Delano Fishing

[takenoprisoners]

I hate to ask another question, because I feel like that's all I do. But I promise once I get something in my head worth sharing, I'll do it.

This time, my question involves night fishing near Delano, TN.

There's a kid in youth group who lives up that way and I'd like to take him fishing. My wife wisely says we should try to do it up there somewhere so I don't have to drive as far to get him home when we're done...which will be super late/early morning.

Anyway, he's pretty close to the Hiwassee River (really close, actually), but I would prefer to take the boat out and do some crappie fishing at lit up docks. Yes, my new love.

Is this possible anywhere out there? And if so, are the crappie ok to eat that I'll be catching? Any help on where to put a boat in would be appreciated. And if it would be better to stick to the Chick, please let me know that as well. He can crash at my place after fishing, so it's not a really big deal.

Thanks in advance.

P.S. Safety matters, too. So if the parking lot gets hit a lot by vandals/thieves, please note this as well.

 

[basscrazy]

Well if your looking to catch crappie you should definitely stay on the chick or even the 58 area the crappie are only in the Delano part of the hiwassee for a few months out of the year. After that that are very few and far between.

 

[takenoprisoners]

That's what I was thinking. Suppose I could expand to something else, but after such good fortune last time on the Chick, I'd like to do it again (make sure I catch something). Thanks!

 

[Shark]

Why not try a night time cat fishing or day time trout using canned corn if he lives close to the Hiwassee? Make it a mini camping trip - take snacks, drinks, fresh water, soap, hand towels and sleeping blankets to nap in while waiting for them to bite or just spend the rest of the night after fishing. emoThumbsup

If you really wanted to make this a memorable trip, go early and have a small cookout prior to getting ready to fish for the evening. Do it right and you'll have very little to take back with you. Use, plastic forks, spoons and knives, paper cups, paper plates a sheet of foil to cook burgers or hotdog's on and just enough buns for the burgers. If any thing else is wanted to eat along with the burgers, just put it into zip lock bags. It all will easily burn in a campfire and leave no trace or litter. The campfire will be burning for several more hours so nothing will be left and it can be used for light to see while fishing. Of course the soap and water is to clean your hands before eating and after fishing, lol.

Even though soda cans will melt in the fire, it's hard to totally get rid of the metal, so please do not toss cans into the fire. If you use plastic drinks for your outing, then they can be burned and not be hauled back. If you are worried about air pollution, then just bring a trash bag and throw everything into it and dispose of after getting home. You can even make this a bigger learning experience and teach the boy about keeping the environment safe for future outings and pick up trash left by inconsiderate others. Leave it cleaner than when you arrived. emoGeezer

Dang, this brings back memories of going with my dad and taking my son fishing. Great memories from the boy scouts and numerous camping trips.

Hope any of this helps

 

[takenoprisoners]

Shark,

I'd love to do an overnight something. Think I may try to do it with a group of youth kids sometime this summer. But this time, I've only got a few hours - after my own little ones go to bed - and I've gotta be back to work the next day.

But have no fear - once I get out there and take your advice, I'll post about our adventures!

All the best

 

[Bass2Bass]

I'm new to CFF. But do know quite a bit about the hiwassee you can catch channel cats all night long near two rivers. Plus its getting close to the time of the year where you can catch monster stripers up there! So I wouldn't count out the hiwassee just yet. I don't have a boat yet and live close to the hiwassee so its came to be the only place I ever get to fish anymore. Trust me I miss my bass fishing but you can catch a good mix of fish any day that would make any kids day.

 

[takenoprisoners]

Oh, I still love the Hiwassee. The problem is I don't have time to fish during the day for a bit, so we were going to go night fishing. I also don't have great lighting inside my tiny boat, so I need to hit places with docks that are well lit. Hahaha... So many issues, I know.

But thanks for the tip. Think I may get up there and hunt down some striper once I have some daylight to do it in.

 

[Bass2Bass]

Two rivers camp ground has a ramp with a little lighting you can catch cats there any night plus stripers should be getting close to that area, and can catch them at night also.

 

[takenoprisoners]

Seriously? Awesome! Think I'll look it up to see where it is. Do you have to camp there to launch after dark?

 

[takenoprisoners]

Or would I even need to take the boat?

 

[Bass2Bass]

You can pay to just use the ramp or camp. would not take a fiberglass boat (too many shallow spots with strong current that will push you up on them if the ocoee and hiwassee are both generating.) So a alumnium boat with a good anchor or rope to tie off with would be what i would use, and you will catch cats all night as long as you have livers. And if you hear big splashes then the stripers are busting big shads next to the banks.

 

[takenoprisoners]

Right on! Good thing my little boat's an aluminum. Now I'm anxious to get out there. Thanks for the tips! May just make it a camping trip in a few weeks.

 

[Bass2Bass]

No problem. That's what we do is make it a fishing camping trip when we go there.