Fishing in the spring can be tough due to the overnight weather changes we can see. One day it may approach 80 degrees and then the next day the temps plummet to 35 degrees. Fishing in such conditions takes some thinking ahead and a good attitude. While lakes or ponds are affected by weather as much as rivers, a riparian waterway also experiences flooding more easily as tributaries dump their swollen masses into the rivers.

Columbia ROL jacket

Cold Temperatures
Cold snaps will shut down fishing for a few reasons. First of all, who wants to go fish on a 35 degree day when the day before was 80 degrees and the upcoming weekend is going to be 70? The answer to that question is the person who only has one day off that week. If you are stuck going fishing on a certain day, come bad weather or not, you can choose to stay home and do chores or go fish. Secondly, cold snaps tend to slow the bite down a bit because the fish tend to move away from warmer weather locations. Finding fish on colder days is not a washout. If the sun is out, plan your trip during the mid day hours when the sun can warm the shallows a bit. Mud flats, points, and sand bars warm faster. A second option is for anglers to fish deep on ledges and humps where the fish can get to shallow water for a meal but then return after grabbing a bite or prowling around. Use the fish finder to locate fish that are suspended and cast to them.

Rain or Snow
Rain or snow will cause the sky to be overcast and conditions tend to be colder in the spring with a rain. Overcast skies mean

Columbia ROL bib

that the shallows are not warmed during the day. Unless the rain is a warm one, the fishing is better in deeper water. Go back to those humps, ledges and channel edges for the best bite. Rain also raises the water levels on rivers. Flooding tends to be more prominent upriver, so go downriver to "beat" the high water and fish the upper reaches of the creeks if possible to find clearer water. Some creeks get muddy while some do not. Find what works for you. A stained area with a transition to clear water is a killer location to fish for bass.

Fishing in the rain is also very effective if there have been insects out or the herring or shad run is in full tilt. Insects wash off trees in a rain, worms get washed into the water and herring and shad move upriver more. Just be sure to wear something that is waterproof and warm. Columbia makes excellent gear for this type of weather. The ROL jacket and bibs are a good example of waterproof gear that will keep you dry no matter the conditions. It is important to take a look at the tags on waterproof gear. I have been using Columbia gear because it is windproof as well as waterproof. All seams are sealed too. Wind has a funny way of driving water into some coats and causing problems.

The main river is likely not to be the place to fish if it is raining and the water is muddy. Find sheltered water and do not take chances.

A Warm Spell
A warm spell can be tricky. We all load up the boat when it gets warm and head out. But, has it been warm long enough to draw fish to the shallows? Do not think that one day of warm weather will bring the fish out in force. Take your time and remember those winter fishing techniques. Do probe the shallows and do fish the flats, but be versatile and move around. Explore and when you find the fish, note it and remember it for next time. Transition water may be the best place to be. Those points with sloping bottoms are likely targets for bass, holes near a flat work well for catfish and who knows, maybe the fish will be sunning in shallow water. When fishing this spring be observant and think about what you are facing with the weather. Take a water temperature reading. Most fish in our area prefer water over 60 degrees. Find the warmer water and then begin fishing. The key is to be patient, enjoy the trip and learn from it. Be willing to explore and try new approaches!

Good fishing.