HIWASSEE TROUT REPORT (08-20-06)

[JSV]

After the picnic and hearing all the fishing stories on Saturday, I decided to go to the Hiwassee Sunday morning and attempt to catch a few Trout. My Dad and I headed out around 5 am in the heavy fog. We got to The Big Ben Section around 6:20 and started out the morning throwing Black Rooster Tails as the water was up a little (TVA was doing an early morning pulse). We found the fishing to be tough. My Dad worked several deep holes as he worked his way to ward the far side yet only picked up a couple small browns, One Small Mouth and he let one decent keeping Rainbow get loose as he was about to get it in. I swapped over from the Rooster Tail early after I realized it was going to be slow. I had recently bought some of those artificial Worms and also Maggots. I thought they would be the ticket and get those finicky fish to bite. I was wrong although I did manage about 25 fish however the majority of them were those pesky " Horney Heads". I caught 6 small Browns and two stocked Rainbows. We headed back home as the water was beginning to liven up and the rafters were heading our way. Not much of a fishing report but it was great spending time on the Hiwassee with my Dad.
JSV

 

[Bprice]

Any report involving fishing with your dad is special, no doubt! All this trout talk is giving me the itch!

 

[ranman]

walking around in that cold mountain water felt great yesterday!Nice change from sweating myself to death on the deck of my boat! I bet the Hiwassee was REALLY cold that close to the powerehouse!

 

[JSV]

ranman - 8/21/2006 3:22 PM

walking around in that cold mountain water felt great yesterday!Nice change from sweating myself to death on the deck of my boat! I bet the Hiwassee was REALLY cold that close to the powerehouse!

Actually the water was not bad at all. During the pulse, it was a little chilly but not nothing like what I have felt it. I don't know exactly what has changed, but I remember years ago the water would turn you numb. I remember a few trips last year when my legs were burning and numb when I got out of the river. This year??? The water just doesn't seem to be near as cold. I know they get their water (when generating) from about the middle of the Appalachian. I don't know if years ago it came from lower or what but it doesn't appear to be as cold . I have fished often while the generators are running (which it is quite a bit colder when 2 generators are running) but still not as cold as what I think it use to be.
JSV

 

[fisherpal2k]

The water is not as cold cause they aren't pulling the Hiwassee lake at the same time. If they pull both at the same time then it will get some really cold water. I think they are holding Hiwassee lake up some this time. If you are ever there when they turn it loose and then turn Apalachia loose you can't hardly get your boat on the trailer in that lake!. We was there one day when that happened and I couldn't get out of the throttle long enough to tie the boat to the trailer. I finally had my wife to get in the truck and start pulling out while I stayed in the boat and hammered it. Got it trimmed up just in time as I cleared the concrete. Apalachia lake is a great place to fish but don't get caught up there by yourself. I have been fogged in in the middle of the day when that cold water out of Hiwassee hits the lower lake and cools it off.
Thanks for the report and good job!