait. Evening seem the best when either trolling a deep running crankbait or throwing a 4" sassy shad on a 1/2 oz head.
CATFISH: As normal the cat fishing here on Truman is good. Jugs have been working well this week in 8'-12' of water Cut bait fished on the flats set 5' to 8' is producing all different sizes of blues big and small. Rod and reel drift fishing is starting to come on in the same areas. Trot lines along the edge of the flats close to the channels is also working with cut bait set about 8' in 20' of water. Remember when running lines or jugs to check them often so as not to lose any fish with the warm water conditions.
WALLEYE: We saw lots of walleye come in last weekend. Trolling Flicker Shad and using crawler rigs around KK Island and in the dam area was very productive. With the water continuing to drop I look for this bite to continue into the fall.
That's the report for this week. We are taking reservations for boat stalls at Osage Bluff at 660-438-2939 or for motel rooms at 660-438-2891. We have a holiday coming up at the end of the month and are planning some big events with more to come on this later so don't miss the fun.
Till next week
Tommy
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