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Nolichucky River fly fishing offers exclusive access to the Cherokee National Forest in TN and NC. These are some of my fly boxes, loaded with smallmouth bass flies. When the surface water temperature reaches the 60’s the bass become even more active. I fish with Josh often. I use fluorocarbon leaders for streamers and nylon for floating flies. Some of the highest calibre fish in the country! I like fishing the runs that are 1 to 3 feet deep with deeper pockets mixed in since I am wade fishing. These hard fighting fish are always a surprise. Bass Fishing Tennessee: Dale Hollow Reservoir Dale Hollow is no secret to any serious bass fisherman. I can wade out in the shallow water and cast to the deep run. Friendly clean lodging is available close by and there are numerous other interests in the area to explore. They both pretty much eat the same thing. On a lake, the strategy with this fly is to cast it into a likely spot, then wait. Overcast or rainy days offer excellent opportunities for smallmouth bass fishing. When the water is low during the Summer, the bass are usually in deep pools during daylight hours. We target smallmouth bass on our wade and walk fishing trips between the months of April and October on the Tuckasegee River and Little Tennessee River. Best Places to Fly Fish in Tennessee 1. I took over the oars and Josh did the same thing. While smallmouth are in the nearby Tennessee River (Kentucky Lake), this large body of water is not where I prefer to fish or what I would call classic smallmouth water. In addition to smallies, we may also fish for largemouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, striped bass, hybrid bass, walleyes, sauger, and crappies. In Tennessee, anglers were observed harvesting 28% of riv-erine smallmouth bass caught during a creel survey in the South Holston River (Black 2019). You can do that with a floating fly line. And so Teo, his nephew Boaz and buddy Trey snuck off to the river for some social distancing and smallmouth fishing on Sunday, May 17. There is no closed season. If you have a picture of your Holston River here I tied one on and caught a smallmouth on about the first cast. Now that is a fun time. Steve I highly recommend Josh. Shiloh National Park in Adamsville, the Tennessee River Museum in Savannah. I'm not sure why people think fishing for smallmouth is any different than fishing for largemouth. Fishing Guide Service in Chattanooga Tennessee specializing in trophy catfish crappie rockfish striper and bluegill Some guides use artificial lures only, others prefer using live bait for smallmouth. The best times to book your guided fishing trip on this gorgeous river is March through early November. The average stream smallmouth bass grows to 14 inches in length by age 6. It is easy to tie. Catch and release is what I practice for all smallmouth bass. Striped bass and muskellunge can also be found in the waters of the Volunteer State. The Wooly Bugger works well in the lowland rivers near here, specifically Little River and the Little Pigeon River. The thrill of watching a 20” smallmouth rise and sip a lightweight fly from the surface is almost more excitement than I can handle. I have fished with Josh Pfeiffer on the tailwaters a few times. Awesome job. Panfish: Crappie, Bluegill, and Catfish. Tennessee River smallmouth fishing at it's best. I fish these flies two different ways. Popularity may not be widespread yet but I think it’s coming. The smallmouth bass are more likely to be in that water depth when there is no sun on the water. At this point, bass will take foam flies from the surface. Smallmouth Bass painting Copyright 2015, by Mary K Jenkins, Located in west Tennessee, the Buffalo River is the last stretch of “small” water providing kayak anglers a good shot at catching smallmouth bass. At that temperature, the bass become more active in the lakes. Covering 27,700 acres, the lake is the premier smallmouth fishery in the state of Tennessee. Smallmouth bass in our lakes like woody debris in the Summer and Fall. On those days you should float the rivers in a canoe or raft. This is Josh Pfeiffer, a smallmouth bass guide with a big fish caught on a tailwater. Byron Begley, Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass by Byron Begley. Fly anglers do much better, fishing in shallow water for obvious reasons. Summarizing our day and a half of fishing on the river, Smith’s prediction was right on that the … TWRA also states, “In streams, smallmouth bass can live to be 15 years of age, and attain a maximum length of about 21 inches. But the best fishing is most arguably below the dam downstream through the remainder of Greene County. Check out my web site, then come fish world-famous Pickwick and Wilson Lakes with me, Steve Hacker. I retrieve enough to keep the fly from snagging something but still move it slowly. I highly recommend Donald if you are looking for an enjoyable experience. The smallmouth bass is the official state sport fish. The 7-weight is best for casting larger or heavier flies long distances. I like to catch smallies in water that is 1 to 6 feet deep. They work well in rivers. I use a Puglisi Threadfin Shad pattern for fishing the jumps. For over 30 years Donald has fished Pickwick Lake and the Tennessee River below the dam targeting trophy smallmouth, largemouth, striped bass, catfish, and Catching a smallmouth bass on a fly rod is addictive. Our friend Matt was kind enough to allow us to post these awesome Tennessee River smallies. Josh has some smallmouth bass flies that would scare the heck out of a smallmouth bass on the Little Tennessee River. We always keep a rod in the boat with a minnow pattern tied on and a piece of split shot to get it down. We’ve caught smallies on large white poppers, Murdich Minnows, Wiggle Minnows, big foam flies and Tequeely flies. Around here I am referring to Little River, Little Pigeon River and Abrams Creek. I caught this pre-spawn female on a black Wooly Bugger in the Spring near the bank. Spring is a great time to find these fish in shallow water when the temperature exceeds 60 degrees. Everyone agrees, “They never give up”. You may want to fish with him. First, and foremost, he is a non smoker, is a gentleman, doesn’t cuss, quick with a laugh, and smile. Overall Smallmouth Bass Biology First, I move the boat along the shore near trees that have fallen in the water. He knows what he’s doing too. You can use sinking fly lines and reach the fish that are holding in 15 to 20 feet of water in the cold months. TWRA is managing the smallmouth bass fishery for quality fishing and larger smallmouth bass. The French Broad River and Holston River come together just east of town to form the Tennessee River. The only lure I have ever used that has out-fished live bait is the Rage Tail Menace, T-rigged and weedless. Smallmouth Bass Home Smallmouth bass are known for that. This wild and scenic river is perfect for smallmouth bass fishing because of its cold, remote waters. TWRA is managing the smallmouth bass fishery for quality fishing and larger smallmouth bass. Flowing northward from North Carolina to Tennessee, the Pigeon River itself skirts along the eastern side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is a particularly generous river when it comes to fishing for Tennessee s state sport fish — the smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu). I almost always use a 9' tapered leader with an 8 pound tippet. The males leave the beds and they are hungry too. Smallmouth Bass Diet I tie mine on a #4 Gamakatsu bass stinger hook and wrap 18 wraps of .020 lead-free wire on the hook shank for weight. Little Tennessee River is one of the most beautiful rivers in North Carolina and is one of the best rivers in the state for smallmouth bass fishing. These flies are usually 1 ¼” to 2” long. Foam poppers produce too. We are always waiting in the Spring for the water temperature to rise to 55 degrees. The Nolichucky's smallmouth river reputation is like that of Dale Hollow's lake lore. Threadfin shad follow the plankton to the top. I like to use a Carter’s Rubber Legged Dragon as a dropper. Early spring offer anglers with finesse Source If you live in Tennessee or Virginia, put smallmouth fishing on your bucket list. I tie a fly called Byron’s Knucklehead. Tennessee is known as the smallmouth bass state. (800) 982-9190 -- EMail The New River is probably the best known, if not the most productive, smallmouth river … Then, smallmouth bass follow and feed on the shad. Clinch River Fly River, Georgia; overall, exploitation riverwide was estimated at 26%. When the Spring fun is over, we have different ways to catch smallmouth during the Summer and Fall on the lakes. We also have access to a second boat if more people are interested in a guided trip. He s a joy to be around and will work hard for a great catch. I have been fishing the Tennessee River for nearly twenty years. I never retrieve these flies. This section of river has it all and historically holds the most diverse fish species of all the Tennessee rivers. Smallmouth bass thrive in the lowland rivers of Tennessee. For your next fishing adventure give Donald Hedge a call or text.  He’s got a seat ready and fish eager to bite. If you wan't to learn to catch smallmouth bass, hire him. In reservoirs the average smallmouth bass reaches 14 inches in 4 years”. To put it in simple terms, it’s fishing for Largemouth on a trout stream, but Smallmouth fight harder than either. I am one of those anglers. I’ve never had much luck doing that. We have been seeing an increase in smallmouth bass attention from our customers over the past few years. Our favorite East Tennessee smallmouth river NOTE: There are 6 more pages in this article. As a professional freshwater fishing guide, my goal is to give you the best opportunity to catch smallmouth bass (smallies) in the beautiful tailrace and freestone rivers of East Tennessee. I have never kept one. Well, that’s my story today and I hope you give these hard fighting fish a try. Smallmouth bass in the river are feeding aggressively, fattening themselves for the winter. Other smallmouth bass will follow the fish you are fighting to eat the regurgitated shad. Smith caught the biggest smallmouth of the day, about a 2 1/2-pounder, on a black Whopper Plopper that he chugged over the top of a submerged log. Copyright 2013 - 2018 Little River Outfitters, Inc. I have and will use these flies but I prefer the three patterns mentioned earlier. I can quickly see the contents at a glance. Only The Smallmouth Bass River Fishing If you want to mix things up a bit, you’ll find fantastic smallmouth fishing on Knoxville’s three rivers. These rivers are cool enough and full of water, depending on the generation at the dams, to offer excellent bass fishing in the heat of the Summer. Now that is when this sport gets to be a lot of fun. Frank Brown caught this nice smallmouth on a sunny day using a Black Byron's Knucklehead. "The Fish Lady", Townsend, Tennessee, MORE SMALLMOUTH BASS FLY FISHING PAGES I also have some favorite areas where the water is shallow on one side of the river and 3 or 4 feet deep on the other side. The fly is tied on a #6 bass stinger hook, so only the large panfish can actually take it. Low season is January to February and June to December. Regulations vary from lake to lake or river to river. Then I caught another. Friendly clean lodging is available close by and there are numerous other interests in the area to explore. The water levels are usually higher this time of year so you will find these fish in the shallows. You think you’ve got a 7 pound bass, only to find out the fish weighs half that when you finally get it in the net. Smallmouth Bass Food & Drinks are provided. But, the fish on the tailwaters eat them up. Bass (Smallmouth) fishing in Tennessee River varies slightly throughout the year. Get a hook into Pickwick Lake’s hottest and largest bass ascendant the Striped Bass. According to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), “Smallmouth bass are found in nearly all of Tennessee’s reservoirs, however substantial populations have only developed in those reservoirs that have clear, cool water habitats.”  Our state has an abundance of lakes that have those conditions. I hardly see anyone fishing with a fly rod on the lakes. "Smallmouth" is a misnomer as I've had them take 6" baits just as easily as a 2" bait Float the Holston River Whole day and half day trip … When you hook and fight a smallmouth bass that has been feeding on shad, they will often regurgitate their meal. It’s arguably the best lake in the country for trophy smallmouth. He is a guide who loves to smallmouth bass fish. This is Josh Pfeiffer, a smallmouth bass guide with a big fish caught on a tailwater. Throughout its headwaters downstream to Canton, anglers will find both wild and stocked trout. High season is March to May. 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