Should I move our yearly trip up?

[swimjigboy]

Just thought I would throw this out there and see what ya'll think? Thinking about moving our trip up to Barkley. Normally Dad and I go down first week of May and try to time it right when the water is in the flowers and is rising in the bushes(just like everyone else tries to do). But this will be the 3rd year in arow that the water is up already which means flowers are dying and/or not growing at all, and the big swallow bite might happen early. Now last year we had a GREAT trip because that week the water had been up and dropped before we got there and rose while we were there, so it kept our fish there. But 2 years ago, early high water destoryed the may flowers/bush bite for us, they were in and out quicker mainly on lend in banks etc. So who thinks moving the trip up and watching weather etc. who be a better idea? Thinking about going north instead like Lake St. Clair sometime in May. Draggin the flowers, flippin bushes will be deeply missed! I look forward all year for my one chance to one of my favorite places on earth.
Help/ comments appreciated!!!

[offdtop]

I've seen flowers sporatically on Barkly this year, we may still get a good bloom????

[swimjigboy]

Just thought I would throw this out there and see what ya'll think? Thinking about moving our trip up to Barkley. Normally Dad and I go down first week of May and try to time it right when the water is in the flowers and is rising in the bushes(just like everyone else tries to do). But this will be the 3rd year in arow that the water is up already which means flowers are dying and/or not growing at all, and the big swallow bite might happen early. Now last year we had a GREAT trip because that week the water had been up and dropped before we got there and rose while we were there, so it kept our fish there. But 2 years ago, early high water destoryed the may flowers/bush bite for us, they were in and out quicker mainly on lend in banks etc. So who thinks moving the trip up and watching weather etc. who be a better idea? Thinking about going north instead like Lake St. Clair sometime in May. Draggin the flowers, flippin bushes will be deeply missed! I look forward all year for my one chance to one of my favorite places on earth.
Help/ comments appreciated!!!

Does any one have any feelings one way or the other, of where to go in May? Leave Barkley for smallies up north. Less pressure normally good #'s and quailty that time of year, but I would lose my flower/bush bite.

[floatman]

fished Barkley Wed- Fri last week, I could be wrong but I don't think the flowers are going to do much this year, I think it was cold weather longer and stopped the bloom, and when it got warm enough to bloom the water came up, a few flowers on the bank but they were not out on the flats like we would want, we like them too, and we just didn't see them, maybe someone that knows more on the flowers could help. JMO

Gary

[bigwormy]

man i have the same dilema as you. i do the same every year as well except last year went to the big G because the water was so high at barkley. im going down the first week of may again this year so hopefully it will be right! i have missed them flowers the last couple years!

[Dave Stewart]

Don't expect much for flowers this year...some around shallow brush but no deep flowers. Last year our spawn was spread out and we had a lot of late spawners because we had two floods during the spawn and water was pulled down twice and moved a lot of late prespawn back out, then they came in again....on a normal year you would be better off to come a little earlier to catch the peak of the spawn....the spawners will be there, flowers or not.

[swimjigboy]

Thanks for everyones input. The lake way great last year with the water rising 1st week of May. The big difference from 2 yrs ago was the was up in March so kill the flowers and by May the lake was back down and the fish were back out transitioning on the leadin backs moving back out. Last year the water rose again, didn't kill all the flowers and it was hammertime. I'm afraid this May bite would be like two yrs ago. slow tough, find what left in the shallows. Thinking on go on north this yr. Money is tight to gone and got to pick the best bang for your buck.
Thanks again for everyones comments!!! I'm going to miss it more than you know!