Hiwassee River / Friday May 22
Andrew, Nate & i gathered alongside the Hiwassee River, just upstream of 411 for the start of a 3 day snorkeling adventure. There are several nice sites near my home and these 2 are among my favorites.
Looking downstream from the center of the Hiwassee River, at the site we use for organized snorkel trips with the Cherokee National Forest. Blue skies, clear water and the dam release delayed into the late afternoon made for a fine day.
Vibrant Banded Darter. Electric green and confident. Zonale.
I'm disturbed by the excessive growth of this bright clean algae. I do not recall ever seeing so much and it appears to be smothering the lush growths of River Weed which carpets many of the larger stones. In the past i considered the Hiwassee one of the most beautiful substrates in the region.
Now what?
Snail Darter, pretty common along this stretch of wide, shallow runs. Those saddles make for a distinct and quick ID.
Young Tangerine, about 13 years old i suspect, in people years.
Gilts, Tangerine and a Loggie, a trio of species. My camera began to leak at this point, the viewscreen being slowly blanked by an expanding whiteness from the upper left corner. Unfortunatly and not photographed by me were handsome Tangerines and a series of reactivated River Chub mounds flush with Shiners. I ended up working with Andrew and Nate pushing subject material in front of their cameras. Working like this can increase photo opportunities instead of the fish fleeing away from the ever encroaching lens. Hopefully their photos turned out with the enthusiasm we felt.
I spotted this Darter among the submerged tree branches. It appeared to be climbing the branches and it is their noted habitat. I think this is the first time i spied a Dusky here. Nate was nearby watching the Suckers and lent me his camera while i pulled myself deep to snap a few shots for the records.
In reviewing the species observed over an early dinner of no Cathead Biscuits in nearby Benton we came up with 32:
Lamprey ( on a Drum ).
Longnose Gar.
Shiners: TN, Warpaint, Whitetail, Striped, & Mirror.
Stonerollers, River Chubs.
Darters: Gilt, Logperch, Banded, Redline, Tennessee Snub, Greenside, Tangerine,
Blueside, Snail, Dusky and Yellow Perch.
Rainbow Trout.
Hogsucker, Redhorse ( Black & Golden according to Nate ), Spotted Sucker.
Sculpin.
Sunfish: Bluegill, Redbreast, White Bass, Small Mouth Bass and a Coosa Bass.
No Hellbenders.
I'm sure we could have gotten more species with an attentive search. The water was very cold and after several hours immersed in the Hiwassee we headed to Spring Creek in hopes of seeing some Blotchsides but the low light, murky water, fatique and the pressing drive only allowed for a quick snorkel dip and rinse. After picking up some groceries we arrived at the Conasauga but as expected the riverside camp sites were overflowing. After scouting the Snorkel Hole we drove 3 miles to a site i use and claimed a tall grass overgrown space.
The evening was star filled, our spirits gently settled and were considering a peaceful dreamtime when revving trucks arrived with headlights glaring, a clankering trailer in tow, and naying horses unloaded, setting aflame by gasoline a green patch of grass followed by an all night session of obnoxious bonfire drinkers.
Edited by Casper, 28 May 2015 - 08:23 PM.