River fishing and levels

Looking to do some fishing below the falls of the Ohio soon. Going to be fishing out of a boat there for the first time. Usually fish from the "bank" or wade out a little ways. What is a good range for the Upper and Lower gauge readings as well as the amount of dam running for good fishing and also "safe" boating?

Also, where do most of you guys put in when going there to fish? My partner is looking to put in at the New Albany ramp.

Thanks,

If and when we go I will post a report. Hopefully it will be a good one, lol.

the lower level needs to be around 14-16 ft, to be on the safe side for a fiberglass boat. If you have never put a boat on the falls you might want to take someone with you that has. There is a couple of hair pin turns that you have to make even though it looks like you can run up anywhere. if you get out of the channel you can kiss you lower unit goodbye. The best place to launch is off Harrison ave in Clarksville. its right there only have to motor your boat maybe 1/2 mile. up to the falls. LOL

Thanks Willie for the information. My partner has an aluminum boat that we will be using. However, we still don't want to tear off the lower unit, lol. What about the discharge? What is a good number for good conditions? I know it can get pretty rough out there when they are really letting it rip; but, at the same time, some current is very important.

Thanks.

hey TR I can show ya around. Been fishing the river for over 25 years,,,i could give ya alittle river 101...I fish it from 22ft down,,ya just got to know where to go

Doug

Would like to get in on some of that Fishing the Ohio River 101 class as well..... Thanks

hey i`ll take anybody and show them around. Just put gas in the boat and lets go. The river is dropping,temp is right. I need some meat for the freezer. So anytime you all want to just give me a hollor.

Doug
502-543-7787

Hey Doug, I talked to you on the phone a while back about one of your Javelins. Me and TR186 plan to call you maybe this weekend. Just got to get a few fires put out in Shelbyville.

Hey thats fine. I need a break.Been working my tail off on a big walleye Boat. So hey give me a call.

Doug

Doug - I'm off December 23rd through January 2nd, if you get a hankerin' to go and if things work out maybe we can hook up at the foot of Greenwood?

Hey Doug it's Jay I was on the island on 8/31/06 when we were tearing up the Hybrids that day ,I was the guy who kept asking to pull up your anchor so I could land that Striper LOL
That was the last day if you recall , the river was clear its been muddy ever since .It will try to clear up and then we get a bubble from Up North .
I have been fishing alot moslty in the Duck Pond due to high levels ;but I haven't caught my first sauger yet ????
Even using minnows ,Charlie caught a few in Oct in the ditch by the upper spillway .This cold snap may turn the sauger on .The lower is 21ft and falling here is a link to the McAlpine lower [url]http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lmk&gage=mlpk2&view=1,1,1,1,1,1[/url]

Hey JFW I remember ya. I think when me and the blind guy pulled up all 3 of you had fish on. I know you all wore them out! I figure your arm is just now getting feeling back in it. Mam that was a hell of a day! I was useing a interlocking snap that day. Now I`ve got 40lb plus cats on them and never had 1 to strighten out, well I got a hold of one of those BIG stripers and in that current it sure strightened it right out! And lost my 8.00 Husky Jerk...LOL Well I figure that when the water drops alittle more and the sauger crawl out from under the rocks they`ll get to hitting. The rivers been high for acouple of monthes now hasn`t it. I`ll be hitting the discharges and see if the stripers are in there which I think they would be. They get ahold of me 1 day and lets go...

Doug
502-543-7787

Hi ya Chub,,,that sounds good to me. I`ve sat on the river a number of times on Jan 1st. I`ll go at the drop of a hat. I need to get out and check things out anyway. So when ever we get lest a sunny day I`ll be willing to go. The cold don`t bother me too much....God love Gore-tex. Just give me a call.

Doug
502-543-7787