Tennessee

[buzzmaster]

Fished the caney during the generation from about 630-200. We floated from the dam to bettys island and the trout were destroying about any crank bait tossed. We fished the dam area for about 45minutes in the current from the generator caught quite a few trout but no giant ones which was the case for the whole day. All fish caught were between 12-18 inches with a couple of skipjacks in there too at the dam. From happy hollow to bettys island seemed to be a better stretch but the entire day me and my buddy had at least 15 times when we each had a fish on at the same time. I used a rapala brown trout, he used a pointer trout imitation. I tried several other crankbaits but the rapala was the biggest producer.

[Terry]

Have you been watching the release schedule regularly? I was wondering how many days out of the last 15 or so that they have run 1 generator.

[rupp]

[Terry]

I didn't realize it was going to take 5 years!

[buzzmaster]

Yeah they have been running one generator for the last couple of weeks straight. We saw maybe 5 or 6 other boats in total when we were there. I want to go somewhere either there or harpeth if rains hold off on sunday morning so you or rupp want to go just let me know

[Ricky 819]

when you say caney fork. which fork do you mean. anywhere near edgar evins state park? Or what mile marker is nearest on 40? Just didn't understand.
_________________
Ricky Brown

[Terry]

I guess technically you could call any part of Center Hill Lake and the tailwaters "Caney Fork" but for all practical purposes, just consider what's below the dam as the "Caney Fork".

Center Hill Dam and Center Hill Lake was authorized by federal legislation, specifically the Flood Control Act of 1938 and River and Harbor Act of 1946. Construction was completed and the gates were closed on November 27, 1948. On a regional level Center Hill Dam is one of several projects designed to develop and control water resources in the Cumberland River basin.

By controlling the waters of the Caney Fork River, Center Hill Dam reduces flooding of municipal, industrial and agricultural areas down stream. The Caney Fork River flows into the Cumberland River near Carthage. From Carthage the Cumberland River flows into the Tennessee River at Land Between the Lakes on the Kentucky - Tennessee Border. From there the Tennessee River Flows into the Ohio River near Paducah, Kentucky and the Ohio River joins the Mississippi River near Cairo, Illinois. As illustrated by the river connections, Center Hill Dam is one part of a larger system which is an important part of the development for the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.

[Ricky 819]

Ok, If I were to take a canoe and go to the caney fork. Where would I go and where is the best place to put in? And is there camping near by? And is there any bank fishing? My brother lives at Dickson and we fish the Harpeth some but would like to go to the caney. We have fished out in MO. for several years for trout and love it. Love flyrod fishing. But really didn't know of any trout much around here. Didn't think that they could sustain in these waters. Are they just winter?
_________________
Ricky Brown

[Terry]

You can start at the dam like Buzz did. There is a ramp on both sides of the tailwater and a campground is on the west side, Long Branch Campground, right on the water. It's a pretty good campground. The other option is Edgar Evans State Park which is 10 minutes to the water. It's nice too, it's on the lake side of the dam and some sites are on the water, lake that is. There is some bank fishing at Long Branch and on the other side but they are not really shutting the generators down to make it easy. Mostly they are running one generator continuously while they bring the lake down for dam repairs. This means wading is more difficult and canoe trips are preferrable. Caney Fork trout is year-round. A few good places to take out would be Happy Hollow, the rest area on the interstate or Betty's Island. When going to the Caney from your direction, I believe you cross over the Caney 5 times, the last one, right before you get off to go to the dam, is the rest area. You can actually get off there and fish the Caney, canoe or bank, but park on the east side of the parking lot, to avoid a long walk. It's still about a 50-yard walk.

There are a few places that hold Trout in the winter which are stocked. Below Percy Priest is one, which is fairly close to you. Not as nice a river as the Caney, but a place to drop by for supper, not set up for winter camping.

[Ricky 819]

Hey, thanks a bunch. you cleared all that up for me. I am familiar with all of those places now.
_________________
Ricky Brown