North Chick Gorge July 19 2016
What a difference a thunderstorm makes. I returned to the Mill Site and scouted 3 other locations. At all 4 sites the water was higher, sluggish and green. Very unappealing, and disappointed i was. Remembering another option i headed for the higher water in the Gorge.
Some call it the Blue Hole, others the Pocket Wilderness. It use to be unsafe to park your car here as you had high odds of returning to a broken window. Today it is used by many and on weekends staffed by TWRA officers, and being observant i saw no sign of fresh glass in the gravel. Properly it is referred to as the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge, directing the water's flow off the plateau to the valley below, be it steeply, cutting a cascading gash into the mountain's side. After parking one can follow the bouldered creek downward a short distance or hike upstream for a mile to the Blue Hole or further tieing into other trails. I was content to check out a short length today, convenient and offering near all i would see otherwise.
I arrived about 11 am and noted about 6 or so vehicles already parked. I followed a trail heading downstream to avoid any activity as most folks hike upstream to the blue hole. The water was clear and comfortable. Silt covered the rocks of the first pool i laid in but i was pleased to see a couple nervous Stonerollers, a species i do not recall seeing before in this steep stair stepping series of cascading pools. Kayakers love North Chick because when the Winter's floods come, with adrenaline they ride the rushing torrents to the valley below. They call it "Creeking" and do not show up for work when these conditions present themselves. Today it was quiet but i could see the current higher water level marked on the rocks, maybe an additional 6" above a silt line. there must have been an isolated thunderstorm recently. In addition to the Stonies a Logperch appeared flipping stones in the clean cobbled run, another pleasant surprise. 6 species of Sunfish showed themselves... Bluegill, Redbreast, Green, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass and Longears. Several of the Smallmouths were juveniles sporting their bright yellow tails. I am told of Hellbender DNA in the water but officially none have been found. I suspect there is a nice tributary stream on the plateau that offers a small population refuge. In severe droughts many of these pools dry with most of the water flowing underground, beneath the boulders and cobble. In fact in the valley below the first few miles of stream bed are often dry. Being limestone though this helps buffer out the harsh chemistry as years ago large areas on the plateau were strip mined. Northeastward, near my parent's farm, there use to be green pools in the gray slate mounds of high alkalinity that in our youth we swam in. But i have also heard acidic, so i am not really sure what the chemistry is / was. A bit of research would tell for those interested as there is a North Chickamauga Creek Alliance just as there is one for South Chick. Another surprise was a Rainbow Darter peeking out from under a stone. On a previous visit i had even found a pair of Yellow Perch which mystifies me as to their ability and motivation to ascend the Gorge.
I explored 200 or 300 yards, cautiously rock stepping from pool to pool. It was a wonderful day, blue sky with a couple gentle showers breaking the sunlight. When my first battery expired i returned to the van and noted an additional 20 or so vehicles had arrived. When i returned again at 4 pm there were even more. It is a great place to cool off and many folks take advantage of it during these hot Summers with no school. The only disappointing element is the trash some carelessly leave behind.
Here are a few photos...
Guiding the way in.
Lens already wet, looking downstream towards the valley floor.
The inviting view up the gorge.
Caution! I have never seen hornets build there nest against rock like this. 2 nests were found, identical in their orientation. You better be able to run fast if you ever disturb hornets. I would take a plunge ASAP and hope my snorkel baffle works as advertised. Another good reason to wear a hood too. I can think of nothing worse then mad hornets.
Silt level line 6" below current surface. Small Smallmouth a passing blur. The pockmarks are from the Stonerollers i suspect.
Redbreast cruising over the 1st pool's silt.
Longear, ear trimmed bright white.
I pulled a few stones from the muck and stacked them enjoying their clean reflections. This gorge is filled with round rocks, tumbling down smooth during every rugged storm flow.
Shot above and below. The lens is only about 1/2" x 1" and difficult to gauge, however fun to experiment with. I always enjoy seeing other's split screen shots.
Yellow tailed Smallmouth Bass cruising over the stones after i swept away the silt, checking for any tasty goodness exposed.
Looking upstream a small cascade is exposed, churning oxygen into the water. Most of the Gorge's watery flow is beneath the tumbled stones.
A pair of Loggies working the bits of cobble. Once they are in a pool they are trapped and must hope that particular pool does not dry. Nature can be harsh and the patrolling dinosaur relics, the Blue Herons take full advantage of any fish trapped in the shallows.
Small pools and runs linking each to the larger.
The biggest pool had a stone stack assembled by one of the many who visit these pools to cool in the sweltering Summer. Some reject them but the creek has its way ultimately and there is little here to disturb. Interestingly the bigger pools, those with more human activity seemed much cleaner, free of any silt buildup, i suspect it being washing down to the next smaller pool such as the one i first lay in. I like the reflections of this image as the top third is a reflection. This water is very clear and i am fortunate this site is so close to my home. In the valley last week, several twisting miles downstream, Rob and i counted 26 species in 3 hours. In this rugged gorge i counted about 10 today, a very different habitat.
Species for the day:
Sunfish: Bluegill, Redbreast, Smallmouth, Longear, Rock Bass and Greens.
Stonerollers, Logperch, Rainbow Darter. That be 9 and i have seen a few others in the past. At other similiar regional gorges i see more minnows such as Telescope Shiners. Always a treat to put your mask on and see what is to be seen at each different site.
The most interesting activity i observed today was the nest guarding Green Sunfish. There were 3 distinct males each at their own nest, and each male was distinctly colored. This is the first male and he was very silver white, trimmed in white and quite nervous. But very, very beautiful.
The 2nd Green was more brassy and easier to photograph. His nest was located just a few yards away.
The 3rd Green was the proudest, boldest and even nipped my pinky a few times. Well reasoned as his nest already had eggs to guard. Greenies are often looked down upon and can be quite invasive, washed down from stocked farm ponds above. But these were proud and beautiful fish to see on such a fine day.
It was nice to see a large herd of Stonerollers in the largest pool, flashing bright mirrored sides in the sunlight as they graze.
A last view, artfully blurred by a wet veneer on the lens. How does one snorkel with a dry towel on hand? I keep thinking to try a bit of shammie ™ lanyard'd handy to my camera. My day was ending, as i needed to pickup my youngest from driving school.
A bit of a surprise as i recently discovered a touch of Louisiana just a few miles from North Chickamauga Creek and my old HS. They have been open one year now, and this week half price specials! Besides the tastiness i enjoyed the hand painted folk art signs on the walls. One is passing along a nifty invitation for you Fishheads to visit Chattanooga and the Tennessee Aquarium. I might consider taking the well mannered amongst you to some clear water. I will be doing so this weekend for a small group gathered by a NC man of knowledge, plunging them into the crystal clear and cool Conasauga. Nowhere better to be during these high 90's swelterin' days.
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