Not sure if this thought will help but fishing creeks that feed the main lakes in the winter if I run into the "gin clear" water that happens when it gets cold and no rain I have found you can forget catching fish. Usually that gin clear means really cold and I have not figured out how to catch fish in those conditions. Honestly I think it is more a matter of the fish aren't there (move out deeper). In a creek it is a little different ball game but there may be a parallel. You may aim at times when there is more color after a rain and your fishing may improve...
kc