some thoughts about the east side

Never fished the east side, have no real intention to either.

but was wondering...

If i understand right, several years ago(5? 6?) they reduced the stocking numbers in Elk and Walnut and spread them over to east side.

Given the reports of lack of fish over there, I'm curious to hear from the long time east siders if the numbers increased all that much since they started dumping in more over there?

Thanks


..L.T.A.

If anything, I'd say the numbers of fish have declined greatly. Since 2003,
some creeks, I would guess almost 80%. 7 mile creek has very few fish,
if any right now. 4 mile has fish in one little area. 12 mile has fish in one area. Very few fish in 16 below Rt. 5.
 
I personally think that the dry weather the last few years has a lot to do with it. Some of the creeks are little more than trickles right now. An
even bigger factor though was the huge rains of 2004 that essentially destroyed several of the smaller creeks, especially 7 mile. 7 mile had small holes, holding areas, and runs, all the way from the mouth to Rt. 5, and two large pools.  These areas were all either washed away, or filled in.
The creek is now bare slate, from Rt. 5 to the mouth. I caught more fish in 2003-2004 at 7 mile than all years since, combined, probably 6 times more. The story was much the same at 4 mile.  At 16 mile, a water pipe that had been covered for years turned into a waterfall, and all the large rocks and gravel from Rt. 5 to the mouth got washed down to the mouth.
I don't know why this would cause fewer returns, but I know it has.
Perhaps the scent has changed, or the fish come in and then leave because they have no holding areas.
 
Anyway, that's the facts. Glad I had one year of great fishing, but I
had hoped to share some of these small creeks with my nephews and
grandkids. That will never happen, and I'm a little saddened by that.

The eastside streams offer fish , of course, in my opinion not as many as westside.There are not many holes and theres lots of fast water. Which means all the eastside streams can't hold many people and not as many fish. I think the fishing is definately better on the westside.

When you say fast water youre not joking. Ive fished holes on the east that are so fast 8 bb size shot couldnt get me to the bottom during low water! I also think that the hurricanes destroyed the east, someone should do something to open it back up. 16 mile used to be awesome, theres nada zip zilch in the way of good structure now.

ORIGINAL: deetz4352

 Here is a beauty i got after the rains came 2 weeks ago

that's a sweet fish, Deetz, ain't no doubt
But are you sure that one is from 2 weeks ago?
Maybe a typo?

are those evergreens behind you?


..L.T.A.

Remember when they used to clear out the mouth of 12 mile creek? That has not been done in quite a few  years. Sure could use dredged out. With the fresh snow and cold weather, the water will be green & have good flow. Lets hope that a few more fish come in from the lake.
 
Last week I could see a very large school of fish in the lake off 12 mile. Lots of fish in 4 mile but not enough room to support more than 6 people. Plus the east side of creek is private property.