Finally put the boat in the water this year suprisingly there were several boats at the Newport launch. Couldn't fish any of the sloughs (water still too low) so I fished the deeper weedlines surrounding them, no luck. I headed slowly upriver (be careful there are alot of very shallow section less than three feet that come up fast) and fished a couple of my main body spots for pike in the shallows and smallmouth along rocky shores. I must be more lethargic from the winter than the fish because I missed several hooksets. water temp on main river between 42 and 44, slower shallower areas 45. I did manage to bring in a nice 4lb 2oz smallmouth at the end of the day (sorry no pics) so it was a great opening day for me.

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