I40 at the Kentucky Lake/Tn River backwaters

I guess I should say first that I'm a truck driver traveling along I40 every day to and from Memphis.

Today as I was coming East and coming down the big hill, I always check out the back waters before I hit the bridge going over the river. Well, it must be good to go for the Crappie. I saw about 8 boats out there doing the spider rigs and although I didn't see anybody pulling a fish out, there must have been some action. Any of you guys out there today?

Looks like where Bream Reaper said he was going to be last weekend, but with the rain and wind I wonder.....

I wonder if that's what happened to that truck driver that went over the bridge there a while back. They need to put up blinders so that crappie addicted truck drivers can't take a look see. :D

Seriously though, what did the water look like going over the bridge in the main river? I'm wanna hit that area Sat. I won't be in the tie yard but not on the main river either.

Thanks hankll,

The Hound

I am wondering too. When they talk about the tie yard are they talking about the south side of 40?? I have fished the north side directly behind Cuba Landing Marina but don't know how to get to the stake beds on the south side of the interstate. I'm thinking about trying it this weekend and I am definetly going tomorrow but may try Pebble Isle since the water is up and I am more familiar with where all the stake beds are there.

The tie yard is on the south side of I-40 and on the opposite bank of Cuba.

The Hound

What's the best way to get there. Looking at my map it seems like you go straight across from the opening of the Marina. I am wondering how out of the wind it is as well. Got a 21 ft pontoon which is like fishin' in a parachute when it's windy.

GOING EAST. Take Birdsong exit turn left and then directly right on the first dirt road called Ward Hill Rd. Take that all way to Nix Landing, turn left and you will see the ramp.

The Hound

Oh no! You can't get a pontoon in down there.

The Hound

Thanks. May give it a shot this weekend.

The water looked to be up pretty good with a few boats fishing the East Channel edges, and a little trash in the water. So the Tie Yard is the back waters I mentioned?

Crappie Hound - You won't believe it, but I was just in front of that truck driver when he went over - close enough that I saw in my mirror, his exhaust stack sliding down I40 just behind my trailer , and looked back in other mirror and saw black smoke in the air where he had already gone over. Maybe he was doing what I do, but from all reports he was doing well over 80 when his steer tire blew.:confused: and since I don't have that kinda speed in my slow truck, I get to sight see.

You may need to call the refuge office at 731-642-2091.Some buddys just called and said they had a cable up and a sign that said Closed due to high water at the tieyard.What does high water have to do with it being closed.Doesnt make sense.

Hey yea, water was up a lot more than yesterday when I went by, and the "closed" condition explains why there wasn't anybody fishing today. I went through there about 9:30 AM goin East and not soul on river or on the back waters area. Looked to be up a good 1-2' more than yesterday.

KyLaker, maybe they meant current is moving too fast? Which maybe they think some one would have to be rescued and they don't feel like it on Good Friday?

when the water reaches above norm levels that is the safety procedure they enforce to keep boaters and fisherman safe. that is why they have the water level system

They shouldnt be any more current in there than on the river.Youre in a boat,its not a class such and such rapid.If thats the case,shut all of Ky Lake down due to high water.My 2 cents.

So they really closed the tie yard down? There goes my plans for tomorrow. I don't want to fight the wind on the big water.

They are probably mad still b/c I heard somebody cut the cable last weekend.

Guys the road to get down in there isn't very good. There is probably water running over portions of it. As for someone cutting the cable, that's a knucklehead thing to do and those types of people are the very ones that will call and want rescuing from thier own stupidty.

There is plenty of slack water that you can fish on the Tenn. river tomm. Just look at the map. :D

The Hound

Hey I heard a few minutes ago that yesterday the water was up over the parking area down there about a foot or so. That is probably why they closed it. You can't put in if you can't see the ramp. I heard the cable was cut on opening day because no one could get a hold of the fish and wildlife service. Someone got impatient as people were lining up and decided to make their own way in. Just what I heard. You know how things get changed as they are passed to the back of the line.

They should have cut the lock and not the cable. Those things ain't cheap but I can see how that could be the case. A foot over what parking lot? Morgan Creek or the parking lot for the tie yard? I was hoping to put in at Morgan tomm. Sounds kind of dicey. I'll have to go check it out I guess.

The Hound

I heard the water is over the tie yard parking lot at nix landing.

I spoke with FIsh and Wildlife on the way out of the tie yard opening day. SHe told me it was cabled off because of the roadway. The guy behind me gave her an ear full about not posting that is would be closed. I don't blame him. They should have put up a sign. The old man said that there were 20 vehicles and boats down here. He said it would have taken 4 or 5 hours to get everyone out backwards.

I'd probably done the same thing in that situation. That road has been very rough in the past.

The Hound

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CrappieHound

Guys the road to get down in there isn't very good. There is probably water running over portions of it. As for someone cutting the cable, that's a knucklehead thing to do and those types of people are the very ones that will call and want rescuing from thier own stupidty.

There is plenty of slack water that you can fish on the Tenn. river tomm. Just look at the map. :D

The Hound

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Ditto . Better safe than sorry they didn't close it .