We also like to fish for catfish...any advice where to start at the state park? Also what kind of set ups are best there?

Guys just an experience to think about. A few years ago I was fishing Brady Creek up from Brady Lake (cant do that anymore due to an 8 foot fence, its not technically legal but would take money and time to prove it) and the creek was literally a trickle no more than 3-5 feet wide and a few inches deep. During the second week of March a shower put the creek on a rise one night and the next day during the rise and thick dark muddy water I caught whites about every third cast on a small rattle trap with white grab on the back hook. No grub no fish, discovered by total accident. Now that I have made a short story long those fish were biting very well in very muddy water complete with debrie floating down the creek. It looked just like the pic above on a miniature scale.

Do agree in general a few days later to clear up is better, but still go when you can get there.

I see quite an array of set-ups when fishing in Bend. Here's my 2 cents:

I use a light-action spinning reel and a 6'6" light-action Ugly Stick.

I use small 1/16th ounce maribou or buck-tail jigs - usually with a weighted bobber suspended above. The weighted bobber does two things: Keeps your jig from hanging on the bottom and gives you longer casting distance ability. If you want the jig to run deeper, slow reel. If you want it shallow, reel faster.

I use 8 pound mono due to all the rocks. You WILL hang-up in Bend quite often or you're not doing it right - LOL. When in the shallows, your line scrapes the rocks constantly, eventually you lose line integrity. I use 6 pound test if I'm fishing in deeper water, but that's usually rare while fishing in Bend.

If you prefer minnow fishing, try to sein your own from the river. They will always out-perform store bought shiners. Remember, many White Bass will move close to the shore at night. Take this opportunity to free-line minnows along the banks and you'll tear 'em up! No bobber - no weight.

Good luck to everyone. Hope we have a run!!

Agreed.

You will still catch whites when the water is murky/muddy. Don't let that stop you.

Jugs baited with goldfish or small perch. Set them up river past the park boundary, but before the first falls (if you have a boat).

If no boat, try catching some blues in that deep cut by that white/green wall on the Smith side of the river.

Where is that???

It's the only man-made structure on the bank. It's down from some of those cabins across the river from the park. It's not visible when the water is high.

Are you talking about the opposite side of the ramp in the park, with the long, long trail?

As you drive into the park, go all the way to your left where people park to walk down to the shallows and primitive campsites. There's a bathroom and small parking area. Right there, if you walk down to the bank and look across to the other side of the river, you should see the wall. If memory serves, old cement stairs lead down to it from some of those old trailers/cabins.

There's a pretty deep cut right there that holds blues.

Thanks

What bait and set up is best?

Called the State park at Bend and talked to the ranger there. She said no whites were being caught yet due to the water conditions which were living up to the name of the river - Colorado (red colored). She said it was like muddy chocolate milk, probably won't clear up for another week or so. The water last week was just slightly into the campgrounds and she said it washed numerous trees down stream (crappie??). The number to reach the Ranger station is 325-628-3240.

Well is sounds like there is/was enough water for them to make it upstream past the hump

Sure hope so we will leave on March 21st after lunch and stay until Sunday morning. Will anyone be there during that time frame?

Did anyone fish there this weekend?