Dale Hollow

[roadrunner]

I loved Elnut's post have printed several of them he is a hero would fish in some of the nastiest weather and had serious health issues. He shared so much information and if he said it I believed it I am still fishing bass pro flouro on his recommendation and think it is as good as you can get for the price. Great guy

What has happened to Elnut?

[elnutsmalljaws]

Great report and a great fish. I’ll begin my annual pilgrimage to the Hollow on January 1st and I can not wait. As Geo made mention of, I owe just about everything I know about fishing Dale to Elwood Lumpkins. Many years ago he and I went down on New Year’s Day and had an all world haul. Several 5s, several overs, doubles, and a fantastic ‘competition’ bite. What is that you may ask? Well, I cast out and begin to wiggle the bobber when it just disappears. Not in the typical FnF fashion whereby with a slight gulp, your bobber is pulled down. No, it was there and then it was not and that fish hit my fly on a 13 ft leader with however much braid I had out on the cast and the line went straight taut. She hit it and went down as fast as she could. Elwood notices and says that’s a ‘competition’ bite. She wanted to nab it and get away quick. He says this as he casts in proximity while I’m playing my fish. His bobber sets up and boom, down it goes. My fish was small and easily brought to the boat and released while he’s playing his. I grab the net. I’m nervous. He’s shouting that this lady has shoulders and may be his largest ever out of Dale. I’m more nervous now. Get her to the net and she’s a solid 6.5. I would have called her 7+ and we are both ecstatic. We caught a lot of fish after that and it was truly an all world day that we will never forget. I fish that same exact spot for one full day solid each year. Not moving whether the fish are there or not. With each cast I make during that day I remember the smile on his face and the knowledge he shared with me during our times on that lake. My PB is a 12.5 LMB, I’ve caught 200 lb tuna, and 100+ pound tarpon, bonefish out the wazoo, big big trout, and tiger fish and Nile perch in Africa but nothing, and I mean nothing, beats a 4 pound SMB on the fly at Dale Hollow in January.

Well Hello Boys, Girls and GEO (because depending on which day of the week determines which gender he dresses)

My Man Vaun Cummings talking about the single greatest day of FNF fishing that has ever existed on Dale Hollow or any other body of water. I will put that day up against any other and take our chances right now. If you recall Vaun you came down in the middle of the prior day and I had that 5lb over at the absolute last second of light to boot then we have the Mother of all Days. In my boat, whomever catches the Biggest fish off a particular spot gets is named after him and it stays that name until somebody catches one bigger. I have about a 10 spot milkrun that I make early at first light every morning. Usually the first 3-4 spots will give up a couple of really nice fish the first hour of safe light. But the Day Vaun is talking about January 2, 2010 was the Day that about 6 of these spots were Named Big Vaun then Big Woody then Vaun again …… We had 4 overs with the biggest being 6-13 and probably another 6-8 fish that were in the 19 to 21 range but just fat as a horse and several others that were solid 14 to 19 inch fish. Literally we were calling our shots in that all I was doing was racetracking 6 of my best spots and it seems all 6 were stacked with fish. Our best 5 would have been pushing 25 to 26 lbs. In all my days on the Hollow I never seen or heard of a day like that and I fished it a ton for several years. For you guys learning about the fly just a few common misunderstood facts about the FNF. It is not just for water below 50 degrees, Ive caught many fish on it in 55 degree water. The year John and I won the Billy the water temp was 55 degrees on Friday before the tourney and John and I slayed them, left fish all over the lake, go to the dinner that night and heard how terrible it was. Second, it is not just for suspended fish over deep water. I catch the majority of my fish in depths less than 15 foot with a ten foot leader. third, the FNF can be fished in the grass Just ask anyone that's been in my boat you have to learn what is a grass bite and a fish bite but it can be done and that is where my jig stays about 60 percent of the time. Good Luck


PS Im still alive fellas, just hanging out in a Nashville Hospital right now the count is up to 39 surgeries 44 endoscopies and 2,520 actual days laying in a hospital bed. I guess the man upstairs doesn't want me just yet for September 15 I kicked the bucket for the 4th time but they broke 7 of my ribs doing chest compressions in getting me back, then I laid in an induced coma for 10 days while the family was called in the preacher and all but then I started breathing on my own and I guess it wasn't my time just yet. I will be here for another month or so including rehab. Done forgot how to tie a palomar knot for its been 4 years since I wet a line. I even sold my boat. I appreciate the cards you fellas have sent thanks GEO I know you had a hand in that. Merry Christmas and may Santa Clause bring you all new FNF rods for Christmas.


elnut

[GeoFisher]

Well Hello Boys, Girls and GEO (because depending on which day of the week determines which gender he dresses)

My Man Vaun Cummings talking about the single greatest day of FNF fishing that has ever existed on Dale Hollow or any other body of water. I will put that day up against any other and take our chances right now. If you recall Vaun you came down in the middle of the prior day and I had that 5lb over at the absolute last second of light to boot then we have the Mother of all Days. In my boat, whomever catches the Biggest fish off a particular spot gets is named after him and it stays that name until somebody catches one bigger. I have about a 10 spot milkrun that I make early at first light every morning. Usually the first 3-4 spots will give up a couple of really nice fish the first hour of safe light. But the Day Vaun is talking about January 2, 2010 was the Day that about 6 of these spots were Named Big Vaun then Big Woody then Vaun again …… We had 4 overs with the biggest being 6-13 and probably another 6-8 fish that were in the 19 to 21 range but just fat as a horse and several others that were solid 14 to 19 inch fish. Literally we were calling our shots in that all I was doing was racetracking 6 of my best spots and it seems all 6 were stacked with fish. Our best 5 would have been pushing 25 to 26 lbs. In all my days on the Hollow I never seen or heard of a day like that and I fished it a ton for several years. For you guys learning about the fly just a few common misunderstood facts about the FNF. It is not just for water below 50 degrees, Ive caught many fish on it in 55 degree water. The year John and I won the Billy the water temp was 55 degrees on Friday before the tourney and John and I slayed them, left fish all over the lake, go to the dinner that night and heard how terrible it was. Second, it is not just for suspended fish over deep water. I catch the majority of my fish in depths less than 15 foot with a ten foot leader. third, the FNF can be fished in the grass Just ask anyone that's been in my boat you have to learn what is a grass bite and a fish bite but it can be done and that is where my jig stays about 60 percent of the time. Good Luck


PS Im still alive fellas, just hanging out in a Nashville Hospital right now the count is up to 39 surgeries 44 endoscopies and 2,520 actual days laying in a hospital bed. I guess the man upstairs doesn't want me just yet for September 15 I kicked the bucket for the 4th time but they broke 7 of my ribs doing chest compressions in getting me back, then I laid in an induced coma for 10 days while the family was called in the preacher and all but then I started breathing on my own and I guess it wasn't my time just yet. I will be here for another month or so including rehab. Done forgot how to tie a palomar knot for its been 4 years since I wet a line. I even sold my boat. I appreciate the cards you fellas have sent thanks GEO I know you had a hand in that. Merry Christmas and may Santa Clause bring you all new FNF rods for Christmas.


elnut

Glad to see you kickin and POSTING my friend

[Fishin is life]

Spent the last 3 weekends on the holler. Fishing has been tougher than expected but I am learning winter time on Dale slowly but surely. With the lake being somewhere around 12-14' higher than normal as well as being several degrees colder than normal It's been difficult finding the bass, especially from the kayak! About 3 weeks ago I went down with my dad and found a few bass in the thicker grass edges on small swimbaits, last week was pretty much a total bust for me, I found plenty of bait, grass and all the right stuff just couldn't get the bite dialed in.

This weekend was better, I managed to find a few quality smallmouth on channel banks near grass and more importantly situated on or very near main and secondary points. fish I've been seeing are anywhere from 15-30' and definitely off the banks. I've been playing with the float n fly, not any success YET, but I will keep trying. This week my best bites came on a Football jig and the A-Rig both fished excruciatingly slow. Water temps were anywhere from 49-51, with the lake being pulled really hard right now.

My patience really paid off Saturday with this 22" beast that came off a point on the FB jig in about 20'. I did not weigh her but have had many smallmouth at or over the 6lb mark and I feel safe to say that this one was between 5 3/4-6lbs.

I have to throw out a huge thank you to GeoFisher for really showing me what it takes to locate these big brown fish as well as Rick Hise for helping me narrow down some specifics. You gotta love the knowledge and access to knowledge that this message board provides. I've been a member here for years and can't imagine a better place to share info or meet great folks who love to fish! I plan on heading back at least 1 or 2 more times this winter and will let you all know how it goes!

The fnf out of a kayak, that would be a hoot. Its all i can do not to wrap that thing around everything in the boat in a 21'er. I really enjoy throwing the fly and would like to find somebody that can go throw it all day on the holler or cumberland. Most of the guys i fish with (myself included) will pick up somethin else if we dont get bit on it pretty quick. Awesome fish by the way

[GeoFisher]

The fnf out of a kayak, that would be a hoot. Its all i can do not to wrap that thing around everything in the boat in a 21'er. I really enjoy throwing the fly and would like to find somebody that can go throw it all day on the holler or cumberland. Most of the guys i fish with (myself included) will pick up somethin else if we dont get bit on it pretty quick. Awesome fish by the way

If the weather is right, I will throw it all day...........I do know that When Woody and John won the Billy, they caught their nice one on a fly..........in the middle of the day.........IN THE SUN.

Don't say it won't work .

Ka BOOM......

later,

Geo

[know1]

The fnf out of a kayak, that would be a hoot. Its all i can do not to wrap that thing around everything in the boat in a 21'er. I really enjoy throwing the fly and would like to find somebody that can go throw it all day on the holler or cumberland. Most of the guys i fish with (myself included) will pick up somethin else if we dont get bit on it pretty quick. Awesome fish by the way

I pretty much always throw it all day when I go.

[GeoFisher]

I pretty much always throw it all day when I go.

Hey, Michael, PM me sometime, I think I lost your contact info.........

WE should get back together for a trip to Dale sometime.

[Fishin is life]

I pretty much always throw it all day when I go.

Long time no talk michael. Send me a pm or a text if ya still have my number and we'll get together and go. Im still slingin that bps fnf rod. We had a couple really big days on it on cumberland last year.

[know1]

Long time no talk michael. Send me a pm or a text if ya still have my number and we'll get together and go. Im still slingin that bps fnf rod. We had a couple really big days on it on cumberland last year.

Just sent a text to the number I still had for you in my phone. I hope you still have the same one. It has been a long time. I don't have a boat anymore, so I don't do as much fishing.

[MagikSmallie]

The fnf out of a kayak, that would be a hoot. Its all i can do not to wrap that thing around everything in the boat in a 21'er. I really enjoy throwing the fly and would like to find somebody that can go throw it all day on the holler or cumberland. Most of the guys i fish with (myself included) will pick up somethin else if we dont get bit on it pretty quick. Awesome fish by the way

I can manage to cast it fairly well, but I'm only using a 9' leader if I went longer it would be tricky for sure!

[rickhise]

Spent the last 3 weekends on the holler. Fishing has been tougher than expected but I am learning winter time on Dale slowly but surely. With the lake being somewhere around 12-14' higher than normal as well as being several degrees colder than normal It's been difficult finding the bass, especially from the kayak! About 3 weeks ago I went down with my dad and found a few bass in the thicker grass edges on small swimbaits, last week was pretty much a total bust for me, I found plenty of bait, grass and all the right stuff just couldn't get the bite dialed in.

This weekend was better, I managed to find a few quality smallmouth on channel banks near grass and more importantly situated on or very near main and secondary points. fish I've been seeing are anywhere from 15-30' and definitely off the banks. I've been playing with the float n fly, not any success YET, but I will keep trying. This week my best bites came on a Football jig and the A-Rig both fished excruciatingly slow. Water temps were anywhere from 49-51, with the lake being pulled really hard right now.

My patience really paid off Saturday with this 22" beast that came off a point on the FB jig in about 20'. I did not weigh her but have had many smallmouth at or over the 6lb mark and I feel safe to say that this one was between 5 3/4-6lbs.

I have to throw out a huge thank you to GeoFisher for really showing me what it takes to locate these big brown fish as well as Rick Hise for helping me narrow down some specifics. You gotta love the knowledge and access to knowledge that this message board provides. I've been a member here for years and can't imagine a better place to share info or meet great folks who love to fish! I plan on heading back at least 1 or 2 more times this winter and will let you all know how it goes!

Thank you for your kind words. Your story certainly shows
your ability to figure it out.
Much harder than reeling em in

A great accomplishment!

[know1]

Spent the last 3 weekends on the holler. Fishing has been tougher than expected but I am learning winter time on Dale slowly but surely. With the lake being somewhere around 12-14' higher than normal as well as being several degrees colder than normal It's been difficult finding the bass, especially from the kayak! About 3 weeks ago I went down with my dad and found a few bass in the thicker grass edges on small swimbaits, last week was pretty much a total bust for me, I found plenty of bait, grass and all the right stuff just couldn't get the bite dialed in.

This weekend was better, I managed to find a few quality smallmouth on channel banks near grass and more importantly situated on or very near main and secondary points. fish I've been seeing are anywhere from 15-30' and definitely off the banks. I've been playing with the float n fly, not any success YET, but I will keep trying. This week my best bites came on a Football jig and the A-Rig both fished excruciatingly slow. Water temps were anywhere from 49-51, with the lake being pulled really hard right now.

My patience really paid off Saturday with this 22" beast that came off a point on the FB jig in about 20'. I did not weigh her but have had many smallmouth at or over the 6lb mark and I feel safe to say that this one was between 5 3/4-6lbs.

I have to throw out a huge thank you to GeoFisher for really showing me what it takes to locate these big brown fish as well as Rick Hise for helping me narrow down some specifics. You gotta love the knowledge and access to knowledge that this message board provides. I've been a member here for years and can't imagine a better place to share info or meet great folks who love to fish! I plan on heading back at least 1 or 2 more times this winter and will let you all know how it goes!

Great report!

You're a braver man than I am to fish out of a kayak on Dale during the winter. I've considered it before, but couldn't make myself do it.