Ross Barnett Flood Water Damage
Just spent 4 days on the Rez, Hwy 43 Bridge - North. I've been paying attention the the changes to the Pearl River feeding the Rez over the last couple of years. The damage to the existing underwater structure from this last flood event was great. I've now lost over 75% of the submerged structure I fished. Secret spots the produced year in and year out. The large tree croppings that slid off the banks the last 2 years are broken and battered. I found a complete intact standing vertical tree in 30ft of water that was not there in May. Where it came from had to be quite a ways away as no apparent lost trees in the immediate area. Also for October 1st, other than a few catfish at 15-20ft and lots of bait the usual sonar screen of Crappie Arches were not to be seen. Did the fish flush into the main Lake Impoundment? I can't say. Even Welfare Hole was barren. A few fish off the 43 Bridge kept a half a dozen boats circling like Carrion Birds, all fishing the bridge piles, for a morsel of Crappie. High winds off the backside of Hurricane Ian also increased the difficulty in making a decent presentation to any Takers.
I left this morning with 12-15 good fish for 4 days of pursuit. The weather was fantastic except for the wind. We ate too much each nite at the restaurants, and 1-1/2 375ml of Apple Crown did a disappearing act. If anyone fishes the lower Rez and has input please note here.
