Good day on the Caney.
 

Headed out for the Caney this morning. Stopped by Big Rock Deli to see what the fishing report was...was told I probably would be catching Brooks. Put the kayak in at the dam and headed up to the waterfall on the left in the pond. I have never been there and failed to catch Gills and Crappie...but today nothing. My heart sank. I thought "Oh man today is not going to be good". Paddled over to the river where the generator output is. Started catching Brookies. Now these trout would have made a good snack for that trout they just caught out on the White River.....but I was as usual using 2# test line and 2# test fluorocarbon leader with an UL 6' 6" rod. Caught over 100 of these today. All of them were probably same year class...about 10 to 11 inches. Only took a few pics as they were all same size and no need to stress out too many fish. It was hot today. I caught about 20 at location in the pic. I then moved down river and would stop at a riffle as it dumped into a 2 to 3 foot pool of water...dropped my drag chain and started catching another 15 or 20 and kept moving down river. Kayak...drag chain.....performed flawlessly. I would just sit there.....facing downstream and catch a fish on almost every cast..and in total comfort...LOL. Went down to first bluff on right in deep water hoping to get some big Bows and or Browns.....but no doing. Stopped back in at Big Rock to get something to eat and cool off.....and give fishing report. Joel is selling those Coosas like they are hotcakes...LOL. All the fish were small but it was a great day.


Regards

Good day on Caney
 

Sounds like fun. Where did you take out? Were there shallow stretches where you had to drag the yak? Any current?

Mind telling what lures or bait you were using? Thanks!

I put in at the dam and went down to the first bluff on the right. I then paddled back up. I never had to get out anywhere. I have fished the Caney enough to kind of know where it is deep enough to float....plus you could see very well today...the water was as gin clear as I have ever seen it. The Coosa....or any other kayak I guess......is great for that. I saw a couple of canoes flip today as they hit a shoal and the canoe got sideways. Those folks were same age as me...early 60's and I know that was no fun for them...the cold water. There is some current as you get to the handicap fishing pier that the Boy Scouts made. Plus there is current once you get past the first big bend at Lancaster. As most on the forum know my lure of choice is the Trout Magnet. It is a 1/64 ounce jig. On the Caney the Magnet in Bison color...black and gold....has always produced for me...but black is good also. I was told today that once you get around the bend and head toward Happy Hollow the fishing gets much better. I was really surprised to not catch any Bows up there on that stretch of river today. Hope that helps you out.


regards

I plan on fishing the Caney for the first time this year on Monday. Thank you for the report. I hope to put my guest on some trout so your report will help.

Nice job Alpha.

I was wondering when you were going to make it up there. When we were up last it was all browns/brooks. Don't know where all the bows are hiding. Although a 23" bow was caught and released this week up there so they are definitely hiding.

Speaking of bows... that second pic of yours is near one of my favorite "holes" to catch good bows up that way. ;)

I did see one good size Brown down past the handicap pier. Saw tons of small Brookies. Still can't get over not getting a Gill or even a hit over at the water fall...that is just unusual. My good fishing spots at other locations are not doing so well right now so will probably be back up there soon.

Regards

Thanks, Alphahawk. I'm new to this yak fishing thing and have a lot to
learn. In your age bracket -maybe I'll see you out there sometime.

I'm not having any luck with bows this year. Ive only caught one. Browns and brooks have been all ive caught. I had a good looking 14" brown today. But as long as I'm catching I'm happy.

Took the trout magnet for the first time down to the caney and messed with it for a bit to kill sometime before throwing the jerkbaits for browns.

Caught several brooks, bluegill, crappie and a whitebass. Man catching those brooks was almost too easy! HA! I just had it on my ultralight with 4lb test. was surprised how far i could cast the trout magnet by itself!

Yeah its a great trout lure. I started out using it with 4# test but about 4 years ago went to 2# and have stayed there. Thinking about trying some 1# test NanoFil...LOL.

Regards

Yeah I like fishing from a kayak.....but even though I have fished out of it for 60 days out of the last 70 I have a whole lot to learn also. I am just trying to get comfortable with the boat and how it will handle in different situations. Do hope to see you out on the water sometime.


Regards

Looks like you had a good time Alpha! I move back to Cookeville in two months to finish up school, can't wait to fish there every weekend again!

No Bows being stocked
 

It's been a while since I've been on here. I've been fishing out west a lot this year but I have kept up with our fisheries. Rumor has it (Very reliable source) that the TWRA isn't stocking Rainbows this year due to a SNAFU at the hatchery. I don't recall the specifics but we should see better Browns over the next few years as a result. Watch out for those TARP Brookies too.

I have only been on the Caney twice this year and the fish numbers have been great each time.