Dale Hollow Thur and Fri..

[Chubminnow]

Hey Wildwood...(aka Elnut or "slim" after all the weight loss, congratulations by the way). Anyway, I just curious about something regarding F-N-F, or smallies in general in the month of December. I know in February I like to catch the third day of a warming trend...when that happens you can bet there'll be fish to catch...especially on the wind blown banks What about Dale in December, are there any particular weather pattern that is provides more favorable fishing conditions over any others? It's been colder than blue blazes the past few days here and I was wondering if that provides the best weather pattern in December at Dale or if there's something better or what. Something tells me you're gonna say the colder the better, but I'm asking anyway.

Thanks!

[elnutsmalljaws]

Hey Wildwood...(aka Elnut or "slim" after all the weight loss, congratulations by the way). Anyway, I just curious about something regarding F-N-F, or smallies in general in the month of December. I know in February I like to catch the third day of a warming trend...when that happens you can bet there'll be fish to catch...especially on the wind blown banks What about Dale in December, are there any particular weather pattern that is provides more favorable fishing conditions over any others? It's been colder than blue blazes the past few days here and I was wondering if that provides the best weather pattern in December at Dale or if there's something better or what. Something tells me you're gonna say the colder the better, but I'm asking anyway.

Thanks!

I like Dale in December when the water temps drops to 50 degrees for the first time but really anytime when it gets below 55 you can catch fish on the fly. As far as weather conditions goes after the water temp is below 55 down to 48 or so, I would rather it be around 35 and spitting snow, sleet and rain because this means it will be so overcast that the sun never shows its head for the day. These are the perfect conditions for the fly. From what I have found, the fish will be a bit more shallow in the water column still suspending and I catch the majority of my fish on leaders between 9 and 12 feet deep. The higher the blue skies, the deeper they will suspend and I will have to move to a 15 foot leader to try and catch a few. The longer the leader the more tougher to cast, more demanding plus makes it tougher to land any fish you catch. The toughest conditions are when it is below 20 and high blue skies because the line freezes on your reel, freezes up your rod eyes plus you just can't get your hands warm plus these are the worst conditions for the fly. Pretty much any high blue sky days with not a cloud in the sky is tough fishing for the fly. The days when you look outside at the rain, sleet, snow when you are standing in your living room with a fire blazing in the fireplace and you have absolutely no interest in walking to the mailbox or get the paper are the perfect days to hook up the boat and head to Dale Hollow. Hope this helps.