Rivers from shore.

[EricCO]

This weekend I was going to head to the Arkansas river right below Pueblo Reservoir. We will be fishing it from shore since it isn't big enough to get a boat into. I believe a guy could almost cast across it.

Was wondering what types of presentations and locations would work in this type of situation?

[sib]

hi eric,
i fish rivers alot. i look for current breaks like wing dams, bridge pylons, large rocks or something a fish can hold in without spending alot of energy and close to the current so it can quickly get food and return to the shelter. sometimes the fish won't stack up at the dam, but might be down stream a bit. look for holes close to shallows, if your there at night be sure to cast into the shallows as they are patrolled by fish seeking baitfish. flipping jigs works real good. i cast slightly upstream and bounce the bottom. i'll toss cranks in the shallows, slower retrieve in cold. I'm not a big spoon guy, but seams like they would work.
"go outside and play"
sib

[Kevin/CO]

Eric you might be best if Neal is going aong for the trip to maybe follow his reads on the water. If memory serves me right and if not my mistake Neal but Neal is a fly fishermen or atleast was (again not so crystal clear memory here). Once you pick up on what types of structures are likely to hold fish and what they look like its most likely hunt and peck till you find a hole thats holding fish. My favorite presentations would have to be the shallow diving cranks and plastics. I would lean more to the plastics however. If there is a series of rocky jetties or points fairly close together I would recomend climbing out on one and casting soem curly tails of 1/4 ounce heads and Gizits one 1/5 ounce heads. Start retreivng them right above the bottom on the edge of the current and in any deep holes. After several casts move up about a foot in the water. Cranks are a good choice but they are not my favorite presentation seeing as each snag can cost anywhere from $3-8. Good luck down south.

[Art/ Co]

Eric,

About three years ago in January I stopped below the dam and watch two teenagers casting small twister tails with 1/16 jigs and small minnows. They were just west of the bridge below the handicap pier where there is a small pool.In about a half an hour they caught 6 eater size walleye. You just never know when those walleye will be there ( water flow).

art

[BILL]

THE RIVER IS LOW WITH MINIMUM WATER COMMING OUT OF THE DAM NOW. A GOOD THING TO TRY IS A MINNOW ON A LIGHT WIRE HOOK AND A SMALL SPLIT SHOT ABOUT 8" UP THE LINE. I HAVE CAUGHT WALLEYES ALL THE WAY FROM THE DAM TO RUNYON FIELD BELOW 1-25. THE RIVER IS ALSO LOADED WITH STOCKER SIZE TROUT AND THE NOW AND THEN A TROPHY BROWN. GOOD LUCK.

[EricCO]

What is the alternative to split shot if the current is going faster?

[BILL]

MORE SPLIT SHOT OR SELECTIVELY FISH THE EDGES OF THE DEAD WATER POCKETS. WALLEYES LIKE THE CALM WATER IN THESE POCKETS, SO DOES BAIT FISH. GOOD LUCK.

[Fin Addict]

I used to do a lot of smaller river fishing from shore in the winter when I was in college and caught lots of very large fish doing so. My top producer was a 1/4 oz. jig w/ a 3" grub, live bait was a waste as it was constantly falling off and did not noticably improve catch rates. Look for likely structure (similar to what you would hit when fly fishing for trout). We caught a lot of larger fish in the current just outside of slower water. Also don't forget to work the shoreline areas. You will often find nice fish in less than 2' of water.

[Backwater Eddy]

Eric it sounds like a typical smalle river barrier dam. I would look for backwaters near the scrub hole, or like areas just down stream to the first or second bend.

Jigs will be the most effective tipped with a big fat minnow. Try Northland Whistler jigs as they hang well in the current and can be slowly worked along the breaks and holds. I suspect the water will be ultra clear to slightly stained so go with silver or gold and stay clear of the hot colors. Try 1/4 to 1/8 oz., try to go as light as possable so the bait will hover in the current.

Night jigging may be the key so have a camera flash handy with a few luminescent jigs, again the Whistler is my top pick in this situation.

Rap's may work at night but keep them slowwwww!

Good hunting.

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