No need for secrets now. LOL

What does slower flow typically mean for the fishing there?

I'm not sure it changes the fishing much. It's just easier to fish and I suspect less fish are actually coming through the gates. Using a very light fly I have to drift it further to get it down to the correct depth.

One thing that the higher flows do is add more oxygen to the water. The higher oxygen will draw bait fish which in turn draws the predator fish. When they closed the dam in September last year it was still very hot. The drastic reduction in the water resulted in a massive fish kill. When they closed the dam in February the water was much cooler and the fish survived.

During the fish kill we witnessed that the majority of the hybrids, whites and bluegill died. There was also a portion of the buffalo, gaspergou and LMB that died. Surprisingly, we didn't see a single dead crappie.

Anyone headed out this afternoon?

Maybe. I know I'm headed over tomorrow

I can't make the dam tonight. Maybe for a short period tomorrow morning.

I just noticed that the temperature in Somerville is 91 degrees. Add in the warm nights and the water temperature should be rising fairly quickly. It's getting close to that time to start looking for those LMB on the beds.

I caught a bunch of crawdads in ditches today, so I've got plenty of those. Hopefully the fish are biting something. I'm taking artificials, too, but not a 35 lb bag of stuff like I did last time. One small clear box, lol. Gonna take Gulp nightcrawlers, a strawberry dough bait I made that stays on the hook good, strawberry sweet corn, and crawdad punch bait just in case I can't get something going on crawdads.

I sure would like to go this afternoon, but it's not looking like it at this point. I'm over due for a Yegua trip.

I made it out to Cedar this morning/afternoon (Thurs) and fished downstream of the bridge. No whites. I did catch around 12 LMB, 1 keeper crappie and a handful of sunfish. It was my first time fishing the Sommerville creeks - was surprised that with all the deep holes downstream that I caught most of my fish in only 3 spots. Seems like there should be more fish spread out with all that water. Probably best to fish with a kayak to hit those hard-to-get to places from the bank with lots of structure.

Of the 3 other fishermen I talked to today, only 1 person caught 1 white. Heard that it was slow at Irwin bridge today with a few caught here and there this morning.

Anybody else have better luck today with the whites?

We didn't catch many at Irwin Bridge Tuesday. We ended up with 5 total between my wife and I. We caught several undersized whites. Not a good sign. We saw 6 guys with full stringers coming from Newman bottom area. They said they walked 1 hr downstream. Too far for me. Unless they open Newman Bottom, This may be my last time here for the season. I guess I'll have to try Reimer's or the steps in Granger next.

Tight lines all and good luck!

Stopped by the dam this morning and fished from 7 to 7:30. I only caught one small white bass. I didn't see anyone else catching fish either. It was getting crowded by the time I left.

Great news! Post from the Nails Creek State Park Facebook Page
Lake Somerville Nails Creek State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife
35 mins
Attention everyone! We have some great news!!!! Newman's Bottom is now accessible to the public by walking in. The gate to the parking area is CLOSED so people will have to park their vehicles and walk in. PLEASE do not park your vehicle blocking any of the gates that are located at the entrance at Newman's Bottom. This area has to stay open. There will be signs at Newman's Bottom that state, "No parking past this point." You will need to come to the Nails Creek Headquarters to pay your entrance fees prior to going down to Newman's Bottom. Vehicles that are parked down there will be required to have a permit on their vehicle to enter that area. Please call the park office with any questions or clarification that you may need. 979-289-2392.

it is almost a mile from where you will be able to park to the trailway bridge @ the Yegua in Newmans.
google directions to the parking area fill in your zip code to get driving instructions.

just remember... that is one long walk back with a limit of fish...