Popper - I remember those days at Paddock. That road didn’t seem so bad when it had that kind of fishing. I miss that place and it is too bad Condie might end up with a similar fate.
Just sent this to the Boise e-mail office. If like usual, no response expected.
I have some pictures of the decimation of Condie from the draining to almost dry condition as of 28 Aug if your interested. These pics. are include hundreds o dead bass at the pump outlet. Is there any chance of trying to recover what’s left of these trophy fish?
Fred/a concerned angler.
P.S; Ive posted these pics. on the BFT Forum if you want to view along with others and their comments.
Kudos to you Leaky for sending those photos. Dumb question - but are the 20" slot bass signs still up?!
I can see both sides, and I know it’s happened before - Newton had a big drain down some decade ago. I’m hopefull it won’t get hit by the same this year.
If they “need” the water, that’s one thing. I FULLY concur with my Utah brethren - that to let the fish just die is criminal, and very very sad. ESPECIALLY for a fishery that’s been managed for “trophy bass”. These guys convinced me to but into a Idaho out of state license. I still feel I have, and will - get use out of it. BUT those big ass bass were a big draw!
Plus there’s a buttload of panfish in there, or were. Probably good bird-food now!
It’s amazing how quickly conditions can change. I know we’re in a drought, but can’t HELP but think there’s some political politicking going on. And there COULD have been a chance to either stop the outflow, add more water, or salvage SOME fish. Even the slot signs - I can just be glad to have had a chance to land a 17incher, and watch it swim away. I think it’s fish number 228 in Leaky’s photo. Irony is - if/when I catch a 20 incher - THAT’s the one I’d want to put back. Hmmph
I talked to them today too, Dave was actually at Condie today checking it out. I told the guy I talked to that we’re probably too late and told him about the pics of piles of dead bass. He didn’t seem to give a crap. He said Dave would be in later in the afternoon, but work was so hectic that by the time I got away to make a quick call, they were closed for the day. I guess I’ll try tomorrow.
He didn’t seem to give a crap.
If you expected any different you must not have dealt with government employees much…[frown]
I haven’t but I’m learning [:/]
One word of advice with talking to any state official is to tape the conversation if it’s about something critical. My attorney neighbor give me that advise while dealing with an attorney for the State of Utah. You’d be surprised how handy a recording can be 
. Check current laws on this before doing as I haven’t had to do it for about 8 or 10 years.
about 2 weeks left in the water season.
Received this fro F&G:
Thank you for sending the pictures. They have been forwarded to the Fisheries Department.
idfginfo
I think what is upsetting… The fish and game has a slot limit. And, to let them die.. WOW.
Idaho
I don’t think it will come to anything like that. I’m pretty bummed about this whole mess, but I’m getting over it. I mostly just want to get his thoughts on what happened and ask him some questions about some other waters in the area.
..Cascade this winter?.
Idaho
Received this fro F&G:
Thank you for sending the pictures. They have been forwarded to the Fisheries Department.
idfginfo
Was there any more ever heard on Condie?
Last I heard they are going to do a fish survey in the spring. If they don’t like what they see they may transport some bass from Treasureton over to Condie. I hope they do, things couldn’t be looking too good after the massive die off and the pelican attack.
Condie is dead! it is a sad loss… there could be some survivors in there but not many after the birds had there way and the hundreds of dead ones that got sucked down the canal. last i talked with the F&G they said it was a loss this year they didn’t expect much to survive as it was worse then they thought it would have been.
What a shame. It has been one of my favorite places to fish in the past.
Any word on the shape of the other reservoirs around Preston?
Oneida is the only one I’ve had a chance to fish this year. We caught a few bass and a few Walleye but nothing too spectacular.
I posted a report on Weston,
http://www.bigfishtackle.com/…d;page=unread#unread
it seems to be doing pretty well. Still plenty of water for fish to survive the winter, and after the storms we’ve had, it’s probably up a bit more. Winder has lots of water, Treasureton is fine on water. Oneida is completely full. I haven’t had a chance to look at the others lately. Not sure how the bass fishing will be now that we’ve had cold and snow. I’m debating on whether to try it after it warms next week or just let it rest until spring.
The frustrating thing about Condie is that we saw it coming. I called the DWR several times trying to let them know that it was going to be drained, but they just kept telling me it would be fine. Well, it wasn’t. It was by far one of my favorites too. Lets just hope we keep getting rain and snow and we don’t get two years in a row of drought. We’ll lose even more fisheries if that happens.
Thank you. Good information for future fishing. I live just across Immigration pass from Preston. On the edge of Bear Lake Valley. I haven’t fished much this year but will try to catch up this winter on the ice.
You’re welcome. Weston is a bit further for you then, but it’s a fun little reservoir. Good luck on the ice this season.
I drove past Condie yesterday, and though it’s hard to say for sure from a few glances as I whizzed by on the highway, it looks to be filling up again. There appeared to be water back in the bay at the launch. I would say it’s nearing half full. Hopefully we get some snow this winter and they can transplant some fish over there in the spring.