rsimms
Well-known member
I may have given up my day job, but I really do still work a lot.... writing and <a href=http://www.chattanoogafishingforum.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=82982&posts=1&start=1>promoting the guide business</a>.
HOWEVER, I sat at the computer way TOO long and about 3 pm I'd had enough. I hooked up the boat and headed for the Riverpark. Since capturing <a href=http://www.chattanoogafishingforum.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=82977&posts=14&start=1>a trophy spot last Sunday</a>, I've sort of been on a "Float & Fly High." Of course F&F is primarily a technique for extremely clear water. But I've always wondered how well it would work on the TN River so I figured, "What the heck. I'll try it."
I fished quite a while with nary a nibble. Then I got distracted looking at my depth finder. When I looked back up, my float was gone, gone, gone! It didn't take long to figure out I was hooked up with a beast... of course I feared it might be a beast of a drum. However the fish made some speed demon runs around the boat, and even moved toward the top as if to jump a couple of times... so I was really thinking, "Smallmouth?"
Using 4-pound test (S.O.S.) line, you don't make anything happen in a hurry... but finally the fish did break the surface and all I saw was brown... LOTS of brown.
Those of you who have played the Float & Fly game, with an 8 - 12 foot leader below a float, know it's a challenge getting a fish in the net even when there are two people. Try doing it with one person. emoEek Trust me, you have to fight 'em to the finish.
21-inches of smallmouth... I was pumped.
Ten minutes later, I saw the float go down this time. Second verse, same as the first ... except this fish was a mere 19 inches. Oh woe is me. emoBigsmile
I fished about two hours and only got two bites... but they were the right bites, and that means life is good and gettin' better every day.
Post-script: I catfished for a couple hours after dark. Nary a nibble.
HOWEVER, I sat at the computer way TOO long and about 3 pm I'd had enough. I hooked up the boat and headed for the Riverpark. Since capturing <a href=http://www.chattanoogafishingforum.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=82977&posts=14&start=1>a trophy spot last Sunday</a>, I've sort of been on a "Float & Fly High." Of course F&F is primarily a technique for extremely clear water. But I've always wondered how well it would work on the TN River so I figured, "What the heck. I'll try it."
I fished quite a while with nary a nibble. Then I got distracted looking at my depth finder. When I looked back up, my float was gone, gone, gone! It didn't take long to figure out I was hooked up with a beast... of course I feared it might be a beast of a drum. However the fish made some speed demon runs around the boat, and even moved toward the top as if to jump a couple of times... so I was really thinking, "Smallmouth?"
Using 4-pound test (S.O.S.) line, you don't make anything happen in a hurry... but finally the fish did break the surface and all I saw was brown... LOTS of brown.
Those of you who have played the Float & Fly game, with an 8 - 12 foot leader below a float, know it's a challenge getting a fish in the net even when there are two people. Try doing it with one person. emoEek Trust me, you have to fight 'em to the finish.
21-inches of smallmouth... I was pumped.
Ten minutes later, I saw the float go down this time. Second verse, same as the first ... except this fish was a mere 19 inches. Oh woe is me. emoBigsmile
I fished about two hours and only got two bites... but they were the right bites, and that means life is good and gettin' better every day.
Post-script: I catfished for a couple hours after dark. Nary a nibble.
