by Capt. Dan Manyen

"Low Clear Water"

There are a few techniques that work well when the river is low and clear. This low water river condition seems to happen more often lately, with the water tables being what they are on the Great lakes.

With the deeper, darker holes being at a premium in these conditions, getting offerings away from the boat and covering more water pays off big time.

A technique called (Dragging) works well, but will cost you a few jig heads. Simply let your boat drift downstream with the current, usually on the outside bends of the river, while you let the combination jig head/twister tail/piece of crawler, bounce along the bottom at a 45 degree angle.

I use this technique a lot, but with a variation on the offering. A small (#6) 2 hook harness, with three (8 mill) green beads, with one 00 blade, orange or red. Tip this rig with a whole night crawler, and drag at a 60 degree. A single small #7 split shot is often added if the current seems to fast. You want it to tick along bottom fairly regular.

This last technique can pay big dividends when the small males aggressively start feeding after the spawn. And small males (2 to 4 pounds) make up 90% of what you'll catch on the Tittabawassee after the season re-opens.

The larger females can drop virtually all their (up to 10,000 eggs) in just a couple nights when the conditions get right, then hastily retreat back to the Bay in just a few days.

Casting # 5 and #7 shad raps or blade baits along the shoreline in likely looking spots as you drift, can at times be outstanding.

Trolling # 7 floating shad raps Silver/Black has also made me look like a genius on a few river charters. Finding a deeper slot or run that's long enough to use this technique is the only tough part on the Tittabawassee.

Although not for everybody, catching walleyes at night has a charm all its own. Both the Saginaw Bay and the Saginaw River has started to give up some of its (Dark) secrets the last few years.

Casting #14 Rapala Husky Jerks along the river shore lines and around bridge abutments from Saginaw to Bay City after the season re-opens, has proven to be worthwhile.

That, along with the night time trolling bite on the Bay itself, can really spell a great time for savvy anglers. I say savvy, because I highly suggest you know your equipment and it's limitations on the Bay at night.

Being able to navigate with your GPS in the Plotter mode and knowing exactly where the marina channel is and how to correctly fallow it (STRAIGHT) in, has become a must in these low water conditions.

The proper boat navigation lights, spot light and (on board) boat lights will be some of the necessary equipment needed. I've seen too many guys in 12 to 14 foot boats with absolutely no lights at all, virtually almost too late in the pitch dark. It's not funny when it happens, believe Me.

Your dealing with water temps still to cold and life threatening, to be taking an unexpected swim.

Slow trolling the monster #18 Rapala's along with an assortment of Husky's in every size has rewarded me in Spring's past. These body baits imitate perfectly the abundance of suckers, spot tailed chubs and smelt that arrive in the close to shore waters about the same time the post spawn walleyes are dropping back out of the rivers, looking for a large, quick energy meals.

Running short leads off of In-line planner boards with blinking red lights attached to their flags, is about as neat a trick as fishermen have devised in the last few years.

In conclusion, nothing teaches you how to be a better fisherman more than getting out and doing it. That is, if you learn from each trip out.

You may even want to consider a charter trip with one of the Bay area charter captains. All of us take pride in both teaching as well as having fun when out on the Bay. If on your own, absorb as much about every aspect of what you're doing and the variables you're dealing with as well as what the guys around you are doing on every trip.

Pay attention and "BE THE FISH" and you will be a better fisherman. Good luck and Tight Lines,

Capt: Dan Manyen, Walleye Express

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