Chickamauga Dam Area 8-28

[DHaun]

Took the kids out tubing yesterday and fished for a about a half-hour in between runs. We saw these fisherman stranded on the side of the river blowing a horn and waving their arms - I bet 20 boats passed them by before we got close enough to see they needed help. After we towed them back to the ramp we caught a smallmouth and a largemouth slow trolling a blue matzuo fantastic minnow behind the boat.

The water level was down below the Dam and I noticed a new rock hazard. Other than the normally visible rockpile below the flood gates there are also some rocks just below the surface just downstream of the railroad bridge around the center of the structure. I always try to go very slow in that area but I noticed other boats and jet skis moving through at a much faster speed...I guess they are not aware of the shallow rocky areas.

 

[polo-dog]

Wow, I didn't know about the obstruction down from the RR bridge, I'll have to check it out next time I'm down there.

 

[JerDog]

Ya, under the RR bridge, big rocks can get you for sure. Was the rock pile below the dam visible? I have been fishing there and drifted into them...that is how I found about them and luckly did not drive over them.

 

[JerDog]

DHaun,

Did you get some pole holders installed in the boat?

 

[polo-dog]

DHaun or JerDog, next time you are down there figure out which span the rocks are under and let us know where they are if you would. I see folks buzz between those pilings all the time and so I figured that it was safe but I've only been through the far right spans looking downstream, near the barge tie ups.

 

[DHaun]

The rocks were just downstream from one of the center pilings right in the middle of the RR bridge and the water level was WAY down... I am assuming due to the anticipated rainfall from Katrina. I found them below the RR bridge when I barely bumped them & got a tiny bit of a scratch on my skeg but nothing to worry about. I am glad I was moving slow...

Everything looks deeper near the channel where the barges tie up. The normal rockpile just below the flood gate was very exposed with the water level so low.

I have not installed rod holders yet but I have this PVC pipe and milk crate thing that I made. It holds my anchor, rope, tools, and 4 rods. So far it's been working just fine but I have to move it to the stern if I want to troll 2 rods. I am still not sure where I would drill to place permanent rod-holders just yet.

 

[rsimms]

RE: Rocks below dam

There is actually a rock wall (or rock pile) that extends straight downstream. It begins where everyone always sees the rocks poking out of water (unless they've got all four generators screamin'). Then the rock pile extends straight downstream to beneath the railroad bridge. The only really hazardous areas are the upstream end, and the downstream end (again, depending upon generation). During periods of normal generation the wall is typically 4 or 5 feet deep. I'm usually moving gently when I go across it in the center, but I've never touched a rock. However the downstream end (in-between the railroad trestles) will definitely take a lower unit off during periods of low generation. emoBang
However, the lower tip of the rocks are a great place to find a smallmouth hanging.

 

[polo-dog]

I would expect that if there is a well defined end to the rock pile that a really nice eddie would be formed at the downcurrent end. I can picture a couple of big smallies and a couple of rockfish just waiting there for me now. I will have to try it sometime when I'm down there.