Well I was all set to head to the map study tonight,when my dad called and told me he would be at least 45 minutes late to watch my daughter.So instead of going to the study( I hate to be late to anything) I headed below the dam(on the bank of course). Started throwing a big spook to see if the stripes were hitting. Nothing there so I headed down to the train bridge to try some bass. I was using a pop-r type lure and had some success(4 small spots). After awhile I put on a 7 inch bass pro shops jerk bait( green shad colored) second cast I made,I let the current take it a little and I was just reeling it in slow and it got nailed!! I thought it was probably a stripe,that is until it decides to go airborn. Turns out to be a monster smallmouth!!! I couldn't tell you how much in weighed but easily 5 pounds( I have never seen one that big in person) of course the second time it jumped he decided to spit my lure!! emoVomit I was sick over it for a little while. Well now it's getting dark so I head for the rocks to try the stripe on my jerkbait. Well it didn't take long and I was hooked up! I landed a 21.7 lber man was it fun!! Thankfully there were a couple of guys down on the rocks that had a set of scales. Well after finally getting my lure out of his mouth(he more or less inhaled it) I set him free. I walk back up to were I was fishing(I only use 14 lb test so I have to hop the rocks while the fish take off down river) It took a little while but I hooked up again. This one fought harder ,but was kinda foul hooked. He ended up being 11 lbs even,still a fun fish to catch! Ok so I head back to my spot again,and the very first cast I am hooked up for the 3rd time!! This one was another 20lber, I couldn't turn him for awhile but eventulally I got him right to the bank and was getting ready to lip him and my lure just popped out!!emoRolleyes OH well. After that the stripe just decided they were done for a little while,so I headed home. I tried to get pictures but my camera phone would do the trick( too dark). Man I just had a great trip to Dale Hollow( I will give a full 3 day fishing report when I get my pictures emailed to me) and I come home and catch some nice stripe and almost the smallie of my dreams!! Oh what could have been and what was!!! I do hate that I missed the map study!! I really want to learn to read maps. Maybe next time.emoThumbsup