Cumberland River Trout!!!!

[charliebrown]

I usually just watch these post from the shadows. This is an important subject and I would like to put my two cents in.I live out of state and fish the river regularly. I always bring several people with me and we do our part for the local economy(we wait to buy supplies until we get to burkesville).I mostly target trophy size fish and this river is one of the only places they may still be found in any numbers.It is an awesome fishery and needs to be preserved.I do not want to see this river become another chattahoochie. I feel that something needs to change. Change is constant and since I started fishing the river I have noticed a huge increase in fisherman and a decrease in quality fish. It is sad but the rights of the many are usually hindered by a few bad apples and the ignorant. I am no expert and do not have all the answers. I am glad to see that people are talking about the subject.If you want to see where the cumberland is headed I will be glad to host you on my home river the hooch.

[kygorski]

There are a few differences, one of them being about 5 million people do not have quick access to the cumberland.I* dont fish the river as much as I used to, one reason being the newer fishermen just give a d-m about others fishing rights, very few will idle down for anchored or trolling fihermen, they are too busy to be courteous, because they are after that trophy fish.I dont keep trout, and mostly use artificials, but sometimes trying to cast the banks when a speeding boat goeas within yards of you, just makes me not care if thete are new limits or no limits.But I'm sorry about rattling on, its that way all over the country now, more boats bigger boats. more horsepower, and less brain power.

[motalot]

That is not a fisherman. That is a boater that is uneducated most likely. Most people purchase boats and use them only a few times a year. There are no laws to educate boat owners except for the young. I have been with many boaters and some have scared me to death.

[troutcrazy]

There are many who say..."Why not have a section that is catch and release?" The problem is you cannot have any trout in your possession while in the section of C/R. If I catch a 20in.+ brown up stream outside the C/R section, it's gonna be hard to give it up just because I have a few miles downstream to float through a C/R section. There must be conservation but I don't believe C/R is the best way to go about it on the Cumberland. In this case the slot is the best way to create trophy fish, and I hope the KDFW will apply those limits for many years to come.

On the boaters who are idots comment...couldn't agree more. Do your best to idle by waders and float boats...