Is Dale Hollow in trouble

I don't fish Dale very often but I have friends that do. I also keep up with smalljaw.com on a frequent basis and I am concerned for the fishery. Guys that KNOW how to fish that lake I mean really KNOW how to fish are turning in three and four day stretches of ZERO fish caught. Other very modest catches are being discussed and even by well known guides.

I think that fish kill last year of the Smallmouth was vastly under played by the TVFWR..I was wanting to start fishing Dale more this year. A buddy and I fished it several weeks ago and caught a few. I had one largehead that weighed 4.8lb and that was the best fish we caught. Only had three or four in 2 hard days. I can't force myself to drive 4 hours and spend all that money to get just a few fish...not worth it.

Any thoughts fellas, it's not looking good for the Holler right now.....

a couple of my friends used to go a couple weekend a month. we would go together and split the gas bill and fish from the same boat. some nights we would only boat a few fish, then there would be nights we would have them trips that keep you going back. the lake is fished to death, and the fish kill didn't help either. the last few trips I have been to Dale has been a big disappointment as well. I have replaced Dale with Cherokee.

[QUOTE=mhall;512622]I don't fish Dale very often but I have friends that do. I also keep up with smalljaw.com on a frequent basis and I am concerned for the fishery. Guys that KNOW how to fish that lake I mean really KNOW how to fish are turning in three and four day stretches of ZERO fish caught. Other very modest catches are being discussed and even by well known guides.

I think that fish kill last year of the Smallmouth was vastly under played by the TVFWR..I was wanting to start fishing Dale more this year. A buddy and I fished it several weeks ago and caught a few. I had one largehead that weighed 4.8lb and that was the best fish we caught. Only had three or four in 2 hard days. I can't force myself to drive 4 hours and spend all that money to get just a few fish...not worth it.

Any thoughts fellas, it's not looking good for the Holler right now.....[/QUOTE]

I think the lake was in trouble last spring when the algae bloom hit. Not too long after that happened, reports of dead fish began to "surface". I very much hope that I'm wrong but I've just about seen enough to know that it's at the bottom of a down cycle right now. I intend to check it out pretty soon but may start checking out Cumberland, with the lake level coming back up now.

I know that's what they're saying but I've been making the same trip to Dale the week before Christmas for the past 4-5 years and this past year we had the best trip I've ever had.

I'm not very good at fishing, so maybe it's just dumb luck. We've gotten higher numbers each year so maybe we are finally figuring them out, too.

[QUOTE=know1;512636]I know that's what they're saying but I've been making the same trip to Dale the week before Christmas for the past 4-5 years and this past year we had the best trip I've ever had.

I'm not very good at fishing, so maybe it's just dumb luck. We've gotten higher numbers each year so maybe we are finally figuring them out, too.[/QUOTE]

Yea I think at any given time if conditions are right and put the know how to'em good trips will still be had but looking at averages and reports it's looking rough. Those guys on Smalljaw are animals down there and they are getting collectively spanked this year across the board that spells trouble...

I`m going back Mon-Fri was there with fisheater and his Buddy,,It was poor trip for us the water was still cold high 40`s but still got a few fish but was tough,,,no shad hope this weather and wind gets the temps into the mid to upper 50`s I`ll do better this trip

The next month or two will certainly tell if there is something wrong with the lake or not. The spawn should bring the fish up to shallower water and make them easier to target, if there are any left in the lake...j/k sort of. Since the algae bloom/drought/high water temperatures and fish kill of last summer the lake has been much different than years before and not for the good. Not near as many smallmouth are being caught and specifically big smallies. Yes, here and there people are getting into good fish but the overall average is way down. Hopefully the normal winter we had will help the fish and hopefully they bust loose this spring and all is forgotten. Either way I am heading down next week for four days to try and track em down. If the bronzebacks are not biting there is always the greenbacks to chase way up the Obey or Wolf rivers. The recent tournaments at Dale have been disappointing at least in regards to big fish. My numbers may be off a bit but my memory has gone with the green smoke.

[B]December 2012[/B]- Smalljaw Tourney & Billy Westmoreland Invitational both two-day tourneys 125 ish boats total
[B]2-3[/B] Smallmouth over 21" weighed in
[B]March 2013[/B]- Smalljaw Elite Tourney & BFL Tourney both two-day tourneys 150 ish boats total
[B]1-2[/B] Smallmouth over 21" weighed in

My numbers could be a little bit off but not much. The point is something has been off with the lake and hopefully this spring it will bounce back! In the past these tournaments have produced 5x - 10x the amount of Smallmouth over 21". Maybe when Cumberland gets back to normal pool it will help Dale and take some of the fishing/boating pressure off too. Only time will tell......