I had no idea what to expect today on my first ever trip to Flowing Lake. I knew the lake was recently stocked with thousands of fish and most of the reports up to this point were positive. I took the 50 mile drive and arrived at the county park at about 11:00 am. It was packed at the launch and the dock had several anglers on it. I spoke with the park ranger briefly who told me there was no truck/trailer parking spots due to 3 vehicles without trailers, whose drivers thought it was okay to take those spaces reserved for vehicles with attached trailers, so the ranger had three tow trucks on the way to remedy the issue. Good for her!!! I asked her if there was another launch and she provided me with directions to the public access.

I arrived at the public access and found it full as well so after a short wait in line to launch my boat, I parked out on the road in the few remaining spots and returned to my boat. I hate leaving my boat out of sight even to park my vehicle after launching as it is full of expensive equipment that I would hate to find missing in the short time I am away, but I guess it’s a chance we all take on occasion.

I began trolling Rapala lures and there were abundant numbers of fish turning on the surface. It kind of reminded me of water that is beginning to boil. My electronics marked lots of fish confirming their presence. I gave the Rapala about 20 minutes and was surprised I didn’t have a strike. So for the next three and a half hours I trolled between the two launch areas switching presentations frequently without even a bite. The water temp was 54 degrees which I thought was a good temp for rainbow to be feeding but despite the great weather today with almost no wind, these trout were not cooperating. You name it, I trolled it including 4 different flies, Mack’s Flash Lite with Wedding Ring and power bait, 3 colors of flat fish, a frog/pearl Dicknite spoon, two different Kast Masters, two different Rooster Tails, and I spent a spell still fishing above a large school of trout using three different colors of power bait. NOTHING!!!!!! So after 4 hours I called it quits and began my 1 hour drive home.

It was almost like opening day as far as boat presence on the lake was concerned. Both launch parking lots were full as I mentioned, and the shoreline at the county park was also lined with folks wetting a line, including some with very loud voices. It’s my guess that had I sat it out with the power bait, I could have caught something but that’s not my kind of fishing. So that’s the story of my first time at Flowing Lake. I am sure there were folks who caught fish and will even post a positive report for the lake today. For me, fishing was absolutely terribly poor!

Joel McVey

4/19/2009 1:13:00 AM

Hey Dave, I have fished this lake a few times now and the first time I went out this year about 2 weeks ago I had the same problem as you, however as soon as I dropped anchor and still fished I my luck turned.  Just go to the east launch which was the 2nd one you ended up at and go right out just off the launch, its only about 10 ft deep but thats were the fish are.   They plant at both ends of the lake so the fish are still hanging around there.  Pretty nice size too, I have caught 10 fish in 3 trips, none under 15 inches.

bobmarni

4/19/2009 10:17:00 AM

you think thats bad wait till the jet skis come out!!!!

Dave

4/19/2009 11:56:00 AM

Thanks for the info Joel. I did give still fishing with power bait a try and my fish finder marked lots of fish where I was still fishing but not a bump. If I make the drive there again (before the water skiers start up), I will try your suggestion. I just filed a report for Blackman's Lake which I fished this morning. I killed em there two weeks ago on a olive woolly bugger. Today, three hours and not one bump. Depressing but fun all the same.

TroutScout

4/20/2009 10:32:00 AM

Dave,
I'm sorry to say, but I'm glad that somebody is having the same experience I've been having the last few times out! I have tried countless lure/bait combos and techniques and have gotten not one bite! My recent outtings have included Lk. Stevens, Goodwin and Flowing. Better luck next time I suppose!

BentRod

4/20/2009 11:41:00 AM

Dave, read my report for Beaver Lake on Saturday.....same thing....nothing. Sorry you had bad luck, but I'm glad I wasn't the only one :). I'm waiting for somebody to post on their "Awesome Day" last Saturday. Better luck next time.

Dave

4/20/2009 3:28:00 PM

Thanks guys. It's nice to know I'm not the only one experiencing poor fishing following the stocking of thousands of fish. Hopefully things will improve as we approach the opener.

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