2022 04 10 Chickamauga TN River

[coldfront]

Too nice of a day, so I took the boat out this afternoon AFTER the Bassmaster ELITES wrapped up their tournament.  Personally hate thinking that I might have an impact on any of the anglers, much as a big part of me would love to watch them work.  But I guess that's what Bass LIVE is all about.  Plus I get to listen to Zona, Tommy and Davey commentary.

at any rate, sunny day today.  bright blue skies.  light winds to start the day, but steady out of the SSW later in the afternoon around 8 mph.  Day started out with FROST, but quickly warmed.

It was mid-60's when I got to the lake around 2PM to ready the boat.  Water was typical Chickamauga clear (around 2 feet visibility) and water temperatures ranged from 57°F on main river channel *upstream around Possum Creek* to 67°F in some back-water sloughs around the Soddy Nuke plant.

TVA release rates:  Chickamauga Dam was a little over 9000 cfs and steady through day.  Watts Bar dam (upstream) was releasing at 4600 cfs and Hiwassee was flowing in at basically ZERO.  still, the lake is on a very slow, but steady rise.  Now up to about 680 feet of elevation.  Full summer pool is 682-683 and 'typically' is reached around April 15.  without some significant rain events, looks like that won't happen for a bit yet.

Dogwoods are in bloom.  Redbuds are winding down.  the wild mustard is blooming on the shorelines... here's a photo of a favorite spawning bay that I enjoy.  gets good when the water is about 1 foot up 'into' the rushes.  right now, the mustard is growing on the bare clay banks just waiting to be flooded with water rise. 



some of the 'victims' today. 


warmouth are in spawn mode.  this one was notable due to it's bright yellow color.  when it came over the side, it was 'hot' and the barring was really vivid.  faded quick.  normally during spawn, these little guys are much darker.


Found fish on south-facing points, cuts in about 4-5 foot of water.  could have followed suit and done what the pros did, but I 'gotta be me' so I spent the day dragging a tube around. 

first 'spaz' over the side of the boat


best of the day.  maybe a bit north of 2.5 pounds.



all in all, FUN.  maybe 15?  in a little less than 2 hours of actual fishing time?

ran north of Possum Creek and fished a little spawning cut.  had a couple of 'freight train' hits on some pea-gravel banks *under over-hanging trees* but no hook ups.  again, fun day.