#10 Stream Implants

“I really think it’s important to show the public how these streams can come back so well if we just give them a chance and make them stable and design them correctly. If you build it right, the wildlife will come back.” Sometimes, a stream just needs a little plastic surgery to help it get back on track. But what are the costs of these limnological face lifts? What do we have to give up in order to get those nice racks of lunker bunkers and soft riffles??

A couple months ago we heard a story about Kentucky’s Wolf Creek Dam and the Cumberland River. If you haven’t heard that whole story yet, I encourage you to do so. It’s called Death of a Tailwater and you can find it on our website or podcast feed. And this week, we’re heading back in the heart of Appalachia, once again just below the Wolf Creek Dam. In addition to the Cumberland river, there’s another smaller stream in the area. It starts at the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, and flows into the Cumberland. Naturally, it’s called Hatchery Creek.

Hatchery Creek is a completely artificial stream that was built to give the trout in the Cumberland River spawning grounds, provide anglers with a recreational catch and release fishery, and help offset negative impacts caused by construction and coal companies on nearby streams. So far, Hatchery Creek has accomplished all of these goals. But like so many things in life, it’s not that simple.

Many thanks to our sponsors Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and Scott Fly Rods.

To check out photos and drone footage taken on Hatchery Creek, follow the link: www.drakemag.com/drakecast/1832-the-drakecast-flyfishing-podcast-10.html