Thread: Tamed!

Springtime in East Tennessee is synonymous with drastic changes in weather, Mother Nature just yawning and stretching from her long cold date with that Old Man Winter if you will. For the last three years we have received record setting Spring rainfall which results in crazy fluctuations in lake levels. Now our water controlling Authority up this way figured out about 70 years ago they had better learn to control this early season precipitation deluge or face flooding destruction. Hence the creation through multiple dams the highland water storage reservoirs of East Tennessee that make up the headwaters of the great Tennessee River. Cherokee is one of those lakes and 3 miles from the house, an after work trip was in order since the 8in of rain in February has began to settle. Clearing waters did indeed greet me, a great waterfall at this familiar spot.
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Armed with the 7.6L ABU Garcia Eradicator Real Finesse strung up with the 5.6lb Varivas Avani SW PE, I had a pretty good idea the annual battle of the bank bullies was about to begin. I did pass a couple guys walking back to the creek slinging big spinner baits and chunky jigs and asked if they were catching anything, nope they said just out enjoying the weather they said. I grinned, even better I thought to myself. 3rd cast the muted drag of the Daiwa 17 Presso Limited 1025 sang my favorite tune. A Lunkercity 1.75in Helgie was the bait of choice, tipped with a nibble Mr Brown Fish couldn’t resist.
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A 16.5 Smallmouth was the first fish of the evening. Skinny but acrobatic, a good fight for sure. The little bait is right above his eye, not a spinnerbait or jig…..grin grin this UL thing is so much fun. About 10 minutes later another thump and the soft tip of the ABU bent slowly and hooked an absolute digger of a fish….
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Bank bully number two gave me a good run or two but the rod, reel and line held serve once again and a 15.5in Spotted Bass came to hand for a photo and quick release. After two fish a big grin came over my face, nope not biting according to the other guys? Well after a few more small non photogenic bass and a nice thick Crappie
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I tangled with a surprise species that checked all the mean fish boxes.
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Yep, a 19in Big Bad Drum. He tested rod, reel, line, knot, hook and my patience. Not my favorite fish to catch but an UL fisherman likes a pull on the end of the line nonetheless. This guy was caught on a Fanatik bait, the buggy looking Ukraine made microplastic can be seen on the rock above his tail. In the early Spring in the creeks most fish are looking for familiar fare, hence the small creature baits of choice. Right at dark I actually caught one of my target fish in the swift shallow waters of the waterfall area.
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A nice Temperate Bass, one of many this size trying to run up the creeks to perpetuate their numbers. Tonight’s trip was a success, I wanted some seat time with the 7.6 to see if it would tame the bigger fish, and it did so nicely. Between this long stick and the 6.10 in the same line, I think I have found my two rods of choice for the upcoming season. Strung up with Varivas Avani or Infinity PE, I am ready to battle anything that swims in my waters. Get out and fish, they are biting.


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