This river is throwing me for a loop. I don't know where the channels run. I don't trust the old depth finder on my boat. Is there an app or map I can download to help me stay in the deeper channel and not beach my pontoon. I have always fished familiar waters and really don't know what you do when you fish new water. Do you order a map? Is there places to see online how the channel runs? Any help greatly appreciated.

Buzz the guys over at West End Outdoors and check. They probably have a map or know of a way to help.

(256) 233-1633

Last time I was on it the guy I was with zig-zagged enough to remind me of an EKG readout.

Good luck!

Navionics may be your answer. They have an online chart viewer and an app for your smart phone. Rivers can change over time with silt/sand gravel bars changing the channel locations so I would not totally rely on a map that may be years old. Go slow in areas that you are not certain about and might be a good time to get a new depth finder. I wouldn't think the lower end of Elk would change much with silt but the area near Elk River Mills Rd may be subject to channel changes.

David

Turn the depth finder off. Hammer down. Trim it up!

I'm a poor man that loves my prop and lower unit too much to do that.

David

How far up you gonna be running? My Lake Master card shows river detail all the way up to Gallus Island right below AL HWY 153. If you’re depth finder unit isn’t compatible, you can get the Humminbird Fish Smart app on your phone or tablet and download the Wheeler Lake map and use it for navigation. I think its $29 for the map.

Edit…Gallus Island appears to be over 20 miles upriver from Rogersville. This should have you covered.

Thanks guys. I downloaded the navionics app and will play with it. Next up is the hummingbird fish smart app.

Late to the conversation here but the Elk River above 72 is tricky to navigate. The channels generally follow the bluffs. In places the channel is 30' deep and in a half mile it's 15 or less. There's one spot that it's barely 10' at winter pool. There is a LOT of timber along the banks of the upper Elk that comes loose and may lodge in the middle of the channel. Above Sportsman's Park is relatively easy if you stay in the middle of the channel although it's easy to mistake the mouth of Sugar Creek for the channel and another slough on the right that's the same way. Above Highway 99 there is a submerged island and a couple of spots where the channel is shallow from bank to bank. Many a lower unit has been damaged on the Elk.

Chillinhunt. Is right. But it’s great fishing