CR has changed!

[bookworm]

Interesting discussion. I was fly-fishing down below Burkesville last Sunday. Brought my waders but didn't need them--not a good thing. I wet-waded for six hours and never felt chilled. In past years I've needed waders to keep my legs from quivering in August down there, even as the sun is broiling down. Could someone explain why the water being released right now is so (relatively) warm? Why would ACE have needed to release the coldest water at the bottom of the dam when the lake was filling up? If that cold water is now gone, the trout won't make it through the summer when ACE drops discharge to 750 cfs and the August heat warms it up to the mid 70's. I thought we'd already been through the worst situation the past couple years, when in July and August the flow got low and the air temperature was in the upper 90's. This sounds even worse.

[RICHYD4U]

Interesting discussion. I was fly-fishing down below Burkesville last Sunday. Brought my waders but didn't need them--not a good thing. I wet-waded for six hours and never felt chilled. In past years I've needed waders to keep my legs from quivering in August down there, even as the sun is broiling down. Could someone explain why the water being released right now is so (relatively) warm? Why would ACE have needed to release the coldest water at the bottom of the dam when the lake was filling up? If that cold water is now gone, the trout won't make it through the summer when ACE drops discharge to 750 cfs and the August heat warms it up to the mid 70's. I thought we'd already been through the worst situation the past couple years, when in July and August the flow got low and the air temperature was in the upper 90's. This sounds even worse.

IMO the water is so warm do to the continual rain fall and the rapid release of all the cold, oxygen rich water from the bottom of the lake. That cold water has been discharged, and what is left is warmer and definetly not trout friendly! Doesn't look good CR brothers!

[kygorski]

yesterday the river was dark brown from the run off, the last time I fished from burkesville the water is stained the temp was over 62 degrees, and yes it has changed, no big fish at all, just the 12 inch RB and browns, also caught a drum, the first time I ever caught one of those on the river.it may take years for the river to rebound, and thats what I dont have!

[RICHYD4U]

yesterday the river was dark brown from the run off, the last time I fished from burkesville the water is stained the temp was over 62 degrees, and yes it has changed, no big fish at all, just the 12 inch RB and browns, also caught a drum, the first time I ever caught one of those on the river.it may take years for the river to rebound, and thats what I dont have!

That's sad to hear. Being from the west, I always felt like when I was fly fishing at the CR, It was the closest I could get to fishing at home. Unfortunately, water conditions like that will destroy the trout fishery, and to catch a drum...look-out! Looks like the CR will shorten dramatically in the length of trout waters from the dam (maybe to about 15-20miles, IMO). Sorry to say it my Burkesville bretheren, but your section of the CR might has seen the last of its big trout. This is going to hurt alot of the industry built along the CR that depended on trout fisherman for business.

-Rich

[troutcrazy]

I can handle the changes in the gravel bars and fishing spots, but the cold water is an extremely important issue. The lake is absent of cold water now and it will take a month or more of no significant rains to restore the cold water temps. In all this dam repair talk the biologist said once the water hits 65 trout begin to die off...it looks like 65 is going to be the norm the farther down river you get. Not to mention all the creek runoff that is occuring everytime there is a big rain...that warms things up too.

The green sluge on the bottom is also a concern. There was some discussion last year on the board about "dittiomoe" (don't know how to spell it). From what I understand, once you've got it's there for good. I know this sounds crazy, but I'm looking forward to a few weeks of no rain, just so we can see the bottom again! Hopefully we haven't lost the big ones' in the river!

TR

[etcfishin]

Those who get the seasonal Ky Afield magazine need to check out the article on C-river. It confirms the problems discussed on here with all of the rain.

[PRO V LE]

More rain on the way and it has rained the past several days.
The lake is at 684 the river at 554 with 2 or more generators around the clock at 10520cfs as of today.

[troutcrazy]

Those who get the seasonal Ky Afield magazine need to check out the article on C-river. It confirms the problems discussed on here with all of the rain.

Is it in the current issue?

[etcfishin]

Is it in the current issue?

Yes. Just got it in the mail a few days ago. Summer 2009 issue.