First outing

One of my dad’s coworkers and buddies went by the adage of blooms and specific fish bites. His daughter and hubby got some good Shenango training by Chaunc last century. Dandelions in fluff = crappie time. Lilacs in bloom = walleye time. Apple blossoms - time to gather morel mushrooms. I found the morels last week (greys). Yellows could pop with the next mild rain. Today yielded an exciting catch of a 22” rainbow trout at one of my local lakes. The trout should be happy with the likely chill for at least the next 12 days. I have not caught a crappie yet by accident or otherwise, nor have I seen a dandelion in fluff yet. Only those yellow ‘flowers’.

Well, lets hope Chaunc chimes in, with his views. Didn't know about dandelions in fluff, got plenty of them in my yard, and also have lilacs in mine and neighbors to watch, for info.

When I was a trout on the fly maniac I really got into some dandy fly hatches when and after apple blossom time. Mayflies and caddis hatches became much more predictable. Most times I took a vacation the first full week of May for trout and did very well.

There was something associated with the dogwoods in blossom and the peonies flowers in bloom as well, but I can’t recall what goes with what. I don’t think Chaunc had any input to Mr Irwin’s daughter and hubby on trees, flowers and fish. He just gave them a quality lesson on Shenango fishing—-always the good man that he is. Lessons on trees likely covered fishing blow downs. I bet after these recent wind events that some fresh blow downs are on the shoreline waters. I suspect some floaters are out there as well to be wary of once we get some better weather days.

We have all heard different ones, for sure. Thinking that the water in Shenango, won't go up much, until the week of the 10th, when it will be temps in the 60's, unless that changes. Hopefully they will then be in prespawn, and moving towards shore, at some point.

I typically get them on wood or pads starting at 58 degree surface temp. If I get 2 days in a row of sun and 60’s with that 58 degree temp it’s on! Most importantly those Lilly pads need to hit the surface. It’s obviously fishing, but that’s when I’ve been the most successful. Afternoons have always produced much better for me as well.

My experience is water temps. It takes warm nights to keep temps consistent. 60 during the day but dropping into the mid to low thirties doesn’t keep the crappies moving shallow. When we get 50* temps for three nights in a row, it’s crappie time. That’ll keep the water temps warming during the day and keep the fish in shallow warmer water overnight. This time of year, I look for at least 53* water temps during the day, out of windy areas. 4 to 8ft darker water is good. Don’t need wood or rocks but they help. The fish will be roaming that area enjoying that warmer water and feeding on any baitfish they encounter there. I fished this type area yesterday 4/25 and almost put a limit in my sink. Three shy. Just hang glided and dragging a jig and bobber in 6 to 8 ft. Water temp was 54. Guys were sitting close to shore and catching some but I got all of mine in open water.
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chaunc where you at pymy or shenango ?

Chaunc, that is a nice mess of fish, good job, and thanks for sharing. Betting he was at Pymatuming.

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Originally Posted by S10CHEVY

Chaunc, that is a nice mess of fish, good job, and thanks for sharing. Betting he was at Pymatuming.

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Keith, I hope you didn’t bet the farm cause you’re wrong. Shenango lake. Went back this morning but a different area. Same good results. Plus a bonus perch and couple gills too. The guys were getting setup to put the docks in when I was launching. Was nice not having to crawl or climb out of the boat today. Here’s another sink shot.
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