Thread: Sinking Christmas trees

Originally Posted by D10

We do not have one planned yet. Lots to plan and do before the next drawdown. I'm hoping that I can get some money freed up for the weir spillway fesability study. After we get that completed, we will have a complete plan on how to improve the dam structure. Just think, the lake being held at 263' year around instead of having the 1' winter drawdown...
I would like to complete the following things during the next drawdown:
-renovate the dam to a weir spillway
-reroute boat trails away from areas that are too close to the bank
-REMOVE ALL STUMPS FROM ALL BOAT TRAILS!
-remove delapidated piers and boathouses

These are the main issues. I would encourage all anglers to improve the habitat in the lake when it is drawn down. However, it is tough for you to compete with the structure (cypress tress) already in the lake. Go for it though. Just be sure to send me the coordinates!

how bout adding remarking the trails to that wish list so they can actually be followed. some are pretty bad. I have fished Conway since the 60's when I worked at Josh' Landing (which is no longer there, but used to be next to Lawrence) in the summers while playing football at SCA (now UCA) 67-71.

Originally Posted by ibmack

how bout adding remarking the trails to that wish list so they can actually be followed. some are pretty bad. I have fished Conway since the 60's when I worked at Josh' Landing (which is no longer there, but used to be next to Lawrence) in the summers while playing football at SCA (now UCA) 67-71.

oops, hijacked again. my bad

Originally Posted by ibmack

how bout adding remarking the trails to that wish list so they can actually be followed. some are pretty bad. I have fished Conway since the 60's when I worked at Josh' Landing (which is no longer there, but used to be next to Lawrence) in the summers while playing football at SCA (now UCA) 67-71.

Thats part of the plan, he just left it out!

Originally Posted by ibmack

oops, hijacked again. my bad

Originally Posted by blueducklane

No shame in tryin to improve. You guys invest in crappie condos boo buckets pallets stake beds but im thinkin larger scale. If they work like some of you say they work go all in. Of course im appreciative of all the work matt has done and others
with the structure theyve added but...

when is the next drawdown?

Blueducklane, lakes like Nimrod, Dardanelle, and many others that you hear about people dropping structures in are primarily devoid of any natural wood structure for the fish to relate to, or bait fish to take shelter in, etc. Fish, especially Crappie, are structure oriented. Meaning that they are drawn to any type of distinguishing features in, or on, the lake bottom. Old creek or river channels, points that extend out into the lake, humps, holes, bluff walls, rip rap banks, these are all structures that are common in most lakes. These are the areas that people typically target when sinking brush because it creates a sweet spot in an already "fishy" area.

On a lake like Conway, the approach is a little trickier because #1, the general bottom structure of the lake is relatively flat. #2, There is naturally occuring wood structure literally everywhere, so #3 finding those "fishy" areas becomes much more difficult. In other words, it is not as easy as locating a ledge and dropping a stake bed on it because there are literally millions of natural "brush piles" already in the lake that the fish have been using for years. Finding those areas is a slow process that takes more time on the water than most people are willing to spend.

But yes, you can "improve" these key areas once you find them. Small stake buckets on proven trees can sometimes increase your catch, or give the bigger fish something to relate to. Two or three small buckets placed 10 to 15 yards away from that same tree can be another deadly tactic, especially in the Spring when the trees are getting hammered by fishermen, and the females are staging off of the trees a bit.

Once you understand your fishery, you will know how to "improve" it.

I have a cousin that sells a bunch of wood and i mean a whole bunch. All kinds of wood and sometimes its not as pretty as he requires so he knocks the price down and trys to sell it to someone else bit sometimes it sits on a lot and never gets bot. i'm bettin if i gave him a heads up on a drawdown he could hold some in the yard. Imagine a multi acre stake bed!

Originally Posted by blueducklane

I have a cousin that sells a bunch of wood and i mean a whole bunch. All kinds of wood and sometimes its not as pretty as he requires so he knocks the price down and trys to sell it to someone else bit sometimes it sits on a lot and never gets bot. i'm bettin if i gave him a heads up on a drawdown he could hold some in the yard. Imagine a multi acre stake bed!

Sounds good! I will let you and everyone else know about the next drawdown, when we know when it will be. Is it hardwood?

Matt, what is the reasoning for a predetermined winter and summer pool level on a lake ? In addition and more specifically what's the reasoning for it on Lake Conway ?

Originally Posted by Minners N Jigs

Matt, what is the reasoning for a predetermined winter and summer pool level on a lake ? In addition and more specifically what's the reasoning for it on Lake Conway ?

On Lake Conway it has to do with protecting houses from flooding. Many houses are built too low around the lake. Lake Conway was the 1st AGFC lake and we made the mistake of only having a 20' buffer strip (public property) around the lake. Extensive hydrology studies have been conducted on Lake Conway and they all recommend the one foot drawdown during the winter WITH the current dam configuration. The latest hydrology study indicates that a 500' - 1000' weir spillway would be just as effective (if not better) than the current dam/spillway configuration. The weir spillway would not require the 1' drawdown to protect houses from flooding. This is why I have been pushing this idea for a while. The tricky part will be incorporating the existing dam and flood gate structure with a weir spillway. This is a personal and professional goal of mine to get this done.

Originally Posted by Cmj

Blueducklane, lakes like Nimrod, Dardanelle, and many others that you hear about people dropping structures in are primarily devoid of any natural wood structure for the fish to relate to, or bait fish to take shelter in, etc. Fish, especially Crappie, are structure oriented. Meaning that they are drawn to any type of distinguishing features in, or on, the lake bottom. Old creek or river channels, points that extend out into the lake, humps, holes, bluff walls, rip rap banks, these are all structures that are common in most lakes. These are the areas that people typically target when sinking brush because it creates a sweet spot in an already "fishy" area.

On a lake like Conway, the approach is a little trickier because #1, the general bottom structure of the lake is relatively flat. #2, There is naturally occuring wood structure literally everywhere, so #3 finding those "fishy" areas becomes much more difficult. In other words, it is not as easy as locating a ledge and dropping a stake bed on it because there are literally millions of natural "brush piles" already in the lake that the fish have been using for years. Finding those areas is a slow process that takes more time on the water than most people are willing to spend.

But yes, you can "improve" these key areas once you find them. Small stake buckets on proven trees can sometimes increase your catch, or give the bigger fish something to relate to. Two or three small buckets placed 10 to 15 yards away from that same tree can be another deadly tactic, especially in the Spring when the trees are getting hammered by fishermen, and the females are staging off of the trees a bit.

Once you understand your fishery, you will know how to "improve" it.

I hope this didnt come across as though I think I have all the answers. I just try to share what i have learned from trial and error so that the learning curve may be a little shorter for others that are putting their time. Wasnt trying to discredit onyone's thoughts or ideas.

There could be a negative effect changing the dam . When high water backs up to the dam and gates are open , do you not get fish swiming up from the river ? Heard some say there were Threadfin Shad in Conway and shallow as it is how could they survive a hard winter there and die off in Dardanelle some years ? I used to know guys that fished hoop nets in Palarm Creek years ago . Think some of the Flatheads and such don't swim up in high water with gates open ? What's your thoughts on this ?