Caney Fork Help

[Tennessee Trey]

Hi all,
I am heading to Caney Fork the first time for a long weekend of fishing next week with my 72 year old father. We are both experienced fishermen and have fished the White river in Arkansas with great success. I was wondering if anyone could offer advice on tactics and baits for the Caney.
My plan right now is to drift the river throwing Yozuri Pins Minnows to the banks for trout and whatever else wants to play. I have a 14ft jon with an old 9.9 Evinrude to get us around the river.
I am also curious about fishing directly below the dam area. What is a good pattern to try there? We will be fishing spinning gear exclusively. Have heard reports on Walleye at night and plan to try that.
Any advice or general knowledge is greatly appreciated.
Tight Lines,
Trey

[Travis C.]

Be wary of the generation. If its on then you'll need to stay away from the strainers/bridge abutments drifting your boat closer to mid river than the bank while fishing shorelines. The water doesn't move incredibly fast but it can and has caught several boaters off guard. Only....Only fish the area immediately below the Dam if the sluice gates are not on. You will know this by the spray of water into the air on the opposite side of the wing wall from the generators. It's far too rough and too many conflicting currents to risk especially first time on the river.

On generation is really the best fishing for size and numbers of size. If you have fished the White with success then this river shouldn't be a stretch from those same tactics.

Minnow jerkbaits do work really well from 3"-9". Colors I'd stick to a shad or trout color pattern but bright colors do draw attention some days. Trout mags work really well too on low water. But after all the rain we received you may be stuck with generation next weekend.

Spinning gear would be fine but I would not go above 6-8lb diameter line with preferred fluorocarbon on the terminal end.

Good luck, the river has been putting out some quality fish since the new regs went into effect a few years back. I am expecting this to be a really good year.

[Alphahawk]

The drift method you learned on the White will get you some good bows if they are generating. If they are not generating I would go with Trout Magnets......and work over the deep holes as they also can hold big black nose crappie.

Regards


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[Tennessee Trey]

Thanks folks!
I will post a report upon my return :)

[Reel Tune]

Good luck Trey. Some great advice was given by two very good anglers

[browntrout]

Trey,
If you are used to fishing the White River the Caney will be very similar. Be very careful with the generation as you will find that the Caney is a lot narrower than the White and the water will run faster due to that fact. Looking at the elevation levels and the amount of rain that we have had lately they could be running 3 generators when you are here. I would stay in the first 6 miles of the river (Dam to Happy Hollow). There are plenty of fish there and you have no bridges in that float. You will want to use stick baits but due to the increased water you will need to switch to a deeper diver (8 ft.) stick bait. Also the River Rig that you fish on the White works really good on the Caney for the rainbows. If you have any other questions shot me a PM with your phone number and I will be happy to call you and help any way that I can. Good luck......

Roy

[Tennessee Trey]

I am heading out this evening for the weekend trip. Looks like a lot of generation so I have tried to prepare for that. Lots of jerk baits in the box with a variety that should cover surface to 8 ft deep. Keeping my fingers crossed on the weather. I always did like fishing in the rain but if we get the thunderstorms I will be at the cabin waiting them out.
Any last pointers for high generation?
Thanks for all the help folks.
I will post a report when I get back home.

[TroutFiend]

We fished the Caney last Sunday on 3 gens. Started at 8 fished till 1pm. Could not draw any strikes from main ramp all the way down to Lancaster area. All trout were caught below Dam around waterfalls and current break off the wing wall. Mainly used Brook colored Countdown Rapalas. Quite a few skipjack are in there now. Seen some large trout caught on minnows in this area, but I only fish artificials. Good luck!


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[Alphahawk]

I am heading out this evening for the weekend trip. Looks like a lot of generation so I have tried to prepare for that. Lots of jerk baits in the box with a variety that should cover surface to 8 ft deep. Keeping my fingers crossed on the weather. I always did like fishing in the rain but if we get the thunderstorms I will be at the cabin waiting them out.
Any last pointers for high generation?
Thanks for all the help folks.
I will post a report when I get back home.

With all the high water don't overlook the Pond. Using Trout Magnets or some other micro jig can get you lots of fish from there, and several specie also.



Regards

[Travis C.]

PM me your number and I will give you a call tomorrow if you'd like.

Got some stuff for you to try. ;)