2011 Fall Pickwick, Tn Gathering-- Sept. 23, 24, 25

[oh no]

Hey OhNo, I ain't trying to rain on your parade (there is that blame rain again) but the park rangers at Pickwick
are kinda rough on beer drinkers so you might want to try to keep it low key. Just tryin to help a brother out.

This is my second time going so I know the drill. I should get there Friday afternoon or evening,, leaving here hopefully early Friday morning.

[Veets]

We are expecting to leave the Quad Cities around 6 a.m. tomorrow. Not sure what time we'll get there but hopefully it will still be light (and dry) when we do. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

[punkin570]

I want to wish everyone headin out tomorrow or the following days a safe trip. The roads may be wet and the fog may be thick in areas but I hope everyone has a easy and successful trip here and back. No matter what weather conditions we have this weekend, I have complete confidence that we will have a grand time. How could we not have a grand time, I mean look at the group that will be there. Party Central I tell ya. I dont believe there is a cooler group around and I feel blessed to know this is the one I choose to spend my weekend with. If any of you need me for any reason, my number is 662-665-1697 (dont be writin that on no bathroom stall walls tho, Pete.. I know what you were thinkin, lol). I will have to work probably til noon on Wednesday and then again on Thursday, but Hershell and Levoyd will be bringin the camper and boat up there Wednesday morning and gettin things set up, I will be up there when I get off work. Newton, I hate that you wont make it, hope things work out for ya to hang with us next time around. THE TIME IS HERE.....THE WEEK WE ALL BEEN WAITIN A YEAR FOR....TOMORROW CANT GET HERE FAST ENOUGH..... BIG HUGS TO EVERYONE, SEE YA THERE!!!!!...................You get a line, I'll get a pole, Honeyyyyyyyy; You get a line, I'll get a pole, Baaaaaaaaabe; You get a line, I'll get a pole, we'll meet down by the fishin hole, Honeyyyy ohh Baaaabyy, Yeahhhhhh!!!!... :)

[TnRivershark]

How is the water after all of the rain?

[punkin570]

How is the water after all of the rain?

Kevin, I am gettin updates from Willard as we speak... of course hes textin and you know how old farts are bout textin, lol. ......I asked how the water conditions are.. I was sure he would say wet, but he said that its crystal clear, movin and damp. I have asked bout gates and turbines but Im sittin here waitin for a reply.

[TnRivershark]

Kevin, I am gettin updates from Willard as we speak... of course hes textin and you know how old farts are bout textin, lol. ......I asked how the water conditions are.. I was sure he would say wet, but he said that its crystal clear, movin and damp. I have asked bout gates and turbines but Im sittin here waitin for a reply.

Thanks Punkin, the flood gates are my main concern.

[punkin570]

Thanks Punkin, the flood gates are my main concern.

Kevin, Willard is tellin me all the generators are on and no gates are open. Griz and Pete have made it up there already too.

[Michael Jake]

I wish everyone a great time, been waiting to see if I could make but looks like it ain't gonna happen. Ya all enjoy the food and fellowship and show us some pics of it all.

[lilgriz]

Me and my bunch made it here bout 7:00 or so. Got just enough gear set up to make it thru the night, get the rest up tomorrow. Cant wait to see everyone. Be careful traveling in! C yall soon

[ShilohRed]

Here's a thread for Pickwick water release. TVA: Pickwick Picwwick can run up to 80,000 CFS before opening any flood gates. There was not enough ran to get the flood gates open of it they do it will only make fishing better..

Then here's one more link to the water release National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service For the lake the top of the flood gates I think is 418 Ft above Sea level and normal these days below the dam is 356 where it used to be 360. The water here will raise and fall on avrage 6 ft or so each day from am to late evening. So if you leave a boat on the bank out from the camp grounds expect it to be high and dry the next am..
The first 5 miles of river is tough to anchor fish for barge traffic as they take up the whole channel. So if your fishing and see or hear one better get out of Dodge. Now this section of the river can and does hold the best Channel catfishing around. Double digit channles are easy to come by from the ramp down to where the rock bank plays out. Most of the bottom is pea gravel or limestone. Right along the green channel markers the water gets shallow fast from there to the east bank. But it holds good channel catfish. The west bank in close will hold both Channel and blues right on the drop off into the channel. But expect to have your line broke a few times. As these rocks will cut the line when a 15 to 20 lb channel hits like a freight train. LOL