Helms Landing Ramp

[fcm]

Hello,

Planning a trip down the weekend of 10/27 and wondered if the river is high enough for boats around Helms.

I have a small 25hp aluminum john boat- will I be on the rocks all day?

Thanks!

[tracker35]

I'm kinda in the same boat you are

also looking for info on the water level at helms

[fcm]

We did not end up going this weekend, so I'm afraid don't have any info for you.

I'm wondering if the rain last week made any difference?

[fcm]

Fished the river this past weeked (11/30-12/2). Water levels at the dam and Helms are not high enough to get powered boats in of any kind. Drift boats and wading are about the only options you have. We caught fish on dry flies downstream and casting gold spoons and shad-raps around the dam. Very wadable- we crossed the river a couple times and never got over waist high.

Went down to Burkesville and there's more water there. We got the boats in and headed upriver, but were stopped at the first bar about a mile or so up from the Burkesville ramp. Good fishing between there and town though-trolling and casting in 8-10ft of water. Caught and released several browns over 20" Sat afternoon.

We talked to some guides down there and were told that river levels would be this low for the next 5-7 years! Is this true? If so, I need to invest in a good drift boat...

HTH

[birdstrike]

We talked to some guides down there and were told that river levels would be this low for the next 5-7 years! Is this true? If so, I need to invest in a good drift boat...

HTH

I don't know how this can be true. The river was low this summer due to the lack of rain, not the drawdown. The amount of water coming out of the lake is directly related to the amont of water going in, i.e. rain. So unless these guides can predict the future, I'd say it's just talk.