2007 F-N-F Bite Dale Hollow HELP!

[want2retire]

I am new to this site (6 months) and have been torn up listening to all the FNF talk.
I've read all I can on the subject and payed very close attention to all the posts, just waiting to get on them with fnf.
I've been a few times to Dale since Thanksgiving and have not had much luck on the FNF.
My question is has the bite been delayed by the water temp or has everyone been killing them and I dont know what I am doing?
I 've been catching some nice fish on shiners but not much luck on FNF.

I am a rookie on the FNF,so thanks again for all the help and your posts, they are very helpfull!

[smljaw]

I'm in the same boat. From what I gather, the FNF bite has not heated up yet. 60+ degree weather and rains keep the water temp above 50 so the FNF just doesn't shine. I have fished FNF one time (Dale Hollow the 3rd week in December). We caught 11 in 2 days.

This cold weather we are about to get should push the temps down to where they need to be. I hope to FNF C-land next weekend. I'll be sure to post if I go.

LOTS of good FNF info streams through this message board. I have learned quite a bit and applied it at Dale last month. I look forward to building on what I already know.

[elnutsmalljaws]

Tough year to start the fly. For what I know, there has only been one small stretch when the temps dropped below 50 this winter and that was for very few days in Mid December and the bite was pretty decent for me. With both the water temps and air temps fluxuating like it has, it has delayed the turnover as well. The FNF needs cold clear water to be at its best. The weeks in December when it was above 60 did not help it at all and really delayed the bite. I like to fish it when it hits 50 for the first time then fish it all winter thereafter. This usually happens right after the turnover happens which is usually within the first 10 days or so of December. A couple of weeks ago the water was still black below First Island and still colored above First Island which tells me the turnover had not completely happened yet, when it is usually done by the end of November or so. With the cold snap that is coming thru today and the fact that they are calling for highs in the 40's and some lows in the teens over the next 10 days the bite should pick up pretty fast. My guess is that the end of the month it should be pretty good and I have made this guess every time I seen a cold forecast like the one that is out now. It all depends on the weather. Stick with it, for it will produce some really good fish when the water temp and clarity is right. Look for the days when it is sleeting, raining, overcast with a slight ripple and then load the boat with 3+ pounders all day long.

[want2retire]

Thanks for the encouragement guys, that is what I needed to keep me on the water. I will fight the cold, rain wind and my wife in pursuite of that day that I can load the boat with smallies on a 10ft FNF rod.
Everyone at my office thinks I have lost my mind by the amount of time I have been spending on the water this winter, and my wife thinks I'm having an affair.
She says no way could I be fishing in this kind of weather.
I usually go to Florida this time of the year to fish but I have been bit by the samlljaw bug and found out I dont have to go to Florida to catch nice fish in the winter, it was always in my backyard and I never knew it.
I dont keep the fish just pictures so If I dont get some nice FNF pictures soon I will have to download someone elses pictures to prove I am on the water. HA,Ha!

I guess I am having an affair but it's with a big brown girls with a small jaw!