Lake Blue Ridge Fishing Report – March 2006

Blue Ridge: Level: 15.2 feet below full pool. Temp: 48-50 degrees, the backs of the pockets are a little warmer. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Improving. “We are catching fish every day,” said guide Nathan Lewis. “But some days you catch five, and some days you catch 10.” Nathan said the fish were beginning to get more active and were hitting the glass Shad Rap, but if you fish after a cold front, have a tube jig or a jig ’n pig tied on and slow down. Nathan says he targets windblown points, and he will hit one after another looking for slightly warmer water and more active fish. He fishes the suspending Shad Rap with a pull-stop-and twitch retrieve. Right now he said the retrieve speed is slow, but he will gradually increase the speed as the water warms. Patience is important, and he says he often stops the plug for 10 to 20 seconds. The fish usually hit just as the plug starts moving again. See page 88 for details on March smallmouth fishing at Blue Ridge with Nathan.

Walleye: Slow. A few fish are being caught late in the afternoon on warm days up on the banks on Shad Raps and curly-tail jigs. The jigging spoon bite on deep channel ledges has been sporadic at best all winter, said Nathan.