About 8 months ago a new member posted here requesting information on Lakes in East Tennessee. Upon retirement in April of this year he planned on moving to this Great State from Northern Illinois, looking to buy lake property and enjoy the fruits of his 30 year toil/toleration in a little warmer climate. PM’s, texts, phone calls and realtor recommendations over a 6 month period led him to choose and move to Douglas Lake, a beautiful stretch of water nestled up against the Smoky Mountains and in close proximity to touristy Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and the Dollywood Megapolis. He got his TN fishing license on Friday and I took him out this morning for his maiden trip on his now home lake. A calm, drizzly but warm morning, the purple Redbuds are in full bloom and the Dogwoods are so close to busting out you can actually see the anticipation of their beauty. I picked him up at Dandridge ramp and we immediately went to his cove so he could get some “from the water” shots of his new house, and send them to his sleeping wife. We looked around for a while then I saw several boats trolling in a large creek arm and with 64 degree water temps and no wind, I introduced him to tight line fishing (cast and slow retrieving) a Bobby Garland Baby Shad on a 1/32oz jig head. He chose a Crappie Magnet on a 1/16 head. Casting to slate points he stuck the first one, a 13in Female White Crappie, to which he kept saying, That’s a Nice One. A quick net job and he had his first TN fish.
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I proceeded to catch about 8 more keepers, both Blacks and Whites, all good size.
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?We rode around for another hour or so just looking and talking, then headed back to the ramp. A good day, a new friend, and a parting shot of the guide(me) in the funny hat. Get out there, it is time!!
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Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
