Water temperature?

[OttoDita]

Just a few questions about water temps. Well, I guess just one. Yesterday we went out for an hour to check out the locate river.

We couldn't get any bites, couldn't even see any fish. This spot is a hotspot, loaded with fish, when it's nice and warm. My question is what temps do Smallies and panfish usually start getting active and filling thier bellies?

Yesterday I'd guess it was less than 70 degrees in the water. Maybe between 60 and 65.

I'd just like to know when to head back out and start plugging away again

Any help is appreciated,
Shane

[Bamboozle]

Otto:

56-70 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for bass and I'm sure sunfish but if you are guessing what the water temps was what good is the information?

Buy a thermometer and make sure to check the temp and not just the surface temperature. But don't be surprised if there were other reasons your fish had lock-jaw. If it was as simple as just fishing at the right temperature it would be, well...

...simple.

[Fly_Line]

If smallies are what your after I recommend reading Tim Holschlag's book
Smallmouth Fly Fishing, it's loaded with good information. I bought his
book at the Greatwaters expo and just finished reading it, currently I am
working on some of the recommeded fly
patterns. One thing I learned is that smallmouth migrate, sometimes as
much as 50 miles to their wintering hole. You can check it out at
smallmouthangler.com

Also I agree, you should get a thermometer, I use a cheap digital kitchen
thermometer from Walmart and it works great. The reason I say this is I
live south of you and right now I haven't found any water out of the 40's
yet.

[OttoDita]

Yeah, it's probably a lot colder than I think it is. I'll get a thermometer. I need it to warm up, I'm going crazy. It looks so nice out, but the fish have lock-jaw haha.

I'll do some reading while I wait for the water to warm up

Thanks,
Shane

[OttoDita]

As for flies, I've been only tying clouser minnows and wooly buggers for now. I might make some foam bugs by hand today thought too. Won't be too easy though, not for me, with size 14 hooks lol.

Oh yeah, the water was crazy fast too, compared to what it usually is in June/July. It's normally a still pool, I dunno if there was even a still spot in it the other day.

Thanks again,
Shane