THE NARROWS
Fishing the center section of the lake, commonly called the Narrows, can be a different world. If the runoff from both the Salt River and Tonto Creek is tumultuous, even this section can be stained. (It was last year.) But during times of normal runoff, the narrows often has the clearest water in the lake.

Here you can expect to find a combination of largemouth and smallmouth bass. Sometimes if the largemouth bass are not hitting, it's a good strategy to work the rocky areas near the dam for smallmouth. This is also a good area for those afoot.

In fact, when storms blow in and waves are crashing about, fishing from shore might be the safest. This new and larger Roosevelt is quickly developing a reputation as a place not to be on the water when blustery storms are blasting between the local mountain ranges. Be sure your bilge pump is working properly.

When it's windy, keeping your bass boat on the leeward side of the marina tire line can be a decent strategy. Bass can often be found hanging around such floating structure. The cove behind the marina is also a decent place to try. While quail hunting in the area last fall, I stopped there to wet a line and caught three bass in five casts from shore.

SALOME COVE
Salome Cove, just off the Tonto arm, is like a lake within a lake. A long, gooseneck-like channel leads to this secluded cove, then the cove opens up into a huge bowl that's rimmed with submerged mesquites and saguaros. There are times when I've experienced just a slight breeze rippling the surface in Salome Cove when the rest of the lake was topsy-turvy from high winds.

Last spring, a large group of us, including Arizona Cardinals football coach Dennis Green, fished the dense vegetation not long after it was flooded for the first time. Bass were so dispersed then that it was tough finding a bite. Nonetheless, it was still dramatic to be fishing a landscape that was so recently submerged.

This year, I have high hopes for my favorite Roosevelt cove. It is one of those picturesque places where you want to take your lunch break and just kind of kick back and fish slowly.

There have been times when Salome is just outside the stain line from the Salt River, and other times when it is also chocolate soup. Clear, stained or in between, it is worth your visit.