Chick Grass

[Generator]

Merc225 is correct TVA only controls grass around docks and public access areas. This same thing happened at Kentucky lake about three years ago. It also happened in the early 90’s. The grass died due to high current flow and muddy water. Grass needs sun to grow and high water flow in winter/spring will pull the new grass loose from the bottom. Like Kentucky lake it will take a few years to come back if we don’t have another muddy spring.

 

[Tn bullet]

Y’all can keep believing that and we can continue to disagree

 

[bronzeback45]

I agree with Hayden and Justin, TVA is not in the business of killing weeds. The other factor that may have played a role, is where some communities payed to spray in slough's and or coves, combined the with above normal rains, last spring and summer could have contributed to some of the die off as well. Causing some the herbicides being wash out into the river and down stream. I noticed that 2 years ago when we had a better grass year before the drought in fall and early winter.

 

[benchwarmer]

I think Trump colluded with Russia to kill all the grass cause there is that much evidence that TVA killed it all. Nature is a funny thing and I don't think my degree reaches far enough to say that it was sprayed to be killed out. But we shoulds surely know when it grows really nice this year and all the conspiracy people get back on the forum and say they were wrong about the grass disappearing last year. Just like the fish do.. deal with it and adapt. 42 plus pound CBA bag and we gripe cause the grass was not like the carpet at Augusta National! Come on guys and gals.

 

[Tn bullet]

42 lb bags won’t continue nor will the 30 lbs if the fish do t have the habitat

 

[Tn bullet]

When it’s a nice thick grass all over lower end this year I will definitely admit I was wrong and Justin was right! Will all of you that blame it on the weather do the same when there is no grass

 

[churly]

I don't care whether I'm right or wrong, I just would like to see the grass and the fish flourish. I had multiple meeting and lunches and speak to TVA biologist every year and they have not waivered from the 10year plan they established (which calls for herbicide application only in localized areas like access areas and water intakes). I had a biologist tell me last year that TVA would go bankrupt before they could afford to treat the whole lake, that's why I don't think its all on them. everybody is focused on the 43lb. bag look at how half the field did not weigh in....

 

[Chick68]

I agree with Churly this lake is feast or famine for the average fisherman, For me it has steadily gone down hill for the last 4 years with the lack of grass and fishing pressure.........

 

[Springmillvol]

Hoping for a nice grass crop this year. I’m with chick68, confidence goes up for an old hacker like me with the mats.

 

[Generator]

The grass won’t come back in just one year it may take a few years to gain a good foot hold again. Mother Nature controls that with spring weather. Kentucky lake has been without grass for a number of years now and it may not even come back this year. High muddy water won’t allow it.

 

[beetlespin]

The combination of less grass and way too many out of town fishermen is making the lake fish very tough

 

[jb366]

My comment about the weather difference was due to the ones that argued last year that it was solely the weather causing the lack of grass below the bridge. Perfectly acceptable with the hiwassee spilling chocolate milk every time we get a solid rain.
What made me question it was the fact that I fished a shallow area that was loaded with grass during the April cba, and the next weekend it was all dead and slimy. I've slept since then so I don't remember exactly what the weather did but green and lush to dead as can be in 7 days is a bit quick even if we did get high muddy water during the week.
Contaminants from factories up the hiwassee is a very very real possibility. Combine that with muddy water, sprinkle in some herbicide from dock areas being spread around by current and there's your culprit.

I agree that the lake is getting tougher to fish. The big bags bring in alot of out of state fisherman which adds to the pressure but the main issue is there are just an insane amount of tournaments on the lake. Sure alot of them are small dog fights but when there's a couple every single day plus a few on the weekend along with the bigger ones that is a ton of fish riding in wells being relocated. Guntersville never lost the grass but look at what the tournament pressure did to it.

 

[silvertalon]

Bass don't need vegetation to thrive and survive. It's just a nice convenience for them to use as an oxygen rich cover to hide and feed. Look at the White River chain- Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals. No vegetation at all. It's one of the best river fisheries in the nation. The fish will thrive and survive here just fine with minimal vegetation. Yes, good vegetation was part of the 'perfect bass storm' 5-6 years ago here, so there's no doubt it helps the fishery flourish and grow but it's the fishing pressure that is hurting the Chick. Especially during the spawn. I'd like to see if electro-shocking stats show a steady decline in LM population over the past few years. If there are issues, TWRA needs to step up. There are implementations that can be used such as, lottery permits for out of stater's- 3 fish limits, slot limits etc. IMO.

 

[pinsandfins]

Completely agree with silvertalon as far as regs go. Honestly I’d love to see more fisheries like Sam Rayburn with the fish weighed and released immediately and you only bring your biggest fish to weigh in. Like major fishing league. With technology these days that is completely possible. Sorry to get off subject.

 

[Gone fishin]

I frog fished for two months around Richland creek so something was going on below hiwassee.

 

[Dirtroadhound]

Some new grass in Possum creek.