posted February 9, 2010
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BOONE RESERVOIR, as of Feb. 4Bass- The Largemouth/Smallmouth are picking up slowly since the cold snap we had for the last week but the Float and Fly has been fair this past week from 12’-18’ using a 1/16oz lead head and Minnow or Duck feather and tipping with a minnow and the Silver Buddy or Jigging spoon has brought in some good fish along points and flats in about 15’-25’. Striped Bass/Cherokee Bass- The fish that have been caught have been found from Pt2 up to Candy Creek and around Buddy Beach area trolling Umbrella Rigs and trolling with trout minnows from 20’-35’ Crappie- A few good Crappie has been caught at the entrance of Reedy Creek and around Jays Dock in 16-18’ of water on Minnows and small artificial lures.
CENTER HILL, as of Feb. 9
Fishing is slow. Water temperature is about 42 degrees; lake is unstable. A few bass are being caught on crankbaits, while fishing bluff banks in the colored water. A few Kentuckies are being caught on jigs on creek channel banks in 15-to-20 feet of water.
CHEROKEE LAKE
The creel clerk that alternates between Cherokee and Douglas has retired. It has not been determined when that position will be filled. At this time there are no reports available.
Send your fishing report via E-MAIL to Richard Simms.
CHICKAMAUGA, as of Feb. 9
The lake is high and the tailwaters are hazardous. Most creek or lake areas are stained or muddy and clearing. Crappie are being caught along river bluffs and drops in areas where the current is subdued. Most crappie anglers are fishing the bays and creeks due to the heavy river current. Minnows and/or jigs are being used for bait. Bass are being caught in a variety of areas with many lures. The number of bass being caught has been low. Shallow bass are being caught in the waters of the upper ends of creeks and in the main channel along drops and in those selected areas in between. Jigs and spoons are being used for bait most often. Sauger are being caught in the tailwaters below Watts Bar Dam. The number of holes that are productive are limited due to the heavy current. A jig tipped with a minnow is the bait of choice for the average sauger angler. Some catfish are being caught by those drifting with shad in the main channel.
DALE HOLLOW, as of Feb. 9
Fishing is slow. Water temperature is 39 degrees at Lilly Dale; lake is rising. A few smallmouth are being caught on float and fly method and jigs, while fishing bluffs in 10-to-30 feet of water. A few largemouth are being caught in the rivers while casting jigs on bluffs in 15-to-20 feet of water.
DOUGLAS LAKE
The creel clerk that alternates between Cherokee and Douglas has retired. It has not been determined when that position will be filled. At this time there are no reports available.
FORT LOUDON, as of Dec. 17
Great news for the crappie anglers, the crappies are back under the boathouses in very impressive numbers and sizes. Also, the crappies are beginning to school up on the brush piles in about 10 to 12 feet of water. Poland Creek is the hotspot right now. Bass are still hitting fairly well on spinnerbaits and crankbaits, but have slowed down a great deal.
Click Above, You Deserve It!
Send your fishing report via E-MAIL to Richard Simms.
MELTON HILL, as of Feb. 4
The biggest news this week is the muskies at the Bull Run Steam Plant. There have been numerous muskies caught over the past couple of weeks at the steam plant, ranging from 28 inches all the way up to 49 inches. There have also been some nice sized striped bass caught in the same area. It seems like early morning and late evening are the best times. Also, the few who are night fishing are doing quite well. Some pretty good muskies have also been caught on big spinnerbaits pitching the lay downs in the main channel. Some nice sized yellow perch have been caught at about 12 to 15 feet on live minnows. They seem to be schooling in the area around reactor cove and reactor bend. Try any submerged humps or islands with deep water close by. Rock piles and submerged timber are good areas to try also. Crankbaits that imitate those 2-3 inch shad that the bass and other predator fish are chasing still seems to be the ticket for bass for now. This would a good opportunity to try the float and fly to see if the crappies are anywhere to be found yet. Everything else just doesn’t seem to be doing that well at this time. It may take a few days to get more information to report, so keep fishing and figuring out the winter patterns to catch bass and crappies and striped bass along with muskies and all other species.
NORRIS, as of Feb. 4
Snow and ice-covered ramps and secondary roads kept fishermen off the lake. Those who did manage to get on the lake were few, perhaps outnumbered by bank fishermen. Extreme fluctuations in water elevation and temperature have characterized the past two weeks; fishing has suffered in the number of anglers afield as well as the number of fish caught. CRAPPIE anglers managed to pick up some fish in the back of the larger creek embayments on the lower end. SMALLMOUTH BASS were slow, suspended at about 12-15 feet or holding tight to the bank in stained sections. LARGEMOUTH BASS were slow. They’re hitting very close to the bank on crankbaits retrieved slowly, or on plastic worms/lizards, or rubber-skirted pig’n jigs. STRIPED BASS were slow. Some of these fish have moved down below the advancing mud-stained water on the main channels. Those caught have been deep. BLUEGILL are slow. WALLEYE catches are slow. It is too early for upriver fishing, and the water conditions upriver are bad. However, this week’s TWRA Reservoir Data Collection sampling showed walleye in good numbers on the points in the Loyston to Lost Creek section.
SOUTH HOLSTON, as of Feb. 4
Bass- The fishing slowed some since the latest snow and water temp has fell to 41 degrees. The Float N Fly or a Silver Buddy along Clay Shale banks or Round Rock banks on secondary points and small pockets on the lower end of the lake and there have been a few caught on Swim Baits in 20’-30’. Bank fishing has shown up some good Smallmouth around 421 Boat Ramp on Trout Minnows.
TELLICO, as of Feb. 4
Everything is still about the same as last week and is probably not going to change much until the water temperatures start to rise a little. The crappies are biting quite well around the Notchy Creek area. Most of them are being caught trolling, but some are also being caught fishing the brush piles at about 10-12 ft. on minnow and float. The Ballplay area is doing fairly well also, and most of the crappies being caught in this area are caught trolling. So, there still isn’t much information for the other species of fish, such as the black bass, largemouth and smallmouth or spotted.
WATAUGA, as of Dec. 17
BASS - Smallmouth, Largemouth, Spotted Bass are hitting Bandit Crankbaits along Bluff’s, Rocky Banks around 6’ using crawfish colors seems to be the best and the float and fly has produced a lot of fish this week now on bluffs and points on the lower end of the lake in the 8’-10’ range using a fly or tipping with small minnows also a 3/8oz Black and Blue Jig with a Green Pumpkin chunk produced some good Smallmouth in elk river along steep Rocky banks
WATTS BAR, as of Feb. 9
The lake is unstable due to the heavy rains. Some areas are stained or muddy. The tailwater area below Ft. Loudon Dam is hazardous. Sauger anglers are catching a few sauger in the more protected areas in the tailwaters. Minnows and jigs are being used for bait. Crappie are being caught while suspended in the open water of the larger creeks. Trolling with crankbaits is one technique used by crappie anglers. Some structure related fish are being caught in the same area. Bass are being caught along primary points or banks usually around rocky areas. Some deeper water points and ledges in the larger creeks are areas that are also being targeted by bass anglers. Any lure that can be presented in a slow manner is being used. Some catfish are being caught by those using shad in the main channel.
CARTER's LAKE (in Georgia), as of Jan. 26
Report courtesy Louie Bartenfield, Carter's Lake Guide Service
After our recent historic cold front our water temperature dropped from 48 into the low 40's, basically overnight. This sent a HUGE majority of shad deep and along went most of the spots. I've been out 3-4 times per week since the front, the bite has done a complete 180' from averaging 15+lbs per trip from Oct-Dec to now winning Saturday w/ 9 lbs. LOL. Big difference. I had some pretty rough trips w/ the Float 'n Fly recently, the bite slowly died as the fish went deeper. The FnF bite is still there some days but is very short lived & is either early or a late bite. The best thing I've got going is sight fishing w/ dropshot. (spotting fish on the depth finder) The sonar bite is good not great but good enough to win. If you want to get out and work on that, now's the time. It's not something for a team trip, as those of you know that have been with me in the past know. It's all front deck and works much better if no more than 2 baits are in the water at a time. As usual "The Fluke" Zoom Albino or Baby Bass has been my bait while sight fishing.
Over the next few weeks look for the spoon bite to pick up. Have a 1/2 and 3/4 Spoon ready, it amazes me how the fish truly prefer one over the other each day. Also be ready w/ white and chrome, that can also make a big difference. I use 12-15lb fluro w/ my spoon and 4-6lb w/ my dropshot as most of you already know.
Go HERE for other Georgia Fishing Reports & links to GA Lake Levels or check Water Release Schedules from TVA Dams
Area Fly Fishing Report, as of Jan. 18 from David Newsom - Choo Choo Fly and Tackle
Elk River- TVA has been running continuous water on the Elk since mid-October. Water releases have peaked at around 4000 cfs, so fishing the river at these times has been tough. The Elk cannot be waded at these water levels, and fishing from a canoe, drift boat, or motor- powered boat can be done, but one should use extreme caution. Although, the past few weekends we have seen water levels at 100 cfs, so wading the river has been an option. After talking with TVA, it is expected that the water levels will hover around 100 cfs on the weekends, while water levels might increase during the weekdays. So this is great news for all of those who are fly fishing the river. If the water levels spike above 400 cfs, opt to fishing the river from a boat with big streamers in sizes 1/0 to size 8 and large nymphs, sizes 8-12. During the winter months, and in low water conditions, it is a good idea to fish streamers around structure and smaller nymph patterns near the bottom, since the trout will be more lethargic due to the cold weather.
Toccoa River- The Toccoa River in North Georgia has been tough fishing during these winter months. It has been harder to reach the river from Chattanooga due to the rockslide on Highway 64. Also, the river has been running a lot of water through the generators at Blue Ridge Dam these past few months. When the water is high, silt content in the river increases and causes water discoloration. If these conditions are present, use larger nymphs and streamers with lots of flash. Although, we are beginning to see signs of lower generation hovering around 100-600 cfs. If the water is low and clear, then the fishing will be better with some occasional BWO hatches. Also, stick to midges (cream, grey, or black). When the water is high stick to the tried and true Wooly Buggers, Beldar Buggers, Sculpzillas, and Zonkers.
Hiwassee River- The Hiwasse River, which is known by some as one of the most beautiful tailwater rivers in the southeast, has been running around 2 generators recently. So most anglers should fish the river from a drift boat, or try to fish when the generation levels are much lower, which can be unpredictable at this time. You can expect to catch feisty rainbows and browns around the 12" range. But there are larger fish present in the river waiting to be caught. With high flows on the river, it is best to keep a fly box stocked with an array of streamer patterns, as well as larger nymphs, such as Rubber- Legged Hare's Ear, Prince nymphs, Copper Johns, and Zug Bugs.
Tellico River- As our main freestone river nearby, located in Cherokee National Forest, the fishing has been quite well this fall and winter. Even though we have had a lot of rain this winter, fishing has still been good. The water levels can recede much faster since the river is a freestone river with no dam generation. Nymph patterns, such as the Tellico nymph and Pheasant Tail are great selections this time of year. Also, you may want to keep a few BWO dries on hand as hatches occur year-round. It is also worth fishing the tributaries of the Tellico, such as the Bald River and North River. All of these waters hold a nice brown, rainbow, and brook trout population. If you're looking to hook a larger than average trout, it is best to fish the deep pools of the lower to middle section of the river. Remember that from the mouth of the North River to Turkey Creek is managed as a delayed harvest section until March 14.
Tennessee River- We saw some of the best bass fishing on the river this past fall leading into December that we have ever seen before. Catching bass (largemouth and smallmouth) on flies, such as Clouser Minnows, Deer Hair Poppers/Divers, and Deceiver patterns was a great success this past fall. We were even seeing surface action leading into December due to the shad kill. Smallmouth bass were being caught on sink tip lines with a vast array of crawfish patterns. Now that the weather has gotten cold it is best to fish with sink tip lines around structure if you are looking to catch bass on the fly rod. If the weather is overcast and a lot of water is being generated, the smallmouth fishing accelerates, along with the striper fishing near the dam. We are looking forward to a great spring fishing season coming up here in a couple of months, because we know the bass fishing will be spectacular, as always.
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