Slipping In

Spring is a difficult time to visit some of my favorite small streams.  The areas surrounding some of the best are closed during the turkey hunts to anyone other than hunters.  Between turkey hunts and teaching classes, it can be challenging coordinating a time that I can check on the local smallmouth, redeye, coosa bass, and other panfish.  The other day I found time to slip in and check on a couple of my favorite spots. That day just happened to be the only one the area was open so the fish probably have not been pestered too much lately.

With visions of monster fish all to myself, I set out for a quick 2 hour excursion.  Upon arrival, I was pleased to find the stream at a perfect level for fishing.  Clouds were starting to one in and I expected the fish to feel safer than normal in the lower light.  Quickly rigging up, I was soon standing on a rock and casting over a large pool.

After several unproductive casts I was wondering if my trip would be worth the effort.  Then the very next cast produced a solid hit, and I soon had a nice redeye in hand.

Moving on up to the head of the pool produced another couple of fish, both of them redeye.  The smallmouth bass fishing seems to be a little on the slow side although there are many possible explanations, not the least of which is my own lack of expertise in the area of smallmouth bass fishing.

Thankfully the scenery made up for the slow fishing.  I spent as much time with the camera as I did fishing.  The wildflowers were beautiful and probably deserve a day dedicated just to shooting them...

On the way back home I stopped at another spot and immediately caught a small redeye and a small coosa bass.  I'll be looking forward to another adventure in this area.  I have a lot of ideas for better fishing and maybe some larger fish!  In the meantime, instead of sitting around waiting for turkey season to be over so I can fish the local small streams for smallmouth, I'll be heading to the Smokies tomorrow for a couple of nights.  Naturally I'll fish at least a little although maybe not as much as some trips.  Plan on a trip report by sometime this upcoming weekend...