underH2Oman
Contributor
Well after over 2 decades of visiting the Monarch and Barge this year has had some noticeable changes. Most likely caused by the dredging at the mouth of the river but you can be the judge.
Firstly there is a much larger sand dune protruding out into the river just under the Blue Water Bridge downstream side. It appeared to be almost 8-10ft high at one area tapering off as it went further into the current. The upstream end of the barge has much more sand covering it.
There was an abundance of sheepshead, large bass and few walleye spending time behind the sandbar where the current was minimal.
If drifting to the Monarch it remains on the sand side at the edge of where the current keeps the bottom clean and shows rocks embedded in the bottom. The return to shore that used to have a mild current heading downstream now has a mild current heading from shore toward the wreck. We could still swim against it but it was more work than in the past. with the little more work required to swim back to shore, save a little more air for the return. There appears to be more sand dunes just off the Monarch as well as just downstream as well.
The dive had an interesting end for me as a small fish caught my eye as I was nearing the exit. I had no camera but the color's were so vibrant I thought I was in the Caribbean. I have narrowed the identity down to a rainbow darter or an orange throat darter.
Here is a link to a facebook post with an image of the orange throat darter. https://www.facebook.com/2512211049...1221104913598/698294946872876/?type=1&theater
Firstly there is a much larger sand dune protruding out into the river just under the Blue Water Bridge downstream side. It appeared to be almost 8-10ft high at one area tapering off as it went further into the current. The upstream end of the barge has much more sand covering it.
There was an abundance of sheepshead, large bass and few walleye spending time behind the sandbar where the current was minimal.
If drifting to the Monarch it remains on the sand side at the edge of where the current keeps the bottom clean and shows rocks embedded in the bottom. The return to shore that used to have a mild current heading downstream now has a mild current heading from shore toward the wreck. We could still swim against it but it was more work than in the past. with the little more work required to swim back to shore, save a little more air for the return. There appears to be more sand dunes just off the Monarch as well as just downstream as well.
The dive had an interesting end for me as a small fish caught my eye as I was nearing the exit. I had no camera but the color's were so vibrant I thought I was in the Caribbean. I have narrowed the identity down to a rainbow darter or an orange throat darter.
Here is a link to a facebook post with an image of the orange throat darter. https://www.facebook.com/2512211049...1221104913598/698294946872876/?type=1&theater
