Lake Blue Ridge Fishing Report – January 2022

Blue Ridge: Level: 13.2 feet below 1681. Temp: 51 degrees. Clarity: 10 to 12 feet.

Bass: Guide Eric Welch reports, “The bite is fair. The lake is now at full winter pool, and we have been having some strange weather. Some nights are down in low 30s with days in the mid 50s, then we are right back to days being close to 70 and sunny. The fish for the most part are in their winter patterns. I start out my mornings fishing long, rocky points and around docks that will warm up fast. I choose to throw a drop shot, Ned rig, 3.5-inch tube and a 3/8-oz. jig in these areas. I will run this pattern until noon, and then I will start my way up the river fishing the steep, rocky banks. I will use the same patterns of lures, but sometimes I will mix in a small-sized crankbait, No. 5 Shad Rap and sometimes a Flex-it spoon. The water temp is now at the right temp to throw the Float-n-Fly. I target deep, rocky banks and off long, rocky points. If you have never fished this technique, you have no idea how big a fish will hit this little fly. Midday is a good time to start throwing the A-rig around long points and docks. Good luck.”

Walleye: Guide Eric Crowley reports, “Low water, cold air temps and what seems to be a never-ending breeze keeps most people off the lake this time of year. Not me, I’m loving it. The walleye bite has been great, and we are catching them daily. As the water temps reach the low 50s, the fish have slowed a bit and a more subtle presentation is needed. It’s still a vertical bite, but with less action than last month and with slightly smaller baits. Instead of 3- to 4-foot jig motions, a foot or 2 seems best now. Also the speed you’re fishing needs to slow down a bit. The fish will still eat, but you just have to give them a little more time versus early fall. Spoons, jigs, blade baits and live minnows are all viable options right now. Try different colors on different days. Adjust to the daily conditions, and you can put some fish in the boat. While the daily numbers are about the same, the size of the fish are getting bigger as they pack on the weight for winter. Look for this bite to hold steady until the end of the month when the walleye will start focusing on the upcoming spawn. We are seeing lots of fish in the 20- to 23-inch range and a few 24- to 25-inch fish mixed in. These larger fish are what we are after for the next few weeks.”