July 7, 2010
Lake Elevation: 3638
Water Temp: 79- 84
F
Bullfrog Is Boiling!
The main channel upstream from Bullfrog has erupted with significant sustained striper boils. That is the place to be right now. Cruise the main channel from Bullfrog to Good Hope Bay early in the morning or in the evening to find cooperative striped bass chasing shad on the surface. Slurping boils are still seen every day in the main channel near Wahweap but fishing near Bullfrog and upstream is much more rewarding.
Evan and Gabe Carlson
Boils are seen more often in the main channel than in the backs of canyons.
Shad migrate into the channel in search of plankton where they are found by
stripers that have recently completed spawning in main channel areas. Later
as shad grow larger they will leave the channels and bays to seek shelter in
brush ringed coves. For now, search the channels and bays morning and
evening to find hungry striped bass.
The next step in boil progression will be at Hite. The water is now clearing
rapidly as runoff has subsided to normal summer flow patterns. With
increased visibility shad will migrate into the channels as they have done
down lake and stripers will find them. There are more shad in the productive
inflow areas. Expect boils to be bigger and stronger each day in the Hite
area. That will be the place to be from mid July to the end of the month.
Walleye fishing remains strong
from Bullfrog to Hite. Record numbers of walleye were found in northern lake
sampling last year. Those fish are hungry and willing to hit live worms,
plastic baits and trolled crankbaits. Morning, evening and night are the
best times to fish for these light sensitive fish. They can be caught mid
day and afternoon in areas where wind or wave action has created a mudline
which provides shade for these ambush feeders. Muddy coves along the main
channel are great walleye producing spots.
Bass continue to hit plastic baits, live worms, and spinnerbaits.
Largemouth will be right inside dense brushy shelter. Weedless
rigged baits that can be worked through and retrieved from brush are the
most effective. Four-pound largemouth are still being caught each week.
Smallmouth bass are on rock
structure and seemed to be found more often in the backs of canyons and
coves than in open bays. Trailing a single tail plastic grub rigged Carolina
style or fishing drop-shot rigged plastic baits directly under the boat at
25 feet seems to the best method for successfully taking bass right now.
Catfishing is awesome on sandy beaches near camp in the evenings and just
after dark.
It's the dog days of summer but Lake Powell fish don't care. They are still
being caught in good numbers and in exciting fashion.