Been a long time since I've made a post so I thought I'd break the cycle. My middle son finally decided he'd like to try the float-n-fly at the Hollow before returning to college so he had a two day opening in his busy schedule (sounds like a parent talking hey) and headed down EARLY thursday morning. Cruising down I-65 about 3:30 a.m. and looking to the east to watch that big moon shining was not what I wanted to see. By the time we reached Burkesville though about 5:30a.m. it started to spit a little snow and my confidence began to rise. While backing in the boat at Hendricks Creek I looked up to see parting clouds and the wind was starting to really pick up. My hopes were starting to fade again. I really was hoping for the perfect weather to baptize number two son into the float-n-fly fraternity but this was not to be the case.
Day number one found us searching for fishable waters in my small 16' bass boat. With a stout wind out of the north and sometimes northwest my favorite spots were totally out of play for the fly. We still made a noble effort and fished hard til dark but totally blanked for the day.
Friday found us back out on the water as early as I could see to motor out safely. With just a little wind still blowing out of the northwest I could tell I would be somewhat better able to keep the boat in postion and cast the fly today. The problem would be a rapidly rising barometer with again blue skies. Right away number two son breaks his float-n-fly rod in two pieces, five foot from the handle. No problem we have a backup but need to retie and mount a new reel. Then we have several lessons in how to keep eyelets from freezing shut and thawing of line on the spool. Within about an hour we have completely exhausted a favorite morning stretch of water without a nibble.
Off to honey hole number two. As we round be bend and I get my first glance at my destination my heart sinks as there is already a boat sitting on my spot! Now listen! There appears to be no more than four boats fishing mid lake where I'm targeting. One of those four is me and one is trolling for musky. That leaves two possible boats fishing for smallmouth and one is siting on MY spot. With blood pressure rising I try to look composed for number two son and 'calmly' turn the boat heading for the new number two location with a fake smile on my face.
The New number two location turns out same as the original number one with no pull downs.
The sun is getting up over the hills and my 'prime time' is quickly slipping away from me.
With desperation I head back to see if my 'fishing buddy' has left MY spot.. Success! The spot is now vacated with still just a little shade still in place. Of course I'm getting number two son primed by telling him how many nice fish have been caught here and hopefully keeping his spirits up and to 'keep him on point' so to speak. Finally, as the sun is climbing higher the bobber goes lower. The first brownfish rests in the net, a very nice healthy slot fish. After quick admiration and release I spin the boat back around to make another cast to the same spot and 'bobber down' again. This time it had to be the twin brother of fish number one, just identical. No 'trying' to keep everyone on point now, the medicine has been applied.
I'd like to say this continued but that was the last fish of the day. As quickly as they turned on they turned off again, but I'm grateful for those two fish.
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Originally Posted by opie13
Re: Dale Hollow 1/8-1/9
