4/30/08 Report

[Brian Sloss]

While my friend Liz and I hit the Turner to Whitten run in my drift boat, the forest service was supposed to be clearing the Thomasville to Cane Bluff stretch with chainsaws. If they did as they said they were going to do, the whole upper river will be open. For fishing, Thomasville to Cane Bluff and Cane Bluff to Greer, would be where I would go for now as the smallies should be nearing the spawn, if not already under way up by Thomasville. The river looks great up there.

As for Liz and I, the trout fishing was pretty darn slow. Hopefully the stocking truck will be visiting the lower river soon. With the high water, it has been a while since it has seen any new fish. The high water did not help either. We caught a few, but not many. We had to use very heavy flies to get them deep enough to get what we did. The trout will improve, we just need a little less water, a foot or two less water. Fishing may be better below Whitten and above Turner though, as the stretch we ran does get the most pressure.

[Brian Sloss]

They did not get around to opening up Thomasville to Cane Bluff. Now they say next week. There was a fire that diverted the staff on Wed.

[joefish]

How big of a hassle would it be to float it anyway, Is it that bad?

[Brian Sloss]

A kayak with light gear and experienced paddler would be fine. Lots of gear would be a pain with the portages (around 6) and one is risky.

[smbass43]

Brian,

Any early prediction on when the river is going to turn back to normal conditions? Hopefully by the last part of May, but it seems like the river is taking for ever to drop.

[Brian Sloss]

I'm guessing you like smallies by your handle. If that is the case, everything above Greer is good for you. No prediction, as it would be just a guess. The river below is fine for floating now, but the fishing is slow. That will change below Turner when they start stocking and I hope that will be soon.

[smbass43]

Thanks for the info and yes I primarily fish for smallmouth, but love to catch trout as well. Looks like we'll be hitting the upper stretches this year. Never put in at Thomasville because of mixed reviews; hows the gravel bar situation up there for camping?

[Brian Sloss]

There are plenty from Cane Bluff to Greer (all forest service land). Thomasville to Greer has some as well, though outside of Denny Hallow, the land is private, so don't travel too far from the banks. The land owners have never been disagreeable to floaters or fisherman that I have heard of.