Caney Fork 12-28-2012

[browntrout]

Myself and Transplanted Sportsman hit the Caney today. I knew it would be an awesome day of fishing for Browns with the front coming in......wrong. We couldn't even buy a bite. Probably the toughest day I have ever had up there. I did get to see Ole Sailor's golden eagles today. They are an amazing bird to see. I did also have the pleasure of meeting and fishing with Transplanted. Super nice guy. I also got to meet Ole Sailor and pick his brain for a few minutes. The fish were not cooperating but still an awesome day out and enjoying nature.

Roy.

[Travis C.]

That stinks but better than working.

It seemed like a good day with the weather outside.

[TNtransplant08]

How do you tell the difference between a golden eagle and an immature bald eagle? Just curious.

[browntrout]

How do you tell the difference between a golden eagle and an immature bald eagle? Just curious.

They have a beautiful rust color to them and white underneath. If you ever see one you will know it. The are a beautiful bird.

Roy.

[Travis C.]

How do you tell the difference between a golden eagle and an immature bald eagle? Just curious.

Here is from an older thread on this:

http://www.fishingtn.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1652&d=1330298447

This was taken on the Caney by catchingtrout and the response below is by bd.

There is only one way I know of to tell, and it's not easy.

If you see the eagle with its leg extended, you can look at the feathering on the lower leg.

A juvenile bald eagle will have bare skin for a few inches up from the foot - basically a bare "ankle."

A golden eagle's leg, on the other hand, will be feathered all the way to the base of the toes.

This is tough because when eagles perch, they often do so with their body huddled over their feet so you can't see the "ankle" area. For instance, on the photo of the juvenile bald eagle I posted up above, the eagle's body feathers block the view of the lower leg.

On the other hand, you can see that Catchingtrout's picture is definitely a pair of juvenile bald eagles because the one on the right has his leg extended, and you can see that the dark brown feathers stop a couple inches above the foot.

I did some reading to see how long a juvenile bald eagle keeps the brown plumage, and I found that sometimes they don't gain the full adult black-and-white plumage until they're 4 or 5 years old. Therefore, with the nesting pair of adult bald eagles on the Caney producing one or two young eagles a year, and the rarity of goldens in this part of the country, I'd think the assumption weighs heavily that any dark brown eagle in that area is more likely to be a juvenile bald eagle rather than a golden.

Like I said, it's possible that a golden might show up in the area, but it wouldn't be common.

[old sailor]

Last winter one beautiful morning on the caney about a half mile or so below the dam in that straight stretch, the shad were coming through; the trout and birds were having a field day. There was a golden, bald, and an osprey circling above me looking to feed. While I was enjoying the airshow a great blue heron flew squawking among them. Apparently upset with his boorish behavior; they flew away. What a party pooper!

[TNtransplant08]

Thanks for the clarification Travis. I saw a bald eagle fly over the Long Hunter boat ramp yesterday morning while I was loading my boat onto the trailer. Always neat to see...

[j19bill]

I've never found anything more majestic than eagles when their circling. What ever im doing I always stop a stare. I remember when i was young my grandparents took me to realfoot to see the bald eagles.

Sent from my Droid Bionic complete with typos and sarcasm.

[frankshome]

I do believe i saw a golden eagle in sumner county between Bethpage and the 231 turnoff on hwy 31e would love if someone could confirm this for me. my cousin says only buzzards around there but i know the difference. I have seen it 4 or 5 times twice perched on a light pole and the rest in flight, the cry of an eagle isalso unmistakeable and i have heard it several times in rual Westmoreland. if anyone see it please let me know

[MNfisher]

I am pretty sure I have only seen juvenile bald eagles, since usually there is an adult bald eagle near. I would love to see a golden eagle someday!

[Transplanted Sportsman]

Myself and Transplanted Sportsman hit the Caney today. I knew it would be an awesome day of fishing for Browns with the front coming in......wrong. We couldn't even buy a bite. Probably the toughest day I have ever had up there. I did get to see Ole Sailor's golden eagles today. They are an amazing bird to see. I did also have the pleasure of meeting and fishing with Transplanted. Super nice guy. I also got to meet Ole Sailor and pick his brain for a few minutes. The fish were not cooperating but still an awesome day out and enjoying nature.

Roy.

Hey Roy, sorry I have been off the grid for a couple of days hence my late response, it was nice to meet you as well, I had a great time despite my fishless day and freezing my butt solid!! lol, I hope my many questions didn't anoye you too much!!, thanks for sharing your knowledge with this rookie and I look forward to another outing some time in the future in that supercool rig of yours!!, It was nice to listen to Ole Saylor as well, also seeing the golden eagle was pretty neat too!!

[old sailor]

If you enjoyed that cold, slow fishing day; you are off to a great start!

[StriperFan]

I am pretty sure I have only seen juvenile bald eagles, since usually there is an adult bald eagle near. I would love to see a golden eagle someday!

There is supposed to be a population of them here in Mid TN., notably in the Bradyville area, so I have been told. They may not stick as close to waterways as there bald headed cousins though.

[TroutFiend]

I hit the Caney Fork early this morning for a couple of hours. The bite was pretty steady caught some nice rainbows and a few nice browns. Also seen a very large rainbow taken directly below the dam. Call all fish on yozurri pin minnows and gold Cleo.

[Travis C.]

That's a pretty brown. Looks like they may be putting some meat back on their bones.

The bows should be getting ready to do their attempt at spawing in the next few weeks or so.

[TroutFiend]

That's a pretty brown. Looks like they may be putting some meat back on their bones.

The bows should be getting ready to do their attempt at spawing in the next few weeks or so.

I believe your right. I tried the TM yesterday during generation with no luck. I noticed as soon as the generators stopped a guy in a boat with TM logos came in and started using them. Can they be fished correctly in heavy current?

[Alphahawk]

I believe your right. I tried the TM yesterday during generation with no luck. I noticed as soon as the generators stopped a guy in a boat with TM logos came in and started using them. Can they be fished correctly in heavy current?

Very hard to fish them in that current.....unless trout are rising.


Regards

[TroutFiend]

Very hard to fish them in that current.....unless trout are rising.


Regards

Alright! Fresh out of surgery and already posting to help out a novice like me. That is dedication to the sport. I fished on Saturday and they were rising below the Dam. But I did not tie on TM stuck with the hold Cleo. Thank you for the advice and take care of that knee you'll be out there before you know it.