Spawning Brown Trout????

[Drifter]

In past years I have read in the local fishwrapper about large trout caught in the Hooch during the winter months.

My question is this:
Where are the most desirable places to fish (on the Hooch) for the fall-run Brown Trout. I tend to think they would congregrate below Morgan Falls Dam, Island Ford Shoals, Jones Bridge Shoals, and Buford Dam Spillway.

I know the water is warmer and dirtier below Morgan Falls, but I believe this section may contain the largest Browns. I'm sure there are some large ones coming out of Bull Shoals Lake also.

Thanks in advance for any info.

[Flyguy]

Drifter,

I would have to say that all the places you have mentioned are good in the winter months. ..Not to sure about the area below Morgan falls though. I know Hooker has caught some nice ones there in the winter and early spring, but have not been there my self. The post spawn should produce some bigger fish if you can find some of the reds they are on or have been on which is hard if you are not familiar with the the whole lower part of the Hooch. Alot of the area is only accessable by boat or a float tub.

Sorry to say...but you might have a hard time getting a pin point honey hole out of most of the fishermen on the board. The best thing to do is keep a record of areas that show signs of holding monster trout.


Good Luck.....


Flyguy

[Hooker]

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[Hooker]

Drifter,
In years gone past, Morgan Falls used to be prime water for spawning Browns. In fact there was even a good population of Browns all the way to Six Flags. However, now that the river has warmed up below Morgan Falls because of increases in the concrete surface areas that dump storm runoff into the river, the trout fishery below Morgan Falls has all but disappeared.
I've never observed a spawning "run" of Browns on the Hooch, but they do collect in certain shoal areas where they find gravel to build redds for spawning.
The Brown spawn will shift into high gear on the next full moon, and produce some of the best fishing of the year on the Atlanta Hooch.
As far as specific locations, you're on the right track, keep working your program, and you'll run into them.

Hooker

[elamberth]

It's nice to fish big browns on the spawn,but please watch the redds!!