Why is it STILL so hard to keep Caney trout?

[jad2t]

I don't know about the rest of you but since I'm back in Cookeville I'm back to fishing the Caney on a regular basis and I'm catching primarily brown trout. It makes for a fun night but at the same time sort of aggravating that I have to toss them all back due to the 24" limit. I know some will want to crucify me for saying this but I enjoy eating trout. Everytime I go to the Caney Fork I have my stringer and a cooler with me in hopes of taking a few home. They are delicious and probably the healthiest fish to eat that can be caught in Tennessee. I think it's time for the TWRA to back off a bit. It gets harder and harder to keep a trout out of that river but I'm seeing more and more trout in my recent experiences. I understand the brown trout population was hurt and that's why the regulations were put in place but they are clearly coming back and quite impressively as I've seen.

I fish at night and have not seen a single TWRA officer there in the evening so the rules could easily be broken. However, I'd never do such a thing. Sure, I think the rules are overbearing but I feel that as an ethical fisherman and a sportsman breaking the rules would make me no better than the immigrants who fill up a cooler with undersized fish of all species that they caught using a casting net. Which brings me to my next point. Why is it that I have called TWRA several times about that issue when I see it, yet they never show up to do anything about it. Meanwhile, every year they make it more and more difficult for an ethical angler like myself to enjoy some fresh caught trout? Am I wrong in saying that my trout stamp is becoming a waste of 18 dollars? Not that I care about 18 bucks, I'm just wondering why I'm paying the same price every year to be allowed to keep fewer and fewer trout?

The past two trips to the Caney I've totalled almost 20 trout, only one of which was not a brown. They're back, they're all over, and it's time to lift the regulations a bit. Not saying it needs to go back to the old rules of keeping 7 fish, any size and any species, but it needs to be a little more friendly to those of us who like to eat trout.

Thoughts?

[white95v6]

the TWRA is not the who put the current regs into action.

the fishermen did. there was a large poll conducted by the twra. and the fishermen choose the current regs on the caney. we would like to see the caney as a trophy river one day. thats why i voted for the current regs. heck i voted for a 27'' limit for those browns.

also i have no problem catching trout i can take home. and from what i seen when i fish there others don't ether. they are not browns. but brooks and rainbows.

you need to try a different approach to catching fish. me and a buddy last trip caught like 30-40 keeper brook trout. one keeper rainbow(only rainbow though).

not sure if its the current regs on the rainbows or what but i sure have seen a drop in the amount of rainbows in the river. i also heard somehere about a hatchery problem and the rainbow stockings would be hurt. but i am not sure if thats real or not. or it could be dam repairs? i know the tva says its not.

[jaystaler88]

I think we have these rules and regulations in place to keep people like you from keeping, eating, and thus removing healthy, trophy fish genetics from that particular population.

If you eating trout is your thing, put on some powerbait, corn, rooster tail, or even a BH pheasant tail and catch all the brookies and small browns you wish. You'll catch more, get to keep more, and won't really be harming anything. They taste better, too.

It's just my opinion, and you can do whatever you like, but it seems to me that if the fishery was ready to support huge numbers of 2 foot trout being harvested, TWRA would step up and adjust the regulations.

[jad2t]

I think we have these rules and regulations in place to keep people like you from keeping, eating, and thus removing healthy, trophy fish genetics from that particular population.



People like me? What, I'm a bad guy now for wanting to eat trout?

and catch all the brookies and small browns you wish. You'll catch more, get to keep more, and won't really be harming anything. They taste better, too.

We can't keep small browns, that's my complaint. And lately I've been catching more small browns than brookies or rainbows. The small browns are all over the place

[j19bill]

The times I've fished at night I caught mostly browns. But during the day I catch mostly brooks or bows. If you want to keep some try fishing during the day. The time you go can make all the difference in what you catch.

I have no problem with people keeping and eating fish as long as its within regulations.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

[jad2t]

Well I've been doing early evening and staying until just after dark, until it gets too creepy for me to want to be out there alone. Doing that I've caught plenty of trout and have quite a good time catching them one after the other on UL gear but they're almost all browns.

white95v6 - There have been issues with rainbows from the hatchery from what I hear. The hot, dry summer made it difficult for rainbows at the hatchery and even more so when they are released into the river. I've caught very few rainbows as of lately and I hear it's been that way for the past few months. The brookies are getting bigger and that's nice to see. Trophy brown trout are available during the night, I've done it a few times. I still think it's unfair to make the limit 24". Maybe bring it down to a PLR of 14-20 inches and none above 20" can be kept. Similar to the regs for rainbows and brookies except that with those species, one fish can be kept over 20". I think that's fair compromise that makes everyone happy.

[Reel Tune]

http://www1.pgcps.org/uploadedImages/Region_1_Schools/Elementary/Valley_View/smiley_with_popcorn(2).gif

[white95v6]

I still think it's unfair to make the limit 24". Maybe bring it down to a PLR of 14-20 inches and none above 20" can be kept. Similar to the regs for rainbows and brookies except that with those species, one fish can be kept over 20". I think that's fair compromise that makes everyone happy.

did you vote in the poll? just wondering.

soo you are saying no browns over 14'' period. man that would be worse in most ppls eyes.

like posted go during the day catch all the brookies you can stand. and maybe some small bows.

[Alphahawk]

I figured this would cause a stir. As far as I am concerned if a fish is legal to keep it is your fish to do with as you please. Personally I don't like trout....but if I did I would keep some. Those regulations are intended to make the Caney a trophy Brown stream....and it is working. It stirred up a lot of locals when they changed the regs. There is a man up there who takes a couple of those big Browns out every week...legal ones. I couldn't keep one of those but that is his business. All I can say is get used to the reg...it is not going to change anytime soon.



Regards

[Travis C.]

The fish hatchery had an issue with water quality over winter. It put a dent in the stocker rainbow population for more than just the Caney this year. It's happend in the past and it wasn't water quality but that was what they said this year. In the past it was a bad batch of food I believe.

bd, he may remember what it was.

Caney's regs are so that the browns are managed for a trophy fishery and the others left for quality or keeping. That won't likely change. It took too long to finally get it to that point. In reality the next step for them would probably be closed fishing areas during spawn but since they can't show signs of reproduction that probably won't happen or a Delayed Harvest.

I don't really believe in the "trophy gene" in these fish since they are all raised from concrete raceways unlike the Soho or other east TN waters. However, the big ones will be really wary once they get that size.

Most all my night trips result in browns due mainly to their habits of feeding but then some rainbows do show up and I don't think I have ever caught a brook at night though. It could just be when you are going that is giving you mainly browns or at the very least where your fishing. During day trips I have easily caught more than the 5 fish brooks/bows under 14in for the daily creel. Night not so much but I am not fishing for those then either.

[MNfisher]

What size browns are you catching? I am surprised you are catching mostly browns!

[Fish Whisperer]

It's unfortunate that some people act like the Caney trout are pets instead of a sustainable fishery...

[jad2t]

did you vote in the poll? just wondering.

soo you are saying no browns over 14'' period. man that would be worse in most ppls eyes.

like posted go during the day catch all the brookies you can stand. and maybe some small bows.

Oh yea, that would be a 14" limit wouldn't it? I didn't realize I was saying that. Still, I think that's a fair compromise. That leaves the larger ones to become trophies but still allows smaller browns to be eaten if someone should desire to do so. It's true that most people who eat trout will agree on smaller ones tasting better anyway.

[jad2t]

What size browns are you catching? I am surprised you are catching mostly browns!

They've all been in the 8-12" range, about half of them were recently stocked. I can tell by the fins being worn down. I'd toss those stockers back anyway, I'd rather eat trout that have lived there for a while and eaten what they're supposed to eat rather than the pellets fed to them at the hatchery. That results in a healthier meal.

I haven't tried for any of the larger ones recently so I've just been using smaller gear

[Mnfishingbum]

I find it ironic that you're catching all brown trout and they are the only ones protected. This is not a sustainable fishery and this demonstrates this. Our license fees support this completely.

Personally I enjoy catching large fish. I find the Twra had a great compromise here: 2 species for those wanting meat on the table and 1 for trophy fishermen like me. I also support with $135 sportsmens license and trout unlimited license plate. I personally do not like the taste of trout from the caney now a walleye is a different story. This is win win. Take away these regs and my money and many others go away which means no more fishery

[Fish Whisperer]

By "trophy fishermen" are you talking about the guys that catch huge fish and have em mounted and never eat any if the meat?

[Mike Anderson]

How much fish does $18 buy you at Kroger??

[jad2t]

How much fish does $18 buy you at Kroger?? I'd say anyone could get their money's worth pretty easily and if not it's nobody's fault but their own... It's a Trout Stamp not a food stamp.

That's not the point. Besides, you can't find wild caught trout at Kroger. Only farm raised. What is it about trout that makes them so holy to some people? What's the difference if I take home a few small browns or they get eaten by a striper? The difference is that I came home last night with no trout in my cooler but you can bet with 100% certainty that several (more like several dozen) small brownies got demolished by stripers last night. They still get restocked by the hundreds and plenty of those will grow to the 20+ inch range. People are so sensitive about these fish and that's what influenced TWRA to keep these ridiculous regs on brown trout. Sure, they're beautiful fish and the Caney is a beautiful river, but I still believe that since the browns are evidently coming back strong, we should be able to keep a few.

[Mnfishingbum]

Personally I just catch and release these. I just like catching big fish....

[tkwalker]

How much fish does $18 buy you at Kroger??

Hi Mike ...You are still one of the most devoted Fisherman and Guides on the Water who loves this sport ... Thanks for your input ... Can you make the Gathering Oct 6th ... Love to have you ... <'TK>< :)

[Mike Anderson]

Well then eat a Striper, it's better meat and you help out the fishery. Win win.


TK, after spending my lifetime fishing I've lost my fire for the sport lately. It's just not what it used to be anywhere I go. This area is getting too overcrowded, to the point it's more aggravation then enjoyment. Fishing within hearing distance of another human is not something I enjoy. Lately I've taken up weight lifting, road biking, and the most recent thing motocross riding dirt bikes. Guess after devoting a lifetime to something I'm finally realizing all that I missed out on... Then again,,, this weekend I'm going to look at getting back into another fast glass lake boat...

I'll try to make the gathering.

[jad2t]

Well then eat a Striper it's better meat and you help out the fishery. Win win.

I'd eat one every once in a while if I could get some time to go after them. Being at the top of the food chain, they have a much higher level of contaminants than the trout do so I wouldn't eat many. Again, the reason I want to eat trout is because of the health benefits.

The 18 dollar comment is just silly because as you said, it's a trout stamp, not a food stamp. Buying a trout stamp doesn't mean I'm entitled to 18 dollars worth of trout a year.

To be honest, I've never caught a 24"+ brown but if I did, I'd release it. Biggest so far was 22". If I caught a rainbow or a brookie 20" or more, I'd release that one too even though I am allowed to keep one. I like catching big fish and I'd like them to be plentiful in the Caney. 10-12" browns are all over the place right now so again I ask, what is the difference if I take them home or a striper eats them?

[Fish Whisperer]

I remember going to the Caney with my wife's cousin and he'd keep his first seven fish thinking that the TWRA didn't want people catching and releasing
stocked trout... this mentality probably led to the restrictions that we have now. I never kept more than my wife and I could eat that night.. I'm not a huge fan of trout, but when I'd go, I would keep 2 bows for the green egg.

[browntrout]

One interesting thought is the comparison of the White and the Caney. Plenty of trout (rainbow) are kept on the White and it consistently produces good numbers and good size. Now I fully realize that the White is 3X the fishery of the Caney. However they have balanced out keeping rainbow trout to eat and trophy browns for the guys after big fish. Granted the rainbow kill at the hatchery this year has really cut back the rainbow numbers that are being caught. Would be interested to see if there could be a happy balance like on the White. Just a thought.

Roy

[Alphahawk]

http://www1.pgcps.org/uploadedimages/region_1_schools/elementary/valley_view/smiley_with_popcorn(2).gif

x2

[Mike Anderson]

Your talking about these Trout as if they are wild. These are all "farm raised" Trout. I fail to seen any health benefit to eating them over farm raised supermarket fish.

Honestly though,,I dont care if eat them all. I'm so sick of all the arguing, bickering, fussing, and fighting that river has caused the last few years that it really wouldn't hurt my feelings if they blew the Dam up and turned Caney back into a wild river. For what it has become I could care less about it or the fish in it. Eat em all. The polarizing effect that the internet creates has just about killed this great sport. Glad I got in early. Sad for my children...

[Mnfishingbum]

No one will ever be happy....

[browntrout]

Your talking about these Trout as if they are wild. These are all "farm raised" Trout. I fail to seen any health benefit to eating them over farm raised supermarket fish.

Honestly though,,I dont care if eat them all. I'm so sick of all the arguing, bickering, fussing, and fighting that river has caused the last few years that it really wouldn't hurt my feelings if they blew the Dam up and turned Caney back into a wild river. For what it has become I could care less about it or the fish in it. Eat em all. The polarizing effect that the internet creates has just about killed this great sport. Glad I got in early. Sad for my children...


Everyone should take up crappie fishing!!! No one cares how many of them you keep!!!

[Mnfishingbum]

And they taste better!!!!

[tkwalker]

Well then eat a Striper, it's better meat and you help out the fishery. Win win.


TK, after spending my lifetime fishing I've lost my fire for the sport lately. It's just not what it used to be anywhere I go. This area is getting too overcrowded, to the point it's more aggravation then enjoyment. Fishing within hearing distance of another human is not something I enjoy. Lately I've taken up weight lifting, road biking, and the most recent thing motocross riding dirt bikes. Guess after devoting a lifetime to something I'm finally realizing all that I missed out on... Then again,,, this weekend I'm going to look at getting back into another fast glass lake boat...

I'll try to make the gathering.

I know my friend ... That is why I quit Tourney Bass Fishing in the 70/80's (and now Striper Fishing)... ... Had to change my Sport in the 80's... Drag racing was not the answer, Nor Golf ... had to go back fishing in the 90's ... But had to leave the Masses, Jet Skies and Houseboats ... Stripers on the River was the Answer 20 years ago ... Nobody from Carthage to Rome ... But it has all changed ..

I think you and I have spent a few hours in a boat together .... I have seen a lot of things change over the past two decades in our Sport ... I guess that is why I quit Guiding plus 67 years of physically wearing out a body ... That started in Viet Nam, Dirt Bike Racing, 232 trips up the Smoke Stacks at the TVA Gallatin Steam Plant , Knee replacement and two Stints later ... ... But You know what ... I'm still going and I'm 6 feet this side and vertical ... And feel good !!! And enjoy my new Hobby ... Old outboards ...

Plus sold the Guide boat and have a Walleye boat now For the wife and I ... !!

Hope you can make it Oct 6th ... I will make a special Post for you and Mike Dial and hope Rick McFerrin could make it ...

I Think MidTNKayakAngler nailed it on his popcorn post ... sameoh, sameoh ...old stuff we have seen for years ... ego verses the law, verses the purist, verses the everyday fisherman ... and no one is looking for middle ground ?? <'TK>< :)

[Fish Whisperer]

This argument has popped up on this forum a few times and not always about trout in the Caney River.... Personally, I think it's good for us, and the sport we love.. If we agreed on everything posted on here it would be kinda boring. With that said, I hope to meet a lot of you guys at the gathering..

[jad2t]

Your talking about these Trout as if they are wild. These are all "farm raised" Trout. I fail to seen any health benefit to eating them over farm raised supermarket fish.



I release the ones that I can tell were recently stocked. Once they've lived in the wild for a while and been eating like they are supposed to eat rather than those chemically concocted pellets, they are healthier. As far as you claiming there are no differences in health benefits between farm raised and wild caught, that's absolutely incorrect. I can provide data if you'd like but it's not necessary. This isn't about what is and isn't healthy, this is about my right to take home a few small browns if I choose to do so. Why won't you answer my question? What is the difference if I eat them or a striper eats them? You know it happens. One striper eats more 10" trout in a year than I would, that's for sure.

[creeksmallie]

I will be there as long as there is popcorn.
Mike

[Mnfishingbum]

Jad2t I think you miss the point. This is a shared fishery. I enjoy catching large brown trout and large numbers of them. I make investments via license fees to build that on the Caney because of these regs on brown trout. That investment seems to be growing which could mean there is some hope it will be back to 2007 levels....Stripers, otters, birds, and other trout will eat them but I hope some make it over 20 inches...

Others wish their license fees to be used to supply harvestable food source. This appears from your fishing report to be declining (possible over harvest with hatchery problems?). As a result now you want access to a fishery others are investing in that shows some promise of being successful (Gosh you could make this an analogy to much of what is happening in America's political landscape).

Current regs are not ideal for anyone but they are a compromise so we can share this resource.

Honestly I have not fished this since 2010. Still buy my licenses just trying to avoid further frustration/ dissappoinent.

[tkwalker]

Jad2t I think you miss the point. This is a shared fishery. I enjoy catching large brown trout and large numbers of them. I make investments via license fees to build that on the Caney because of these regs on brown trout. That investment seems to be growing which could mean there is some hope it will be back to 2007 levels....Stripers, otters, birds, and other trout will eat them but I hope some make it over 20 inches...

Others wish their license fees to be used to supply harvestable food source. This appears from your fishing report to be declining (possible over harvest with hatchery problems?). As a result now you want access to a fishery others are investing in that shows some promise of being successful (Gosh you could make this an analogy to much of what is happening in America's political landscape).

Current regs are not ideal for anyone but they are a compromise so we can share this resource.

Honestly I have not fished this since 2010. Still buy my licenses just trying to avoid further frustration/ dissappoinent.

MNFishingbum .... Well Stated !! <'TK>< :)

[Mike Anderson]

I release the ones that I can tell were recently stocked. Once they've lived in the wild for a while and been eating like they are supposed to eat rather than those chemically concocted pellets, they are healthier. As far as you claiming there are no differences in health benefits between farm raised and wild caught, that's absolutely incorrect. I can provide data if you'd like but it's not necessary. This isn't about what is and isn't healthy, this is about my right to take home a few small browns if I choose to do so. Why won't you answer my question? What is the difference if I eat them or a striper eats them? You know it happens. One striper eats more 10" trout in a year than I would, that's for sure.

I'm not sure what answer your looking for from me? I'm not a fishery biologist, I work in engineering. I pay a license fee so that people who are well trained and have spent a lifetime studying fishery biology can make the decisions regarding our fisheries. I don't always agree with them but for the most part I accept what they do is based more on well planed and funded studies then my observations on the water as an angler.

I think Mnfishingbum laid it out quite nicely. This is a shared fishery. A large group of "stakeholders" (license holders) got together and came up with a plan to protect one of the three species of Trout on ONE river in mid TN with a trophy length limit in hopes of creating a trophy fishery. If the other two species have all been fished out and taken home by others then I suggest you start to write TWRA letters requesting more fish or to change the limits. Your opinion counts just as much as any. You could also visit some of the other tailwaters where the limit isn't as strict.


Pretty soon the Walleye will be showing up perhaps you might want to target them. I hear they are quite the table fare.

[jad2t]

Pretty soon the Walleye will be showing up perhaps you might want to target them. I hear they are quite the table fare.

I'd love to get some this year. I've never caught one and know nothing about walleye fishing. Maybe some of you could give me some tips for walleye fishing in the Caney. If I'm able to, I'll eat those and leave the trout alone. Everyone is happy.

[Mike Anderson]

I'd love to get some this year. I've never caught one and know nothing about walleye fishing. Maybe some of you could give me some tips for walleye fishing in the Caney. If I'm able to, I'll eat those and leave the trout alone. Everyone is happy.

All of them I've caught (I'm a fly fisherman) have come on Chartreuse colored flies fished very slow and deep. I've caught alot of Sauger below Cordell Hull slow trolling flies deep. We were even out fishing folks using minnow tipped jigs one day while using this technique. BD will remember that trip.

[ojibwa]

Those big browns taste so good though.

[jad2t]

All of them I've caught (I'm a fly fisherman) have come on Chartreuse colored flies fished very slow and deep. I've caught alot of Sauger below Cordell Hull slow trolling flies deep. We were even out fishing folks using minnow tipped jigs one day while using this technique. BD will remember that trip.

I can't make it all the way to Cordell Hull, I know they can be caught in the Caney and I flyfish a lot as well. I may give this a shot as Fall rolls in and the walleye do too.

[Travis C.]

If you just wanted to stock some up for the table, the Obey is only about 40 miles north from Cookeville. You can keep 7 there in any combo any size (I believe that hasn't changed). It would be about the same mileage to here as Cordell Hull though if you could swing it.

That river is way under utilized and there is good fish in it too. You could fish the Caney for sport then make the run up to the Obey for stocking up at least until the rainbows are straightened out numbers wise.

[jad2t]

If you just wanted to stock some up for the table, the Obey is only about 40 miles north from Cookeville. You can keep 7 there in any combo any size (I believe that hasn't changed). It would be about the same mileage to here as Cordell Hull though if you could swing it.

That river is way under utilized and there is good fish in it too. You could fish the Caney for sport then make the run up to the Obey for stocking up at least until the rainbows are straightened out numbers wise.

Really? Wow sounds like a plan. I didn't mean to start a war here but I like to eat fish and I feel no shame in doing so. That's a long drive to the Obey though so I'd have to do my research before making the trip down there and wasting all that gas. Thanks for the tip!

[Travis C.]

Really? Wow sounds like a plan. I didn't mean to start a war here but I like to eat fish and I feel no shame in doing so. That's a long drive to the Obey though so I'd have to do my research before making the trip down there and wasting all that gas. Thanks for the tip!

On Low water you can wade from the Dam to Moody's ramp after that it gets fewer wading areas as the mid-lower river is deep. The tailwater is only 7 miles long and 1.5 miles up by the Dam is wading friendly.

It gets stocked weekly 52 weeks a year. Has browns, rainbows and brooks.

The back pocket place up there for those interested in eating trout is Hatchery Creek. Its hardly ever affected by high water and fishing is very very simple in it. Don't expected to have a difficult time in the creek because its setup that way. It's about as close to going to Kroger for stocker rainbows as you can get. Fish the main river and if you don't get you seven stop in the creek finish out the limit then head home.

The majority of fish caught either in Hatchery Creek or main Obey will be stockers but there are the big bows, browns and brooks around. Down at the rope hole 5-10lb browns are caught every year.

[agelesssone]

Jimmy, if you've never had walleye (or sauger), you are in for a treat when you finally get one/some. I don't like to eat trout as I don't care for the texture of the meat but walleye! If it's legal size, it's going home with me!

To me and my wife, it is the best eating fish in the lake/river. We used to buy it in Germany, paying $18.00 a pound and we'd have it almost every week. Love it.

I'll contact you this winter and we'll get out for a trip to a walleye spot that TK told me about in an earlier post.

[jad2t]

Jimmy, if you've never had walleye (or sauger), you are in for a treat when you finally get one/some. I don't like to eat trout as I don't care for the texture of the meat but walleye! If it's legal size, it's going home with me!

To me and my wife, it is the best eating fish in the lake/river. We used to buy it in Germany, paying $18.00 a pound and we'd have it almost every week. Love it.

I'll contact you this winter and we'll get out for a trip to a walleye spot that TK told me about in an earlier post.

Count me in! I remember you saying you like walleye fishing and I hear they're excellent to eat. I won't be under gunned for those like I was for our striper attempts haha

[Mnfishingbum]

Being from MN walleye is the fish of choice I have been told to kill smallies, largemouth, northerns, etc on site by serious walleye fishermen. Never understood that thought process. They are very good eating and we used to troll rapalas for them. Most of the time at night (very similar to big brown tactics).

I also believe that people are so passionate about the caney not because we feel trout are sacred but we experienced how good this river could be and the large trout it can produce......similar debates occur on waterfowl, deer, upland birds, heck even walleyes (this debate is bad but is calm compared to lake Millacs walleye fishing debates). The caney was very special in 2006-2008

[MNfisher]

Haha! Mnfishingbum, you are not joking about the Mille Lacs walleye debates! Oh boy! Netting, can't catch any eaters, etc., it never ends!

[Alphahawk]

Being from MN walleye is the fish of choice I have been told to kill smallies, largemouth, northerns, etc on site by serious walleye fishermen. Never understood that thought process. They are very good eating and we used to troll rapalas for them. Most of the time at night (very similar to big brown tactics).

I also believe that people are so passionate about the caney not because we feel trout are sacred but we experienced how good this river could be and the large trout it can produce......similar debates occur on waterfowl, deer, upland birds, heck even walleyes (this debate is bad but is calm compared to lake Millacs walleye fishing debates). The caney was very special in 2006-2008

This happens all over. Below Wilson...Wheeler....Pickwick...you have folks that despise Stripers. They will tell you they have eaten all the Sauger...eaten all the Crappie. I have many tell me about how much better the fishing was before the Stripers were introduced. Now I am hearing this as I walk up the rocks with a stringer of 30 Slabs and my buddy has a nice limit of Sauger....and I am not talking about just one good day of fishing but many many days of great fishing. I just ask them that are talking all that stuff "How much better do you want it"......LOL.


Regards

[flyfish]

I'm a recent transplant to TN and the Caney was the most hyped river I heard about. I was so excited to fish the river. Well, you guys can have it. I'm with the others here who don't want to stand shoulder to shoulder with other fishermen. And let's not even talk about the canoe hatch. Want to make the Caney a better fishery ( or at least more enjoyable)? Get rid of the the canoe services. Coming from KY, the Cumberland below Wolf Creek was my river, and I still utilize it monthly because I feel it's a better fishery and experience.

As for the original topic of keeping trout, go for it. I'm a staunch fly fisherman, but I don't understand why people hold the trout to such a snooty standard. It's a fish. BASS did the same thing with the largemouth in the 70s and 80s. Yes, having a trophy fishery is nice, and with the proper regs it will be sustainable. We the sportsmen voted that we want a trophy fishery, so the biologists set regs to give us what we asked for.

[Alphahawk]

Well....we cant get rid of the canoe outfitters.....no one owns the river. We have a great Small Mouth stream here in Tennessee....the Buffalo River. The Caney looks deserted of canoes on a Saturday compared to what is launched on the Buffalo. It is a 100 mile drive for me to get to the Caney...but I go....there is nothing closer. I am blessed because I fish it through the week and don't have to contend with the crowds. It is what it is. If one in Middle TN wants to trout fish within a reasonable drive that is it. I have fished the Cumberland below Wolf Creek...it is nice. I guess if one lived north of Nashville the drive is not so bad to it. Believe it or not there are some creeks in Middle TN that could support trout all year long....but due to all of the land being privately held you would not be able to fish them. Forty-Eight Creek...a little stretch of Indian Creek and Cane Creek near Hohenwald. I have caught small trout out of Forty Eight Creek a couple of times. When I tried to find out how they got there I was told that maybe over 40 years ago TWRA put some in.....does that mean they are reproducing in there..I don't have a clue. But the Caney is all we have really...so I just have to make the best of it.


Regards

[Travis C.]

Coming from KY, the Cumberland below Wolf Creek was my river, and I still utilize it monthly because I feel it's a better fishery and experience.

How has that tailwater bounced back from the Dam repair? Always had an interest in fishing it but I am not buying an out of state pass then driving passed then Caney and the Obey to fish a river about the same as those. It's a haul for me and about the same as heading to the Clinch.

We the sportsmen voted that we want a trophy fishery, so the biologists set regs to give us what we asked for.

"We" is a pretty broad statement. A lot of people were in favor of it but not all sportsmen. There were several license holders who were against the new regs.

[Travis C.]

I think a problem that aids in making the "canoe hatch" worse than it is has been the construction on the Dam. Not throwing the ramp congestion in with that statement though. The outfitters need to practice better ethics on that front.

IF repair on the Dam never happend and we continued from 2007-2008's upward trend along will current regs there wouuld be no water temp problem on the lower end or bunching of fishermen on the upper end. The trout would be spread throughout more evenly and in 28 miles you can find places to fish. The canoe's typically only use the top 5 miles or so to Happy.

Granted people in canoes and fishermen could be nicer or more forgiving on a daily basis anyway but that is up to the individual. Nobody wants canoe after canoe across their fishing lane just as much as someone out to enjoy the river wants to dodge people standing in it.

But back to the topic of keeping trout...

That is what they were put in there for. If you follow the current regs, there will be plenty of sizes of fish for all to enjoy including the top end trophies. Your average low water weekender angler isn't going to just happen on and catch those really big fish. They will be there for those willing to hunt them.

[jad2t]

I've spoken with the Wildlife Fisheries group here at Tennessee Tech. They do shock treatments frequently in Center Hill and in the Caney, mostly in the Caney. They confirmed my suspicion that the brown trout are coming back in huge numbers. They also stated that in the past year or so they are seeing a significantly larger, and growing, number of 20+ inch browns.

Simple biology here folks. If the Caney Fork can hold 'x' number of brown trout due to the characteristics of it's ecosystem such as available food, shelter, water temperature, etc. then if that number 'x' is significantly exceeded, nature has it's way of evening things out. Brown trout will die off due to starvation, or predators eating them, or disease, etc. You trout worshippers have to be realistic here. The brown trout are back, the 20+" brown trout are back, and it's time to let the "meat hunters" as you refer to us, keep a few smaller ones if we wish. They're not your pets, they're a food source. This is very simple evolutionary science. Humans eat fish, we are supposed to eat fish. It is completely illogical and hypocritical to be ok with me eating a crappie or a bass but want to crucify me for eating a trout. The caney IS a sustainable fishery because TWRA stocks thousands of trout in there every year and will continue to do so. Going back to the old days of keeping 7 any size, any species wouldn't be a good idea. That's what depleted the trout population in the river and got these regs approved in the first place. I'm happy with the PLR on rainbows and brooks, something very similar should be put in place for the browns as well.

[Travis C.]

I can see your point and frustration. Thanks for the info as well.

As far as the info is concerned, there should be a huge number of brown trout in the 20+ inch range or else we have more problems on our hands than regulations. We have had 2 years of these new regs and 2 years where a brown 18"-23 15/16" can survive harvesting. I would contribute that more to the regs than the rivers ecosystem. Although they tend to go hand in hand.

In reality the "trophy" fishery they are wanting to create in my eyes in not a bunch of 20+ inch fish. While that is a nice fish anywhere just not what I would consider a true trophy. Show me browns in the 30's and you have a trophy fishery. But unfortunately to get to that point you have to let some fish grow.

Since we are talking trout for food, I think a solution you may be looking for is not as much regs based as stocking numbers based. Maybe more rainbows, brooks stocked and less browns since they are doing so well would solve it. I wouldn't have a problem with that knowing the browns that do get stocked should be okay until they reach 24" pending a rogue striper comes their way.

[j19bill]

This thread is not going to help anything. I think it needs to be locked before it gets worse. That being said here's my 2¢…

If you want the regulations changed call or write the TWRA and see what the process is. Go from there.
I don't care either way. I don't keep any trout and I don't care anyone else does. As long as its with on regulations whatever they are.
As far as the canoe rentals I don't like them either but I support individuals right to start a business. I avoid upriver from happy during the heavy rental times and fish down river. Then move upriver during the slow times ie early morning/evening.

Happy fighting everyone …

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[browntrout]

This news just in, there has been a huge fish kill at the Caney Fork. All of the trout are dead and the river has been taken over by skip jack. They are advising everyone to stay off of the river for the next 10 years due to the toxins from the dead fish. I will sacrifice myself and I will go to the river and check on it and I will let you know when the trout population starts to come back. All trout fisherman are advised to start fishing at Old Hickory lake for catfish and carp. Please understand the seriousness of this situation and do not risk your life by going to the Caney. I would probably advise staying off of Centerhill lake also.

[Tennesseejugger]

This news just in, there has been a huge fish kill at the Caney Fork. All of the trout are dead and the river has been taken over by skip jack. They are advising everyone to stay off of the river for the next 10 years due to the toxins from the dead fish. I will sacrifice myself and I will go to the river and check on it and I will let you know when the trout population starts to come back. All trout fisherman are advised to start fishing at Old Hickory lake for catfish and carp. Please understand the seriousness of this situation and do not risk your life by going to the Caney. I would probably advise staying off of Centerhill lake also.
Oh no OH has been put on a high mercury count alert, stay as far away as possible. think about your loved ones for goodness sakes! The catfish are growing arms and legs and walking up on the shore and steeling picnic baskets...Better call Mr. Ranger!

[MNfisher]

Hahahahaha! Hey brown trout, I will also risk my life to check on the trout population! Thanks for the laugh guys!

[Travis C.]

This thread is not going to help anything. I think it needs to be locked before it gets worse.

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I haven't noticed anything that would deem it lockable. Heck there have been far worse go rounds on here.

A little venting and collective thoughts aren't too bad.

[MNfisher]

I haven't noticed anything that would deem it lockable. Heck there have been far worse go rounds on here.

A little venting and collective thoughts aren't too bad.

I agree, just a bunch of guys throwing their opinions out there! I personally enjoy reading it! Ha!

[j19bill]

I haven't noticed anything that would deem it lockable. Heck there have been far worse go rounds on here.

A little venting and collective thoughts aren't too bad.

Im sure there have been. But things tend to escalate over stupid things like this. :o

But hey im not a moderator...

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[jad2t]

I would be quite disappointed in this forum if this thread got locked. As long as it doesn't get out of hand like foul language, threats, harsh insults, etc. a little disagreement and arguing is fine.

[Fish Whisperer]

Trout fishermen could never disappoint me like sauger fishermen do every winter...

[Alphahawk]

Trout fishermen could never disappoint me like sauger fishermen do every winter...

I have been able to catch every specie of fish I have ever chosen to pursue...except sauger. I have caught plenty by accident...fishing for something else...but when I target them I get nothing.


Regards

[tkwalker]

I would be quite disappointed in this forum if this thread got locked. As long as it doesn't get out of hand like foul language, threats, harsh insults, etc. a little disagreement and arguing is fine.

The Green Flag is still out guys .... <'TK>< :)

[Alphahawk]

The Caney made the latest issue of InFisherman Magazine. It lists the Caney as the place to catch trophy Browns in the Fall...how apropos.....LOL

[tkwalker]

The Caney made the latest issue of InFisherman Magazine. It lists the Caney as the place to catch trophy Browns in the Fall...how apropos.....LOL

Just for an FYI ... The Browns follow the Bows in November and December to take advantage of the Roe That the Bows are producing ...

The best time is "Night Time" But friends KNOW YOUR STUFF ... Fall rains and water and Gen Should be happening ... The Caney can be and will be very Dynamic and Dangerous !!! .... Been there and have the WET TEE SHIRT to prove it !! ... <'TK>< :o

[ojibwa]

There are lots of big browns in the Caney. I think that the current regs. are working very well for the browns. You just have to be there at the right time. These fish were caught in July.

[Doc Marshall]

This is why I only keep shad for my table. Sure, I have to eat about 80 of them to feel full -- and they taste surprisingly terrible -- but then again, I avoid any conflicts.

[jad2t]

OMG NO!!! Some of us like to net trophy shad, you're ruining the fishery!!! I'm going to lobby TWRA to put a limit on shad so we can only use 10" shad or bigger for catfish bait, or harvest.