Today RonS81, WarrenP and myself attacked the Elk River here in South Central Tennessee. I do mean attacked!! We hiked our butts up slippery slopes through jungle like overgrowth, waded down weed filled irrigation ditches, hiked 100’s of yards to only do it again! Back down to the river climbing over downed trees, fighting our way through the underbursh, tripping over sunken logs and finally back in the river! The return trip wasn’t much better! Back up the overgrown steep bank, down into the almost invisable ditch and crawl up the muddy bank to the road. The road ended and it became a hike over hill and dale through 2 barbwire fences and finally, after many detours, the highway back to the parking lot!!
What did we have to show for the trip? Over 60 trout brought to hand that’s what!!
The average age for this band of “Trout Warriors”? Somewhat over 60!!
What a great day, and every bone in my body hurts!!
It doesn’t get any better than that. :D:D:D
I hope Jack and Ron had as much fun as I did. The weather was great, the river was just beautiful and the fellowship was fantastic and I was able to put another face to a name on FAOL!
Ron is a great guy to spend the day fishing with!
Here is a shot of Ron, Jack and the river:
Hey, that’s a big hunk of water!. Any more pictures? And, how big were those fish? Looks like a wonderful day.
JC,
Yes I did take a few more pictures. There were no really big fish. most were running 9" to 10". There were quite a few browns and the colors were fantastic. There might have been a few pushing 12" but just a few. I was disappointed in not being able to put Ron on larger fish, but, last years drought put the hurts to our fish. TVA did not generate all summer last year which hurt the water quality and the fish. A normal day where I took them today would usually produce most fish in the 12" to 13" range with a few 14" to 17" fish, but, they were not to be found today. I am going to take my NuCanoe and do some exploring to see if the larger fish moved further down the river.
Here is Jack and Ron again. They were both releasing fish. Picture quality not the greatest…
JC,
Here is another picture looking up the river from where we were:
Now that’s fishing! Looks like you boyz had a fantastic time. I suspect you guys will be doing the same at 100.
Anything going on with the water temperature? The fish reacting to anything?
Jack,
I’m proud of you guys for working hard for those trout! Here are a few images I found for you!
http://www.postthisinc.com/images/fishermanxing.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t84/basspro2001/old-fishermen-6029.jpg
Finally!, I found this statue;http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2198/2084591939_0d5d2f17fb.jpg
Doug
The water temps were in the mid 50’s and there was some surface activity. Soft hackle wet flys were the go to flys.
Hey Guys -
WAY TO GO !!
Sounds like an absolutely delightful day in a beautiful place, and you earned every hit you got, no matter how many were landed or how big they were.
If I ever get down your way, I hope you’ll be able to take me for a stroll through the woods and put me on some water and trout like that.
Thanks for the report and the pictures.
John
Not sure if I should be shocked or flattered by the wording in the subject… !!!
Either way, that sounds like a heck of a day. You guys sure earned the title!
Marty
Had great day. Was really tired though. Warren and Jack showed me allot got me on some nice fish.
Here’s a pic of warren.
Marty you’re the first person that came to mind when I saw the title to this thread !
Great pics guys looks like a fantastic day. What a place to fish too!
What a great story and pictures. Looks like a beautiful river to fish. Thanks.
- Jeff
Sir Lord Hise;
GREAT, fishing story and fun to read, thank you!
I also am very thankful for that “hidden fishing tip” that rons81 was kind enough to post pictures of Warren practicing with obvious good results…
“Cast out fly line”
“Strip out, excess slack line and allow to float down river, along with cast line and fly”
“Completely ignore cast fly and wandering, slack, fly line while totally diverting your attention to watching the pretty girl in very short hiking shorts, walking the trail along the river bank”.
“When fish hits fly, set hook and play fish to net”.
That’s a great tip and I like how Ron captured the results of this tip on film, with Warren hooking up with a nice fish!
All these years of “always watching my fly for any and all action, in order to react accordingly” and I’ve obviously been doing it all wrong.
“Cast. Strip. Strip.Strip. Divert total attention, back to shore. Only concentrate on pretty girl”. BAM! Instant hookup!
Thanks to Warren and Ron, both. I’m going to try this new trick, the next time out!
Nice pics’, good h2oThanks
They fish by sound down there Flybinder. When they hear a 'gurgling sound; they pull. It’s the fish choking to death on the feathers.
Jim
Is that what you call the Tennessee Two Strip?
I must be off…
Brad
Thanks, JC!! I was wondering, why they’re always talking about that “Gurgle Fly” they like using so much! Now I know why they named it, that, too!