Caney Fork on Memorial Day Morning - FishingTN.com Tennessee's Fishing and Boating Community

jjohnson · #1 05-26-2014, 09:08 AM

Fresh and new to clearwater/river fishing and decided yesterday that I wanted to try fishing at night on the Caney. Called a buddy and made a plan on where we were going to go.

We decided to start downstream a but and work our way up towards the dam considering how the dam hasn't been generating a whole lately.

We're shore/wading fishermen so to start, we got to the Betty's Island ramp around 8:30pm and pitched for a couple of hours....no action at all. So, we decided to change the venue and try a new venue.

Moved upstream to the Happy Hollow bar and well...The Caney fog had rolled in pretty thick at that point (about 11pm I'd say) and the water was so low that getting a hook wet proved pretty difficult. Especially since the undergrowth was pretty well exposed in the water and even with flashlights, visibility was only around 5-6 ft. Finding prospective areas to actually fish was pretty tough. So, we gave up on fighting the grass and fog and made our way to the dam.

Finally, feeling a little relief about the fact that the bottom of the dam is almost ALWAYS active with fish we hit the steps on the south/west side of the dam and tried everything in our tackle boxes. Literally. No luck.

Not being one for "throwing in the towel" and a firm believer in "a bad day of fishing beats any good day work", I told my fishing partner into just throwing a weight and night crawler out and we just sit and relax. If something hits, it hits. Whatever.

Long story short, we only caught 3 fish all night but I think we accomplished something that I haven't really heard of or seen...2 of our 3 catches were Lake Sturgeon. 3rd was a 17" Rainbow. I have pics but (bear with me) I'll have to figure out how to attach them in a second post on this thread after I learn how to do it. Haha.

How often are Lake Sturgeon caught in the Caney Fork?

Also, could anyone help by sharing some suggestions on lures and techniques for night fishing the Caney? Maybe the fish just weren't moving but I'm confident the issue was that we weren't really giving them what they wanted.

MNfisher · #2 05-26-2014, 10:31 AM

Congrats on the sturgeon catches. They are becoming more and more common at center hill dam!

Mike

jjohnson · #3 05-26-2014, 11:03 AM

Thanks! It was definitely an adrenaline rush bringing the first (larger) one in...he fought hard and kept himself deep.

TroutFiend · #4 05-26-2014, 11:21 AM

That's awesome caching those, I will eventually get one up there. As far as night fishing goes on the river it can be sobering on some nights and dynamite on others as with all areas. The larger browns will become active in search of a good size meal as the sun sets on low water. My partner and I have been up there the past few Saturday nights from 11pm-4am in search of the Walleye. And had success with large stick baits and have caught a few LM, trout, drum, sauger in the process. If you fish in the evening before dark the trout magnet can be deadly as darkness sets in swapping over to the crappie magnet for a larger silhouette can be helpful. I have only been night fishing up there for around 3 years and am by no means an expert, but have put in my hours. I have found my best nights for stock size trout up there to be from the steps in the worst of weather in the winter, knocking ice off my rod...

Andy G

jjohnson · #5 05-26-2014, 12:06 PM

Thanks for the tips and reassurance!

I was afraid it was going to be a disappointing fishing trip but it all panned out in the end. Just talked with my little brother and it looks like I'll be treading the Caney again this evening. AWESOME!!

Just had a little spring storm blow through, so, maybe it'll make a difference on how active the fish are...

lupanfreitag · #6 05-26-2014, 02:49 PM

I'm going to have to try that sometime

thehick176 · #7 05-26-2014, 07:47 PM

I bet TWRA would like to know about your Sturgeon. Usually length, weight, and location.

Dakota · #8 05-26-2014, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehick176

I bet TWRA would like to know about your Sturgeon. Usually length, weight, and location.

Good point I was thinking the same thing nice fish

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jjohnson · #9 05-26-2014, 08:02 PM

I intend to call and offer the pictures to TWRA. I don't necessarily carry a scale or ruler with me. So, i didn't get any "statistical" info for them. Did some reading, apparently the TWRA sends ya a fancy certificate for catching one. Who Hoo! So, i definitely want to claim my "trophy".

Actually on the Caney now and pulled up to Betty's Island right as the water was rising from generation this afternoon. Fog is insanely thick this evening. Probably from the rain. Gonna do the same routine I ran last night and I'll let y'all know the result.

agelesssone · #10 05-26-2014, 08:30 PM

Good reports Jjohnson. I never fish the Caney but lots of guys on here do and I'm sure they appreciate your comments too.

Hope you have some great catches again tonight.

jjohnson · #11 05-27-2014, 01:26 AM

Thanks agelesssone. I plan on making the Caney my Saturday ritual all summer. I'd love to report my every experience. I'm actually surprised at the online community and talks about TN and fishing and excited to be part of it.

As for tonight's fishing ventures, total bust. Not even a nibble. Tried the whole Betty's Island then upstream routine again and got nada.

Even tried TroutFiend's suggestions and it just wasn't happening for me. Maybe it's just some sort of bad juju or something....the white Bic lighter I had in my pocket may have had something to do with it? Superstitions...haha.

Did happen to find a couple neat little holes and rock piles I'd like to try during the day next time though with a jig or even the "go-to" Rooster Tail. Oh well, there's always next weekend....