I predict Old Dog will be eating soon at one of the church fish fry's  !  LOL.....
 
BTDT .......another slow motion project

Finally got out today after a week long sinus cold, nailed one smaller legal Eye....it's a tiny start! Nice day  .... fished with a short sleeve shirt too . Rich , I'll see you at the St. Anthony fresh fish fry Friday ! Invite BTDT too, his fish freezer is empty like ours ! God bless farmers and grocery stores !!!! 

I'll just have you know Mr. Captain Hook, I had some yummy fried fish for supper when I got home from Linesville last night.
 
I did hit the northern shores of Pymie yesterday and I would like to say, for those of yinz having had to use the launch at the marina allllll these years, you have my sympathy.  Good gosh, that ramp exceeds the "super sucks" qualifications by 10 fold.  What is the angle of that thing anyway, must be close to 89 1/2 degrees to the water.  Then, you gotta travel 300+ yds to get into water deeper then 18 inches which is strewn with prop busting remnants, of a forest.
 
After 15 minutes traveling at idle speed, I came upon what I thought must be the new marina but it turned out to be the spillway and, the Walleye were hitting.   I mean, all those boats in such a small area, how was I suppose to know?  Not wanting any part of that action I idled for another ten minutes til finding water deep enough to, de-activate the low water (3') alarm, allowing me to  set sail for the Tuttle shoreline hoping to find an area where I could break wind and find calmer water.
 
Except....  for the wind, (and launch ramp) it was a beautiful winters day out on the Pymie where I caught, but one slab Crappie, just slightly smaller then a barn door, that survived the ordeal of impaling hooks of a "Sonar", into it's lips.
 
Water temperature at the north end was 42- 45 degrees as compared to 37 degrees at the dam the day before.  I would have to assume, had the southwest gales of March not been blowing, water temps could be expected to be a bit warmer.
 
Mind you, I am not complaining about the north end, I'm merely stating the situation at hand in hopes of keeping newbies from heading to Linesville as I don't want my new found friends upset with me, for "spot burning".  However,  for those wishing to not heed my warning and venture forth, to the north end, in search of the elusive Walleye.  If and when things go 'bump in the water', I told you so!!!
 
Speaking of "spot burning",  Carini's off of RT 18 at Reynolds serves some mighty tasty, "All you can eat",  fish on Wednesdays! 
 
Tight lines and fish on!!

BTDT, you had probably the best fish dinner around at Carini's ! I've ate there for years and it's  # 1 as far as fish dinners (and other menu items )in my book. Cajun flavored works best for me. Never seen the onslaught you speak about up at the Spillway even though I've fished Pymatuning since the 70's. I'm going to venture up that way this year just because I have the time, and have heard the chaos stories over the years.  More curious than anything to see this Spring event. I'll have the old trusty camera packed up as usual. Put the snow shovels away it's on !  
 

As windy as it was, being midweek and given the time of day Captain, weren't but maybe 10 boats at the time and 10 people on the shoreline all fishing in 5 +/- feet of water,   But I says to myself; self this ain't for me so's, I botor moated to the Tuttle shoreline where I could break the wind!   
 
I'd have to say a trip to the Linesville Causeway would be worth the time the next couple of weekends.  Not to fish or "See the ducks walk on the fish" but, to see how the boats jockey for position along with watching the shore 'conga line'.  
 
No thanks, If I can't catch my fish (which is seldom) elsewhere, I guess I'll have to eat at Carini's which I need add, you will get plenty for your money including very good service.  Ain't their homemade bread they bake something?
 
As for the walleye catching at Linesville, I figured the entire area would be good, not just a 50 x 100 ft area, directly in front of and under the viaduct.  
 

I fished the spillway since fore time! Back in the 70's a handful of locals new about it and showed me. Last time  2007-2008 did well caught about 30 keepers each year. The fish where big actually to  big  I released several big females 26-29 inches. It's tough area to fish be because the locals never leave, their buddies or spouse will come and take their stringer,or take their spot that I've been waiting there for hours. I will hit it soon but out of a boat. Short window,better after a big rain over when they pull the nets.

old dog
btdt, swing over to the onion field.  we pounded eyes in there with crawler harnesses years ago in the spring.

Thank you Old dog I shall try that area hopefully, tomorrow and if not Saturday.  Shouldn't be long before the rest of the lake wakes up and I am hoping the docks will be going in at Manning.
 
Saw the docks are in at the camp ground but don't know if the public can use them before the grounds open for the summer or not.

Old Dog I'm a semi local,hate to say it but I made a board to stand level. You sort of feel like a West Virginia deer at the end of the day,walk with a limp one legs a bit longer.lol  Don't know how old you are but there was a hard nose warden back them,The Beaver,he kept the renegades in check.

Wow , great to hear all these old tales of the Spillway fishing. Like I say I've never been there to see the circus but I'm going to make at least one trip over to at least eyeball the action. I've fished in some serious combat zones in my time, mostly up on the NY creeks during the Fall runs. Maumee River ain't no joke either as far as big crowds. Problem is I can only take so much" ignorance" from others. I understand crowded fishing areas but you still have to have some respect for others and knowledge of what's right, and what's wrong. My temper is not the best in those tight conditions , so once you disrespect me and try to take advantage of the situation were going to have a serious problem. I've only had a few issues like that in my lifetime but they did get corrected quick. Nothing worse then going fishing to relax and have a good time and end up face to face arguing with some jerk that has no etiquette or respect for others !
 
BTDT, I have to agree with you. It seems the older I got the more I enjoy less crowds. Might not catch as many fish in those under crowded areas but you can't beat the elbow room !   
 
  

Just an FYI, the second phase of the marina reno is addressing the faults that BTDT mentioned.
After all the earthen docks are dug out the second phase will start first of June.  In addition to the new stone fishing pier, the entire area is being dredged.  Was way too shallow.  A few years back the pontoon boat owners had to take their boats out early for fear of not getting them out at all because the of the lack of water!
Also, even thought they are not enlarging the launch area or docks at the launch, they are changing the pitch of the ramp as well.
One last comment on the walleye fishing.  I've always had pretty decent success on the north end and in 50+ years of fishing Linesville, I've never fished the spillway, except in the middle of summer, when not a soul is around, and oh my the cats!!!