New guy from east TN

[Volzfan59]

I guess it's strange to have a guy from east TN joining a Ozarks fishing forum. I love smallmouth bass fishing! I love river and creek fishing, also kayak and canoe fishing. I own a book about the good old days of Ozark fishing, entitled "Rivers to Run" by Larry Dablemont. I've read it so many times the cover's worn off. Between all of that, I stumbled across this forum. I hope to learn more and participate. Coming over that way to fish is on my bucket list.

 

About me, I'm a Army veteran. I retired in 2013 from a 35 year Law Enforcement career. Worked at Bass Pro Shop for four years after retirement. I got tried of the corporate b/s after the Cabela's buyout and left. I now work three days a week delivering auto parts for a family owned shop. Fishing has always been my safe place, my solace if you will. Now it's pretty much my passion. My wife has also retired from a 30 year Law Enforcement career. Two son's, one is in the medical field, the other is making a career in the United States Coast Guard. Two grand kids that are the light of my life.

[Dutch]

Welcome to the forum.  We have some good fishing at times around here.  Dale Hollow smallmouth would be on my bucket list if I had one.

[MoCarp]

 Welcome to the forum🤙

[Old plug]

i have a couple of friends in Eastern Tenn. You might here a lot about the streams here in the Ozark. But remember Its a old book. They may not be what the book described now days. You have some very fine waters there in Tenn. 

[Flysmallie]

10 minutes ago, Old plug said:

They may not be what the book described now days. 

True. Some of them are even better. 

[Haulin Bass]

DILLY DILLY

 

[Old plug]

On 11/19/2018 at 9:24 AM, Flysmallie said:

True. Some of them are even better. 

 He did not say when the book he read was published. So yes and no. Maybe some are better but I doubt it.. It depends a great deal I guess on the time frame your viewing them thru. With regulations they are much better. Back 60+ yrs ago when My wife grandfather use to regularly fish with Dynamite on the Maramec River in Crawford county. That stuff like gigging is not good.  . In the early 60s I used to float that river from the birds nest all the way down to Onondaga almost weekly.  it was peaceful life renewing thing. Now days it is overrun with tubes, jet boats and drunks. Like I have said on here before. I returned to the River some yers back because of a friends funeral In Leasburg.  While ther I went down to the river at Onondaga Cave to take a look. What i seen in that commercial mess made me sick.I have never went back and never will. We did not have big jet boats, tubes and beer cans floating all over in the water back then. I do not believe commercialization  has benefitted the rivers in any way  I cannot understand why there are not several drownings every year resulting from encounters between those tubes floaters and root wads especial when they happen in a blind curve shoot. 

 

 

 

 

 

[jdmidwest]

Can't beat that Dabblemont book for good reading.  Looking forward to hearing some Dale Hollow stories too.  Being from east TN, there should be some good high mountain trout stories too.

[Volzfan59]

I wish that I had some good Dale Hollow stories! I've fished there three times back in the early 90's I think? Pretty much stunk up the place, although it's a great fishery. I enjoy Center Hill, Norris and Cherokee for lake smallmouth fishing.

For me, I'd rather hit the Holston, French Broad or the Upper Clinch for river smallie fishing. I love river fishing!

As far as high mountain trout fishing, I've been up there a couple of times. One of my close friends is a fly fishing trout guide up there. We caught quite a few, but I'm not really a fly expert. Pretty much did what I was told! For trout, I usually hit the lower Clinch, Caney Fork rivers and a few creeks. Much more of a U/L spinning rod, 2 lb test and rooster tails kind of guy

[Gavin]

Still plenty of good smally water in the Ozarks. Most of it is not served  by a canoe rental, but some of the high use rental areas can fish really well even with a bunch of tubers on the water. All that traffic stirs up the food and moves fish into little spots were people are not.