As we ended 2024, the lake level on Richland Chambers was down near 2.5 feet and the chances were not that great for the type of rainfall amounts we need to fill the lake back to full pool level. It takes a lot of water to fill a 45,000-acre lake!
Well, fast forward to the end of January and RC is absolutely full and the creeks are still running slightly above their normal levels. We incurred a couple of rain events that dropped a combined 4 inches to-7 inches of rain in the watershed, which is just north and west of the lake.
We’re now in a position to have a great spring spawn, a full lake to begin the summer, and an AWESOME start to 2025!
The storm systems that filled the lake did keep us off the water most of last week, but the weather cleared, wind dropped and temperatures moved up by week’s end and we were able to fish on Saturday. What a nice day after a chilly early start! My Clients and I headed for the timber off the Richland Creek Arm of the Lake near Crab Creek. All the fresh water had the area slightly stained and the water temperature was at 48 degrees. I was a bit anxious about the conditions, but the Catfish didn’t seem to mind the cold and fresh new water as we caught quite a few Channel Cats on our first stop. After putting about a dozen smaller Cats in the ice chest, we decided to make a move and check different depths. Over the next couple of hours, we fished water depths ranging from 25’-35’ and found a few fish almost every stop, but not a whole lot of fish any one spot. The bite was not aggressive and we probably missed as many fish as we caught. Around Noon, the guys decided it was time for Burgers so we headed to the Marina Cafe for Lunch for them and fish cleaning time for me. We ended the morning with a mix of Channels and Blues and a total of 43 Keepers. All the fish were caught on Mr. Whiskers Cheese Punch Bait ( www.whiskerseeker.com ) on a #4 Treble Hook fished near the bottom. (Coupon Code: GONEFISHIN15 for a 15% discount.)
Adam and I have plenty of February and early March open dates, but the April thru June calendar has really started to fill in the last couple of weeks. We’re now down to Weekdays only in April and May. We do still have some March Spring Break open dates and a couple of Saturdays in February, March and June. If you’re wanting to enjoy a late Winter day on the water, watch the forecast and give us a call. Looks like some warmer weather is on the way this week, but the South Wind may be with it! This time of year we pick and choose our days and hopefully get lucky like we did on Saturday!
Hope to see you soon! Royce & Adam Simmons Gone Fishin’ Guide Service 903-389-4117
