Water Conditions @ Clarks Hill or Russell

[jeffrovol]

Does anyone know the water conditions of either lake before we decide to drive 4 hours to fish? We have gotten washed out up here in northeast TN. Rivers and lakes are rolling mud. Thanks for any replies.

[Fisholishous]

My buddy sent me a pic from his dock in Murray Creek. Hill is 4 ft over full pond. Water was above/over his cat walk and right up to his power outlet! Looks like Russell is about 2.5 ft above full pond. We got lotsa water!! I know in Keowee area we got over 7 inches past few days (at least) per my gage. But my gage was full and overflowing some of that time, so I feel that's a low estimate actually. Lakes were built for food control. Definitely doing there jobs and saving lives right now.

[STUMP HUNTER]

Just came over the Seneca River on Hartwell, it is high but the water color looks good. I'm sure the back of the creeks are muddy. The Saluda River here in Piedmont is as high as I have seen it in a while and rolling muddy. Hope to hear some other water/lake reports over the weekend.

[gabowman]

Broad River is well out of it's banks which tells ya the upper end of Clark Hill will be rolling with alot of current now. My gut tells me you wont find ANY clearer water except for right against the back of Russell dam if youre interested in stripers anywhere on the upper end of the lake. I think you'll have to look below Little River to find clean enough water to fish. Maybe somebody from down that way will chime in to tell you what theyre seeing.

Russell.....there's always some clear water on Ruissell but I'd suspect the back of all the creeks will be muddy and trashy. The thing about Russell is you just never know when theyll bite. Most of the creeks in Russell are long so somewhere within the range of the creek you'll find water that is what you want to fish. Just depends if the fish will bite or not.

IMO....it's a crap shoot right now. If you decide to come I'd recommend you bring downline rods AND longlining rods to fish minnows AND jigs. And good luck to ya.


BTW, I saw ALOT of boats coming thru town this evening. People ARE fishing with these warm temps and pretty sunshine. I just dont know what theyre catching.

[REELDAWG]

As of Saturday below soap creek the water color isn't bad. The problem is all the floating debri that's washed off the banks. Some large grass mats floating also. Think those broke loose from the backs of creeks. Almost impossible to pull planer boards. Too much trash. Very frustrating. I'm sure any type of trolling would be hard to do. Can't keep lines clean. I for one am tired of trashy water. Fished Murray last month. This month clarkshill. Both lakes full of mud and trash.