@ River Mongrel: Possum Kingdom is not the same as Whitney so why would you even compare them? If some are wanting to take on the challenge, more power to them. But no one should be told they are less a yakker because they chose to be prudent. I kayak offshore in water temps in the mid 30's. That doesn't make me a better kayaker, just a personal choice to take the risk. I would not kayak in a high current any time of year if for no other reason personal preference.

I called the COE this morning and they did not have a schedule for this weekend at Whitney. I am hoping they ease of a bit, the lake level is below pool now I believe.

Mongrel & I took this off line for a bit. I'd like to make a few points then I'll shut up. A lot of us that used to post regularly here no longer do. There's a reason for that, but that's getting off topic. Mojo is merely trying to give a heads up to guys that may not realize the risks of the current and cold water temps. Don't assume a life jacket will save you from succumbing to hypothermia if you go into the water. You may have only minutes to get out before you will no longer be able to help yourself. Your life jacket will only make it easier to find your body. Everyone needs to realize their own limitations and tolerance of risk.

My understanding is the gate was closed because some folks got into trouble and almost didn't make it. There's been several deaths lately and some have been kayak related. I'd hate to see anyone die there and it's not hard to imagine a lawsuit would follow. So the gate gets closed.

Be safe, watch the gauges, and let's look out for each other.

I agree with everyone on here. It's a personal choice. Just got to be careful. It may be im just not smart enough to say no to fishing! Good luck and keep em tight.

I've been known to get in a fold up boat with a 5 hp outboard while 70,000 cfs was coming out of Texoma dam! So yea I'm not sceerd. Or stupid however you want to look at it.

I'll be glad when they stop releasing that much I've really missed fishing down there this winter. As for the flow even when they are just generating and the flow gets up to almost 3000 cfs that narrow river flows fast. I don't want any part of 6-8000 cfs.

Yep if you get down where it bottles it will get fast in hurry. Best try to stay up in slower pool opposite of the gate thts cracked or down.

Just know that if that gate is closed, it is for your own safety. No fishing trip is worth an empty seat at the dinner table. For now, I will leave the swift currents and cold waters to the more serious kayak anglers and fish safer waters myself.

Kayaking it and fishing it are 2 different things.

^^^this

Trying to paddle or pedal against 6000 cfs to maintain position/angles is gonna get old real quick. River Mongrel may think that's a good time and low risk, but I'm with Lusca and Joe, two guys who know that stretch as well as anyone. Jumping the gate to fish down there right now just ain't worth it. If you're new to kayaking, you should understand that most very experienced yak fishermen are steering clear if there for good reason.

Yes again I agree. To each his own. There are places to be in a kayak and there are places not to be in a kayak. All depends on wich gate the water is coming out of,where you choose to tie up or anchor and probably most important most of the time this time of year, the temp of the water. Didn't mean to ruffle any feathers. I mean armadillo even said what I said. He said hell let the more serious anglers do it for now. I geuss im more serious about fishing. Or in other words not much is gunna stop me from doing it. There is a pretty good sized area for slack water close to dam at Pk dam before it bottle necks. That's where I fished it. Its been a while since I fished whitney when they were releasing but I have been down there and fished it. If the most western gates are down I guarantee there is ample slack water to tie up and fish out under the fast water. That's where the striper are, right on the bottom holding on rocks,brush ect.Good luck if you decide to tempt fate. But one thing is for sure they are not gunna close the river if someone drowns.LOL

Do it and video it, I wanna see it.

Mongrel, you told me you've never fished there. Now you say you have. You've had a yak for a little over a year. I don't know why you think being serious equates to whether or not one fishes in the current conditions. Anchoring in fast current can be very tricky business. Especially when it's time to pull up the anchor. What you do is your business. I just hope & pray for the sake of your wife & kid you don't wind up finding out the hard way what your limits are.

Everything is OK until it's not, at the current water temps that could be a quick death, IMO.