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Billy and psprowler,
Good points. Dam removal may not be what's best for the Elkhorn. There's just a lot of attention nationwide on this subject and the preliminary evidence is that it's good for improving native habitat. I've never heard it brought up in Ky that much so I thought it would be a good time to at least present the other side. Water demands will always take precedence and I can't blame anyone for that. Thanks for the input.
My question would be this: Just because it has worked in a few areas, does that guarantee that it will work on the Elkhorn?
Another question is why would KDFWR say "Off the record" that it is a good idea, but wouldn't say it on the record? What would be in it for them either way?
Good discussion with several valid points. I use to talk to a F&W buddy about the dams, but on KY River. He told me about how it would have been one of the "premier" smallie streams in the South/US if it had been able to be left untouched. And it makes sense considering the climate, number of feeding tribs, gradient, etc. But, community needs supercede, period, as it should be. Can only wish..........
TimT-It would most likely work on the Elkhorn, but you are correct that nothing is guaranteed.
KDFWR is a government job, you can't get any state employee to go "official" about the Sun setting in the West, let alone anything else. CYA at its finest!
Better ecologically means less work and finances to improve the fishery.
UpaCrick
Undersized Largemouths!!! I don't know where you have been fishing but I turned a 5.7 LARGEMOUTH back in this summer to finish growing up in one of those damed up holes on North Elkhorn. I've fished Elkhorn a many of times to catch larger fish and a lot more of them than several trips to Cumberland,now granted I don"t get washed up on the bank by 28 foot cabin cruisers or see as many bearly clad women co-piloting. Agreynolds and I grew up above one of those dams and we fish above them in the summer because below them ,well let me just say I can pee a bigger stream. You all arent getting either one of the 2 points. POINT 1 take out dam and the stream will be dry or stagnat(sp) as it is below the dam.POINT 2 that NC company is finding a easy fix to get their butt out of a jam. Oh I forgot the dip net clause,take out the dam,put what fish are leftin a puddle and break out the fahitas and hot sauce.