Friday, March 17, 2017

Cathey and I at Flintville Hatchery

Cathey and I recently spent an afternoon in the little community of Flintville Tennessee.  It’s an area in Tennessee with beautiful rolling hills, deep ravines, and small clear streams. All of the above characteristics in this little community contribute to one of the oldest fish hatcheries in the state of Tennessee. Numerous clear springs are located at the bottom of the ravines, which provide the cold water to keep all the rainbow trout alive in the Flintville Trout Hatchery. The director told us that the water is harness from nine springs and pumped through the indoor tanks and outdoor concrete trays. The indoor tanks whole the smaller trout from ¾” to 3” fingerlings: while 300 yards of concrete trays 6 ft. wide 2 to 3 ft. deep outdoors house the largest trout. The outdoor trout range from 4” to 12” in size. Once the trout reach the 12” size then they are transferred to Tim’s Ford tailrace and warm water streams in a 100-mile radius of the hatchery. There are numerous warm water streams in middle Tennessee that receive rainbow trout during the months of December, January, February, and March. During those months the water temp is cold enough to sustain life for the hundreds of rainbow that are release in the streams. Very few trout survive after April once the water temps move into the upper 60’s. In fact, most are caught before the temperature takes a toll on them.

  This is my second trip to a fish hatchery and today’s visit was the better of the two. The director made the visit very informative and interesting during the hour tour. I am sure most of you have toured a hatchery before, but for those of you who haven’t, it is worth the time spent. 
Numerous indoor tanks containing the smaller rainbow
Sorry for the reflection--thousands of tiny rainbow, most still have the egg yoke attach to their stomach--these tiny trout will be twelve inches in a year
Quite a find, a smaller tank inside with albino trout
Yards of outdoor concrete trays containing larger trout--a lot of these trays had screens on them
  Feeding time, quite a frenzy!!!
This trip really got me pumped for the coming season; this post is part one. In the coming weeks, I will share with you'll part 2 fishing McCutcheon Creek in Spring Hill where some of the trout was stocked today. I live about four miles from the warm water stream.
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15 comments:

  1. cofisherMarch 17, 2017 at 9:55 PM

    Well done Bill! A most interesting post. I visited a hatchery once many years ago and it was an unforgettable experience. Can't wait for part 2.

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  2. AnonymousMarch 17, 2017 at 10:39 PM

    Well worth the time and effort to see things from the other side of the perspective, Bill. To see the fish from basically the beginning to the end in a Hatchery setting sure can whet the appetite for sure. Looking forward to your report on the small creek fishing in your area.............

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  3. Bill TrussellMarch 18, 2017 at 10:34 AM

    Howard
    What made this hatchery special were the springs and of course the of close contact with the trout. Thanks for sharing

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  4. Bill TrussellMarch 18, 2017 at 10:36 AM

    Mel
    If I was going to carry anyone to see a trout fishing hatchery this would be the one I would choose. Thanks for sharing

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  5. Brk TrtMarch 18, 2017 at 8:23 PM

    Hatcheries are necessary for today's supplement of trout.
    Folks love fishing for them. Some of the stocked trout that are raised in sandy bottomed ponds actually look almost wild.

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  6. penbaymanMarch 19, 2017 at 7:15 AM

    Hatchery tours are wonderful..thanks for posting..

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  7. Mark KautzMarch 19, 2017 at 5:56 PM

    Fish hatcheries are always fun and the fish are so appreciative when you feed them.

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  8. Bill TrussellMarch 20, 2017 at 9:00 AM

    Alan
    True they are the lifeblood of a lot of streams and tailraces we fish. Thanks for the comment

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  9. Bill TrussellMarch 20, 2017 at 9:01 AM

    Mark
    I may carry my oldest Grandson to Flintville over spring break. Thanks for the comment

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  10. Bill TrussellMarch 20, 2017 at 9:03 AM

    Pen
    Great road trip even for individuals who don't fish. thanks for the comment

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  11. rivertopramblesMarch 20, 2017 at 7:21 PM

    Hatcheries are necessary for modern trout fishing, as in stocking the state's "warm water" streams that you indicate. My complaint against their operations comes when trout are stocked in cold water streams where the wild fish really don't need the competition. But in any case, they are fun to visit, and I'm glad you enjoyed the tour!

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  12. THE RIVER DAMSELMarch 20, 2017 at 10:38 PM

    Cool. Can't wait to see what Part 2 brings! Hopefully, some nice fish for you!

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  13. Bill TrussellMarch 22, 2017 at 9:07 AM

    Emily
    Part 2 in the works---thanks for the comment

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  14. Bill TrussellMarch 22, 2017 at 9:13 AM

    Walt
    The closet wild streams near me are in the Great Smokey Mountain State Park. All the tailraces within a couple hours of me are all stocked. Warm water stream stocking is debatable for me which I will expand on more in my next post. Thanks for the comment

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  15. UnknownMarch 25, 2017 at 5:35 PM

    The albino trout are really cool, didn't expect to see them.

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