Red River (Clarksville) 19 July 2013

[nomad60]

I decided to give the Red River another chance today; partly because the Cumberland is still high, fast and muddy, partly because someone told me that striper had been caught there not too long ago and partly because I have never caught a bass (or any fish, for that matter) out of the Red River itself. My buddy and I have tried, I’ve run up and down by myself a few times, with nothing to show for it. Which to me has always seemed odd since the Red connects to the Cumberland, is about 28 feet deep, and has plenty of cover and structure.

The recent rains plus the water being released up at the dams must be keeping the water temps cooler, the highest I saw was 74 degrees. I finally did manage to catch some bass out of the Red (no striper ), but aside from the 2 in the pics (which weren't hogs either LOL), they were pretty small. Not sure what it is about that body of water…

By 9:30 it was 89 degrees out and with no shade to hide in, I was sweating buckets so I called it a day. I’m hoping that by next Friday, the Cumberland will be back to normal (that is, if we don’t get more rain) so I can float along my favorite rock bluffs again.

[Reel Tune]

Nice report, I've never fished the Red River, but would like to check it out sometime.

Jeremy

[Jmmiller33]

That sounds like another Harpeth, looks perfect but it's tough to fish. I've only ever seen it at Port Royal park. Where did you put in and how far up did you go?

[nomad60]

Originally Posted by MidTNKayakAngler

Nice report, I've never fished the Red River, but would like to check it out sometime.

Jeremy

From what others have told me, and from my first-hand experiences, I would advise against it unless you just want to check out "Historic Clarksville" LOL

Having said that, I'll admit that I'm still learning the local area; I have been told that in the spring, the white bass run up the Red in good numbers.

[nomad60]

Originally Posted by Jmmiller33

That sounds like another Harpeth, looks perfect but it's tough to fish. I've only ever seen it at Port Royal park. Where did you put in and how far up did you go?

A few people have theorized that some kind of run off from some of the rock quarries along there, or something from the sewage treatment plant may be running into the Red. I put in at Liberty Park (the new Clarksville Marina), then ran down to the mouth of the Red and went up maybe a mile and then back down, fishing anywhere there was shade and rocks/trees. Saw plenty of (what I think were) carp breaking the surface and a few gar as well.
Maybe next time I'll run up a little farther...to get away from the quarries.

[Jmmiller33]

I believe that, being so close to Clarksville and all. They do canoe floats on it out of Adams and i've heard some people say that guys go down it in the winter when the water is clear and spear everything they see. Still, it has at least one decent feeder and it dumps into the cumberland so there has to be fish in it somewhere!

[nomad60]

Originally Posted by Jmmiller33

Still, it has at least one decent feeder and it dumps into the cumberland so there has to be fish in it somewhere!

I agree...and on the weekends, the banks are full of shore fishermen and they wouldn't keep coming back if they weren't catching anything. Just one more puzzle to solve Next time I'll take my ultralight and some trout magnets to see if I can get a nibble that way.

[Alphahawk]

Pretty pics....and those fish sure are chunky!



Regards