Larto 3-13---3-15

Made the trip to Larto to meet Roger and Buddy at Bud's no.6. It was interesting to see what's going on there. The nice (for the most part) folks that I talked to say that the lake has declined over the last 4-5 years because it isn't getting the overflow from the Red River helping to keep the stock up. I would like to see you all post here that know and give your opinion. They have upgraded the weir at Cross Bayou and its running over now from the diversion canal. The gate at the s/w end of the lake is open a little they say. I understand that there was a meeting to discuss the coming rise in the Red. One guy said that it was going to rise 6 feet from where it is now (39'). Right now its high with big time water back in the bushes. Mother nature is helping with the stock this year. For the most part there is massive amounts of spawning area for all the fish and its going to be more very soon if what they say is true. What was surprising to me was the amount of tiny fish. We fished the inlets to the Shad Lake area coming from the Buzzard Roost and also from the next one over what ever name it is. We caught at least 80-100 per day but we only kept enough for a fry. They were really running small, really small. Some folks were striking out so they weren't everywhere. Very few from shallow when we were there but fishing shallow will be a challenge this year unless you go find some bank reachable. One local was complaining about all the c/as___ from so la coming in and catching all the small fish and boxin em. He actually had more in his box than we had per man. I wanted to tell him that in most cases, silence is a pretty good substitute for brains; which he had neither. Unlike this guy, we had a really had a good time as we always do leaving already planning for the next trip. Looks like Larto will be rising soon for the spring rise. Good luck to all and please respond on the Larto water management situation. SLIP

Thanks for the report!

I agree 100% with some high water. That is the reason the Basin has nice quality sacs. Now as far as filling my ice chest with under size fish , not happening with this coonass. All we have been catching is dinky sacs. I just feel for the folks when their camps go under water.

Looks like the water at Larto has stopped rising. Now just hopes it falls some by next weekend and put the grandkids on some bream or run a trot line for some cats.

I was there over the weekend, didn't pick up one fish on rod & reel not even a bite.... Picked up three catfish on yo yo's. Cold front had them shut down. I don't expect the water to come down to much by this weekend. I could get about 50 yards into the woods in Open Mouth Bayou with my flat. Talked to few ole boys running lines and stated that they did well during the week catching catfish.

Thanks for the report. Was there also just cooked and watched the kids fish in the yard. I hope we can catch a few cats for the kids next weekend. Falling water is good for me always pick up a few.