Hiwassee 10-22

[jason]

Overcast and wind from the west...couldn't ask for better conditions. We started out across from Price Creek, on the laydown Ranman pointed out, and continued upriver. We hit every newly exposed laydown on the east side of the channel all the way up to Roger's Creek. The fish were aggressive; I spent the day slow-rolling a 1/4oz Booyah spinnerbait and my father-in-law used a Lucky Craft Flat CB in citrus shad. In the really nasty laydowns, I pitched a junebug Zoom Magnum lizard for the fat largemouth that weren't in the chasing mood. It was one of those days in which you stop counting the fish and count your blessings to be on the river during prime conditions.

 

[polo-dog]

jason, great to hear that you and your f-i-law had such a good day. Were most of the fish on the shore? Were they running balls of shad along the banks? The fish in Wolftever and Harrison bay were much less agressive today as compared to earlier this week. I wonder what the difference is. Was there much current in the river?

 

[jason]

All the bass we caught were in the shallows on wood; from 3-8 feet and located close to deep water. Even though the water temp was down to 69 degrees, we didn't see any baitfish activity or surface action. That's not too say there wasn't a jump going on in the creek channels and coves; we stuck with the main channel. I think the overcast, windy conditions just turned them on.

 

[ranman]

Good job Jason! Did you get anything off of that laydown?I don't know whats been up with the baitfish on the river this year.The only place I've really seen any numbers was in gunstocker buy the new bridge rip rap.usually the entire river is covered with them every afternoon bu late summer.It's been a strange year!

 

[jason]

Ranamn, we caught 4 or 5 off that first laydown. The best one, as far as quality bass, was located upriver just past a non-descript wooden dock that always has its light on. It was just a little ways before Roger's Creek. The laydown lies paralell to the shore and the submerged edges dip into around 8'. Just past it, the shoreline turns to rock and there is some good submerged wood there.

 

[ranman]

You found it! thats were my biggest bass this year came from, on that sunday before one of my dog fights.

 

[jason]

The whole area upstream of the 58 bridge is rather new to us...usually when you attempt to fish the main channel you spend most of you're time trying not to fall overboard from the pleasure boat traffic. Will that area of the river be closed November 1st? Or is it not within the refuge?

 

[JC1]

Upstream of the 58 bridge is open year round. Only the area surrounded by the refuge has the restrictions.JC1

 

[jason]

My father-in-law will be glad to hear that! He was pretty bummed about the idea of driving down to Wolftever from Cleveland.