"If I wait on the wind, I'll never get to fish"




There are certain things you shouldn’t do in the wind and sometimes that includes fishing.

A friend of mine told me today that he’s been waiting for the wind to lighten up so he could go catfishing in his boat, he then said, “If I wait on the wind, I’ll never get to fish”. Springtime in Texas is always windy and often the winds bring storms with them. Depending on the body of water you’re fishing and the direction of the wind, you could be in for a fight or in for the day. Wind can be a help or a hindrance, it will make you dance on the bow of your boat and give you a rough wet ride back to the dock.

Like anyone that has spent much time on the water, I have a zillion wind stories, stories of surviving it and stories of using it to find feeding fish.

Windy days are hard on your equipment, your boat, and your ability to maintain a good attitude. Frustrating to say the least, a backlash caused by an unexpected gust of wind, a swim in the lake caused from bumping a stump, or a dead trolling motor battery from running it full blast all morning can bring out a case of frustration and bad attitude.

My home lake was created with the dam on the south end of the impoundment, a south wind makes the north end hard to fish and a north wind makes the whole lake hard to fish. Whether it’s from north, south, east, or west the wind never seems to blow in the right direction. When the weather forecast is for a 10-mph wind from the north it’s probably at least 15-17 by the time it gets to the south, so knowing how to navigate safely to an out of the wind cove is usually your best bet. Of course, you’ll have a lot of company when you get there.

Safety should be your foremost concern for you and your passengers. Learning how tac in the wind, trusting your boat in rough waters, making sure your boat is in tip top running condition and requiring that everyone wear a PFD when the big motor is running is just the start. Leave an itinerary with someone on shore, even if it’s a fishing buddy, “We’re going to Caney Creek”, could easily save your life if you are unable to return or communicate after an incident.

Know your lake hazard’s, 80 % of the trees were left in place when Lake Fork was built and they’re still under the water line. The adage “Out of sight Out of mind” gets many people in big trouble when navigating unfamiliar waters. So, when in doubt, slow down and be cautious.

Be aware of the weather. How many times have I gone out on a calm morning only to be faced with a crushing wind to get back? I’ve watched thunderstorms pass me on one side only to blow around and on top of me 10 minutes later. Lightening is your worst enemy on the water, don’t hesitate to beach your boat and seek shelter.  Many empty boat houses or boat slips have sheltered me during storms. 




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Lake Fork Current Weather Alerts

There are no active watches, warnings or advisories.

 

Lake Fork Weather Forecast

Sunday

Sunny

Hi: 79

Sunday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 50

Monday

Mostly Sunny

Hi: 75

Monday Night

Chance Thunderstorms

Lo: 53

Tuesday

Mostly Cloudy

Hi: 68

Tuesday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 47

Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Hi: 70

Wednesday Night

Mostly Cloudy

Lo: 55


Lake Fork Water Level (last 30 days)


Water Level on 3/27: 401.49 (-1.51)



Lake Fork

Fishing Report from TPWD (Mar. 22)

GOOD. Water Stained; 55-62 degrees; 1.64 feet below pool. The cold front dropped the water temperature down 10 degrees in some areas slowing the bass bite. Use a slow bait presentation with Texas rigs, baby brush hogs or beaver type baits on the outside edge of the grass. Darker colored baits like V & M chopsticks in Texas smoke have been fair in 3-6 feet. Look for the bite to improve by the weekend as the water temperature warms and bass return to beds. Frogs and baits worked on top of the grass and in the pockets of grass should be great by the weekend. Report by Marc Mitchell, Lake Fork Pro. Cooler weather is affecting the movement of the black bass, as the water cools the females are not committing to the beds, but as the water warms activity will increase. Search warmer clearer water in the backs of coves and creeks for active fish. Crappie are beginning to move towards the banks, try small bead heads fished slowly 3-4 feet. Carp and gar are spawning in shallow water. Report by Guide Alex Guthrie, Fly Fish Fork Guide Service. The crappie fishing on Lake Fork is getting really hot. Seeing great numbers and lots of big fish each day. The fish are making huge moves shallow this week and will for the next month. Areas in 2-13 feet are finally beginning to see more fish that are spawning. The 14-32 feet staging areas are also still loaded with fish and reloading daily now. Seeing lots of fish roaming in open water but the best luck is still coming on fish on timber or brush. Small hand tied jigs in chartreuse or orange are getting crushed right now, and you can still catch fish well on soft plastics and minnows. Report by Jacky Wiggins, Jacky Wiggins’ Guide Service. The crappie are biting in the main creek channels about halfway back in the creek. With the cooler weather most of the crappie are laying on the bottom. Once the sun comes out fish suspend up in the water column around 15 feet. Success with Snacky lures FS200 matched with the eye hole jig or crappie

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