Smokies Smallies

[snagged in outlet 3]

Stopped here on the way to SC.   I’ve hit this roadside creek several times over the years.  Never disappoints.   I caught 5 in 2.5 hours.  2 real nice ones!  Small stretch I can only access from shore.  Maybe 200 yards of broken bottom 2-5’ deep water.  Smoked (pun intended) @Mitch fs fugitive swim bait.  It travels well!   They were acrobatic and fought hard.   Even caught a trout on a senko!   On to SC.  
 

[Mitch f]

Great job, Pete!

[Johnsfolly]

I love spots like that one. Great job Pete and love the photos🤣!

[Flysmallie]

20 hours ago, Johnsfolly said:

Great job Pete and love the photos🤣!

You guys are suckers for crappy photos. LOL

[Foghorn]

Sure looks like a good way to take a rest break from driving. Awesome Pete!

[snagged in outlet 3]

2 hours ago, Flysmallie said:

You guys are suckers for crappy photos. LOL

Evidence photos from the crime scene 😀

[Terrierman]

We're heading to Cherokee NC in May.  We'll take some gear too.  Nice stop Pete!

[snagged in outlet 3]

2 hours ago, Terrierman said:

We're heading to Cherokee NC in May.  We'll take some gear too.  Nice stop Pete!

The drive from Gatlinburg to Cherokee through the park is absolutely awesome!!   We liked it in the winter too.  Between the snow and the “smoke” in the mountains it was stunning.  

[jdmidwest]

Just read this,  thinking "Smoked Smallies" when I saw it....

[mzrealfish]

I just got back from visiting my daughter in Columbia, SC.

Left KC with a Samsung came home with an IPhone so lost some photos.  Samsung quit taking a charge even on a pad.

I walked the river walks and fished the Saluda and Congaree in Columbia.  Pretty frequent access on both rivers if you are willing  to walk.  I had a blast scoping out sights for my daughter who just started grad school there.  Caught 2 little stripers and 2 little smallmouth all on white swim shad on a Ned.

I floated the New river in northern NC with my dad for Father’s Day.  We caught some goggle eye, rainbows and smallmouth all on white tiger cranks and senkos.

I then went to to French Broad and kayaked for the 1st time in my life.   Chris at Lazy Otter was a great host.  Sadly, the river was up and chocolate milk.  Fun float, zero fish.  I hit a couple of accesses between Asheville and Hot Springs.  Water was better quality.  Caught 8 smallmouth all on a rainbow trout print rooster tail.  Lost a big 1 in the current.  Bent out 2 of the hooks in the battle.  I got to see her jump before she said goodbye.  Easy 3 pounder.

At that point, my Samsung died its last death.  Headed to Knoxville and spent 2 hours at tmoblie.  Not the highlight of my trip.  

Stayed the night in Corbin, Kentucky.  Sat at the bar at a pizzeria by my hotel.  Was almost involved in a bar fight.  2 guys, 1 on each side of me talking about the Piston’s coach getting fired but still getting paid 65 million left on his contract.  The guy on my right was with his wife.  He said “man, what I could do with 65 million!”  Guy on the left said “you mean 32.5 million because she sure as hell would be taking half and leaving you!”

I unrolled the silverware set and thankfully there was a steak knife.  I casually placed it just to my right.  I learned from that experience to always sit at the end of the bar.  Always.

Got on the Cumberland river with Sheltowee Trace Adventures the next morning.  Mostly pastureland there.  Not many riffles but good spots with big boulders.  I didn’t catch anything big but had a great time.  18 smallmouth and 8 spotted.  White senko weedless with no weight and top water mouse were very effective.  Probably missed 60 strikes on the mouse but that is a me problem not the lure😏

I was supposed to head home the next day but decided to kayak the Elkhorn Creek outside of Frankfort, Ky instead.  This was an expensive float but worthwhile.  White swim shad on Ned and green senko weedless and no weight were the best performers.  I did catch a few on white cranks and craw cranks.  All smallmouth.  25 total.  Tops of riffles were the most productive areas.  Especially if there were weeds.

I tried loading 2 other photos.  Says my files are too big.  There are lots of fun waters down that way.  If you have the time, pull over.

next year I am skipping the upper French Broad. 2 Junes in a row flooded.  Might try the New in Virginia then work my way back west.

 

Peace