It has been different to say the least but it's getting better quick. Try real early before the sun comes up and your luck will change;)

Used to fish smallies in Sawyer all the time. Sawyer was my smallmouth lake. Then American came into it own, and that's where I now go. But back when I did go to Sawyer, during the dog days of summer I always left the shoreline and fished the outer edge of weed beds that had a distinct edge between weeds and fairly smooth bottoms. Usually that was in about 16 feet of water. In Sawyer's clear water, those sharp edged areas are easily seen. What worked for me was drop shotting or using a Carolina rig with a floating tube which kept it out of the bottom slime. I floated the tube using foam ear protection you can buy almost anywhere. Though I had tough days too, there were times when I had 8 to 12 smallie days fishing those outside edges. Hope that helps.

It's not as clear as it once was. Now there is suspending 'sediment' all thru the lake, with some clear spots here and there, now and then. I use to be able to see the bottom clearly in 20 foot of water. Yes the outside edges use to be good, and still can be/are. The fish have changed from what they did 15 years ago, 10 years ago, 5 years ago. They keep changing around the lake. Now they're changing somemore, back and forth. This morning it was slow, and picking up, but at that time I had to go home at 5:45am so didn't get into the big fish bite this time, but I could see it happening as I was fishing a known big fish spot and area that I was catching fish in/at/around this morning.

Thanks for the come back. Like I said, its been a while since I've fished there. Obviously like many other lakes, water quality has gone down hill. I blame most of that on increased use of fertilizers and chemicals put on lake side lawns, which feed algae. The same with country lakes and adjacent farms. Silver and Harts lake come to mind. Once moderately clear lakes, now by mid summer they look like split pea soup. But what can ya do. Best of luck