2010 BassFishin.Com Member Event on Dale Hollow

[MallenManson]

That's really too bad, guys. Sounds like a lot of work went into setting it up, but looked like it was coming together beautifully.
Certainly looks like a great spot for a future get together

[woody]

The truth is, thing's don't always happen as we plan them. No regrets here!

Maybe another time...


-Mark

[nofearengineer]

It's okay....I am sort of torn on this one.

I can't decide what to do when I catch that 8lb Smallie.

Mum's the word, so as not to make anyone sick?

Or post extra big pictures of it, so as to make people who cancelled sick?

hmmm......



Just playing, guys. I'm mostly going to miss the company. I just already booked the room and set up the vacation time, so it would be a problem for me to not go at this point.

[zooker]

Originally Posted by nofearengineer

so as to make people who cancelled sick

no some of us are truly sick..i do have a doctors note if need be..

zooker

[nofearengineer]

Originally Posted by zooker

no some of us are truly sick..i do have a doctors note if need be..

zooker

Okay, Zook...you are off the hook on this one.

Next year is a must.

[nofearengineer]

To Ron and Adam...

If you guys should be able to somehow see this before you leave Dale Hollow totally beaten, sorry Mark and I were unable (unwilling) to hang around long enough to see you.

To say Dale was a bust would be a bit of an understatement.

As many of you know, Tennessee just experienced some of the worst rain on record. The western part of the state is a complete wreck, and while the eastern portion did not suffer as much damage to roads and what not, the lake was a complete JUNKPILE.

When we arrived on Monday morning, the lake was 8 feet above summer pool, and covered in logs, leaves, plastic soda bottles, and pretty much every other type of debris you can imagine. The "gin clear" water was muddy and green. As a result, fishing was pretty much a futile effort on our part. I had pretty much memorized all of the things to look for; i.e., look for weeds near red clay of black shale banks...yada, yada, yada, but it was all for naught.

Problem was...there were no banks...the whole lake is nothing but submerged timber, so to a guy who has no experience with the lake, it all looks just about the same. I even made a run down the lake to the dam, and it was all even worse the farther down we went. So even trolling was out of the question. You couldn't keep a lure in the water longer than a minute or two before you'd see a mass of sticks and leaves creep down your downrigger line on the sonar, and then invariably a couple minutes later, the lure would snap free, and you'd have a bunch of muck to clear.

Long story short, those who skipped Dale made a lucky choice. I fished 3 days in 90 degree, bluebird skies, with nothing more than 3 bites to show for it (oh yeah, and an awesome semi-sunburn). I even did some night fishing, but to no avail. I tried just about every fishing technique I know...again no luck. It got to be just too depressing, so I came home.

It was still fun to see a new lake though. In the mornings and evenings, when it wasn't so blasted hot, it was really pretty (if you kind of squinted so you wouldn't see the water). Watching the huge Gar cruise around the boat was pretty cool. I plan on going back next Spring when it's back to normal.

Again, sorry, Ron and Adam...I hope you have better luck than I did.

[BigBassin144]

I'd start by actually catching that 8lb smallie at the Bryce and Ron and Adam 2010 get together.

BB

[bcklash]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

I'd start by actually catching that 8lb smallie at the Bryce and Ron and Adam 2010 get together.

BB

Nope, Bryce, Ron and Adam SMALLMOUTH FEST DALE HOLLOW STYLE.

[bamabassman]

Sorry it was so bad bryce. Maybe things will be better by the end of the year for all of us. or next year even. Things have GOT to turn around for everyone or we are gonna be in some REAL trouble.

[bassboogieman]

That's quite a kick in the teeth Bryce. I understand what a disappointment it is having a blowout on a trip that has been planned for months. My sympathies also to the guys who worked so hard to set up the get together. I've participated in seveal of those deals from a group on another fishing board, and they are a whale of a good time. I was at one on the Potomac a couple weeks ago - it was a blast - and am already looking forward to next year. Next month we are having another on the Northern Chesapeake - can't wait for that one either. You guys have one that doesn't require a 12 hour drive I would consider that. Or maybe I could ride along with Kevin - he's not too far away from me. LOL. I mean this with the best of intentions: BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR!

[BigBassin144]

Man Bryce, that really sucks.

I guess it's a good thing that it wasn't a big event like KY Lake last year.

BB

[bassfisher]

Heck Bryce, it was tough all over the place here too. Sure sorry to hear about your trip man, that had to blow. Although Ceder Creek was muddy and the water very high (the link I sent ya), we still caught them. Should of stopped by.

Back on April 12th pulled out one over 22" and over 7lbs LM bass, heck she had even sponded already. (Releashed her) The wife caught a large blue cat (22" 13lb) when we were crappie fishing on a darn 3" red worn from Gulp. lol