RE: Downstream of Canonsburg Lake
2011/04/20 09:38:10
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They do stock below before opening day. You're right about it being confusing after that. They just stocked again on the 18th and I'm sure that they stocked below the dam this time too.
Anyway, pay attention to the days where there have been non stop rain (like this week for instance) and get some minnows or minnow flys and you are in business. Thursday is supposed to be rain free and that pool at the base of the dam should be in great shape. With the fish they stocked there the past two weeks, and the fish that flow over the dam during heavy rain, that pool should be loaded with trout.
The absolute best fishing day I ever had (30+ years) as far as numbers of fish was a day late in the year (May-June?) after they had long stopped stocking. It had rained like hell for 3 days and the lake above was like chocolate milk...you could see that the dam had about 1 1/2 feet of water flowing over those few days. Under the dam tho was perfect. the water had come down to a trickle and I waded out to the island and cast towards the bottom of the spillway.
If I had 50 minnows, I caught about 75 trout. Every cast, the bobber would bounce off of the dam, land in the pool below, the stick would pop up and go straight down. I would release the fish, leave the now dead minnow on the hook and catch another one first cast. Me and another guy caught and released over 100 trout that day...big blue heron walking on the dam catching fish 60 feet above our heads. It was so freaking cool I can't describe it.
If you plan your trips after big rainstorms, you can use that strategy all summer long. The fish must come over the dam into that big pool and just stay there. Super clear super oxegenated water I guess.
Hope that helps. Sorry for the book but I thought you'd like the info...happy feeshin!