[CinciVol]

I'm heading up to the SoHo in a month or so and I was wondering where folks take-out on the SoHo when they float the upper tailwater. We'll have two canoes and a Crawdad (12' jon) as our flotilla so I'd like to avoid the big rapids on the river that I've heard are there. I guess that the upper river (starting at Emmits rd) is the best spot to put in and seems like the most fishy part of the river so I'd like to put in there and take out somewhere well short of Bluff City and any huge rapids. Any advise is appreciated.



I'll let y'all know when we are heading up and anyone interested in the float is welcome to join!



Thanks!

 

[snoot]

I wouldn't hesitate to float from the TVA launch @ Emmetts to Bluff City.... but I was raised on the river. If you all are experienced with swift water, you should be able to float without to much trouble as well. There's a set of rapids below the Hickory Tree bridge that you should scout out before launching... You can look at them from Sandbar Rd., park at the Central Holston Christian Church ... This will give you an idea of the route to take through them...



The river does move quickly, so you need to keep your canoes/crawdad straight. That's where most people get in trouble... If you hit a shoal side ways, you will get flipped.



Let me know when you're coming and I will meet you and show you around.



Jon

 

[CinciVol]

Jon,



Thanks for the invite, I'll let you know when I'm heading up. I'll probably drive up in March to scout around (sounds like as good an excuse to get out and fish as any!).



I have a fair amount of experience with canoeing in fast water and I'm planning on working my way to that point with the jon. The Hickory Tree rapid was the one I was most concerned about. You can see the head of it from the bridge and it looked pretty significant. Glad to hear that there's a spot to scout it!

 

[MJPRICE]

You dont need to scout no stinkin rapids! Just run "em.

 

[OLDE MOSSYBACK]

You dont need to scout no stinkin rapids! Just run "em.

I USED TO THINK THAT TILL LAST SAT. I GOT SIDEWAYS & SLICED MY PONTOON

 

[basshunter360]

If you run the first set to the right side, an when you get over those their is another set down below the next island that are alot worse just hang those to the right to. If they are not releasing any water it will be a rough float.

 

[tclepsch]

They haven't been releasing enough water lately to float. No reason to think they will in the foreseeable future. So Holston reservoir remains waaaay low. I always run the Hickory Tree rapids river left. They're only Class II.

 

[Blessed Fisherman]

If you run the first set to the right side, an when you get over those their is another set down below the next island that are alot worse just hang those to the right to. If they are not releasing any water it will be a rough float.

Are you saying that it's not worth trying if they're not generating?

 

[fish whisperer]

Hey BF , as slow as you float and fish the water speed wouldn't make any difference

 

[Blessed Fisherman]

Si! You can call me SlowPoke Rodriguez

I can make an all day trip out of a 2 mile float.

 

[Wynnsman]

If your fishing from canoes and crawdads for trout I would put in just below the grates down from the wier dams. There are some spots that are very deep and not ever fished. You could take out on Big Springs Rd. Just bring waders you may have to pull the boats in some places.

 

[basshunter360]

Are you saying that it's not worth trying if they're not generating?

If the water is down you will be out dragging your boat alot until you get to hickory tree bridge done it once an it wasnt no fun.

 

[CinciVol]

Thanks guys. I think we're going to head up there in April. Maybe they will be pushing some water then. I'm ready to run Hickory Tree!

 

[snoot]

If you run the first set to the right side, an when you get over those their is another set down below the next island that are alot worse just hang those to the right to. If they are not releasing any water it will be a rough float.

The bad thing about the ones below the bridge, is they are in a bend and it trys to pull you to the lef into the rocks and trees.... They're no trouble to stay to the right as long as you put your rod down and grab your paddle before you get to them... The next ones down below the island are where I was raised. They are not in a bend and there's a good "shoot" to the right of center that will get you right through.



Don't bother with the boats if they are not generating. You'll drag way more than you fish and scare the heck out of every fish in the hole. Not to mention the peeing off the wade fisherman!



There are no untapped spots on this water. It's fished allot, but it has allot of fish.



Watch out for the jet boats and enjoy!