warning to all fishing floyds fork

[21XRD300]

I know my snakes, and have definately seen a cottonmouth in this area. However, just because it was around water doesn't make it a "water moccasin"(hope I spelled that right). I'm not saying they are plentiful around here; just saying its possible, and please don't kill them out of ignorance or irrational fears.

http://fw.ky.gov/pdf/kysnakebook.pdf

Here is a good publication on Kentucky Snakes. Interesting read on Cottonmouths and similarities to water snakes. Check out all the triangular headed water snakes on pages 27, 28....... I know a lot of folks who say they've seen cottonmouths distant from their western Kentucky habitat and I believe them, better safe than sorry, but I've never heard a supposed expert on snakes say they can be found anywere but W-KY.

Let me add that I'm not jumping in here trying to claim people are wrong. Cottonmouths are just an interesting subject that gets brought up ever now and then.

[Duayne]

Good information is always good. bad information... Well, speaks for itself. I'd rather get it right then be right.

[usmc_0311_hunter]

it deffinatly wasnt the northern water snake now i hate to say this but it looked very similar to the diamondback water snake in that link on page 28 but it says those stay in western ky also so the only way im gonna find out for sure is to go catch one ill try to get out there wensday hopefully there in the same area they were laying out in the sun on that hillside right next to the bridge im sure they live right in that area shouldnt be hard to find

[KyPit71]

it deffinatly wasnt the northern water snake now i hate to say this but it looked very similar to the diamondback water snake in that link on page 28 but it says those stay in western ky also so the only way im gonna find out for sure is to go catch one ill try to get out there wensday hopefully there in the same area they were laying out in the sun on that hillside right next to the bridge im sure they live right in that area shouldnt be hard to find

Good Luck !!!

[bplgocards]

it deffinatly wasnt the northern water snake now i hate to say this but it looked very similar to the diamondback water snake in that link on page 28 but it says those stay in western ky also so the only way im gonna find out for sure is to go catch one ill try to get out there wensday hopefully there in the same area they were laying out in the sun on that hillside right next to the bridge im sure they live right in that area shouldnt be hard to find

Hope you can find a long stick to keep them back with! If you manage to kill/capture one, take pics of it so we can really determined what it is.

[KentuckyBristle]

Hope you can find a long stick to keep them back with! If you manage to kill/capture one, take pics of it so we can really determined what it is.

...or better yet, have a friend take a lot of photos of you as you try to catch one. Could be an interesting spectacle...

Be careful! And I hope you don't kill it...I'm no fan of cottonmouths, but even when it comes to snakes I prefer catch-and-release unless I plan to eat one.

[usmc_0311_hunter]

...or better yet, have a friend take a lot of photos of you as you try to catch one. Could be an interesting spectacle...

Be careful! And I hope you don't kill it...I'm no fan of cottonmouths, but even when it comes to snakes I prefer catch-and-release unless I plan to eat one.

unless you eat one LOL!!! i actually considerd this when i killed that rattle snake in eastern ky

[usmc_0311_hunter]

i actually had the one that went into the water pined down with my fishing pole but the other half of him was under the rock and i didnt wana try n catch what apperd to be a cotton mouth that was in the water and half way under a rock it didnt seem like a good idea at the time im probaly gona go back friday as long as the weather permits theres some nice smallies in that little creek its alot of fun if you dont mind wading long distances hole to hole

[mhall]

Copperhead I would bet on it. They are quite at home in the water. There are no CM this far east. Call any herpatologist, biologist you want and see if they don't tell you the same thing. Now are Copperheads honery, heck yea and can lay the smack down on you to, and this area has enough to be wary of them.

[Duayne]

Pics would probably be enough if you have a camera that can zoom.