Meldahl Dam

[Bassky]

I will second that question... how did you not get runoff???

[shortkid]

Not sure.... when we got there around 9ish, there was one small boat actually on the wall about 1/2 way back and Ranger with 3 guys trolling around near the end. The guy in the Ranger told us something about an accident/incident with a barge and pontoon boat and that boats were being run off but I didn't catch/don't remember all the details. Another boat arrived shortly thereafter and drifted around too. When we went down to the first point, another boat came up on us and when we told him we had been fishing the wall, he seemed surprised but quickly headed up.

Interesting enough as well is that we did not see one barge all day. Maybe that had something to do with it. Again, not sure what the deal is.... I was there once last November and this was my first time back since.

[UK_Angus]

Not sure.... when we got there around 9ish, there was one small boat actually on the wall about 1/2 way back and Ranger with 3 guys trolling around near the end. The guy in the Ranger told us something about an accident/incident with a barge and pontoon boat and that boats were being run off but I didn't catch/don't remember all the details. Another boat arrived shortly thereafter and drifted around too. When we went down to the first point, another boat came up on us and when we told him we had been fishing the wall, he seemed surprised but quickly headed up.

Interesting enough as well is that we did not see one barge all day. Maybe that had something to do with it. Again, not sure what the deal is.... I was there once last November and this was my first time back since.

My understanding is that you can fish up to the bouy line on the KY side and you cannot enter the lock wall area on the OH side. I think last year boats were pushed beyond the arrival point but they have eased that restriction this year.

[snapper30]

Not sure.... when we got there around 9ish, there was one small boat actually on the wall about 1/2 way back and Ranger with 3 guys trolling around near the end. The guy in the Ranger told us something about an accident/incident with a barge and pontoon boat and that boats were being run off but I didn't catch/don't remember all the details. Another boat arrived shortly thereafter and drifted around too. When we went down to the first point, another boat came up on us and when we told him we had been fishing the wall, he seemed surprised but quickly headed up.

Interesting enough as well is that we did not see one barge all day. Maybe that had something to do with it. Again, not sure what the deal is.... I was there once last November and this was my first time back since.

Boats and barges/tow boats do not mix! If your fishing around a lock or really anywhere near towboat traffic, its always good to be standing by channel 13 or the lock channel so you can communicate with tows or just listen to whats going on. I am a tow boat pilot and I cant tell you how many close calls I have with pleasure/fishing boats on a given trip.
Most guys are complety clueless what manuvers we must do just to "make sure " that a close call doesnt happen. Some guys think there motors will always start or stay running to get out of the way but I guarante this is not always the case.

I rarely have any problems with commercial fisherman, they seem to understand the danger.

WHEN IN DOUBT ALWAYS PASS ASTERN
5 horn blast means DANGER.... im not sure i can avoid from running you over.

[shortkid]

Duly noted Snapper... I do my best to not put myself or others in harms way. Thanks for the tip!

[shortkid]

Went fishing below Meldahl again with my brother and a buddy.... more boats outside the lock, none on the wall. We didn't catch any and saw only a few being caught. So we headed over to drift the Kentucky bank.... we caught some white bass and drum.. but my buddy caught a 5 lb walleye up in the shallows!!! Water temps still in the low 50's.

[Bassky]

nice fish. I think the sauger fishing is still slow. When water temps get in mid 40s it gets good.
Bassky