Bad weather coming in?
 

With the weather forecast I am reminded of stories that I would hear about Billy Westmoreland fishing on Dale Hollow Lake in the winter during ice and snow storms. I have heard he would leave his truck and trailer on the ramp because he knew no one else would be out fishing in the bad weather. I heard he really caught some good small mouths during the ice and snow. The worse the weather the better they bit he always said. Anyone else ever fish during the ice and snow storms?

Roy

I have fished in the snow a lot at Center Hill. Smallmouth sometimes go crazy when it happens. I think they believe it is insects falling into the water and will hit whatever you are throwing the minute it hits water. But when there is a snow cover on the banks, it seems to spook them and you have to go really deep. Go figure.

Fishing aside, there are few places more beautiful than Center Hill with snow falling and no wind.

I have fished for stripers in ice and snow several times and have done well. I've fished for trout some under those conditions too.

The part about leaving the truck and trailer on the ramp must be a joke though. No real fisherman would be that inconsiderate - if I'm out there, it's fair to assume someone else might be out there too. Billy Westmoreland was a stand-up guy and wouldn't do something like that.

With snow falling Center Hill can be awesome. An old friend who taught me a lot about Center Hill Winter fishing would take me in December at night and throw the hair fly. He passed away 14 years ago with more knowledge about fishing than I will ever gain. He would not fish with a black light and he would tell me when you feel the thump that is the fish spitting out the fly. we had some good nights in Dec. and Jan. Center Hill is fishing great right now I am being told.

BD you still tipping waders in the falling snow? (eventhough that was april when you did that)

Pressure changes can bring on good fishing. If you do the log book thing, it is a good thing to track.

Weather Conditions <'TK><
 

When I lived over in West TN fished the bad weather all the time in the Winter....caught tons of crappie...and White Bass below Pickwick. Still fish the winter...still catch tons of crappie....that is when I am not recovering from rotator cuff....knee replacement. About 3 or 4 years ago we had several days in the single digits. I was fishing below Percy for stocker trout....water temp was 38 degrees and I was catching nothing. Thought I had lost all fishing skills I had. I thought the colder the water the better for trout. I called Jim Habera to ask him what I was doing wrong...he started laughing when I told him what the water temp was. Thats when I found out trout will shut down when the water gets that cold...at that time I didn't know.


Regards

I have been out a few times in the bitter snowing cold. Not every time resulted in a good trip but I have done well wading the Caney in winter snow showers before. My PB rainbow on the fly came that way on a cold as hell spitting snow day in Feb. The rest area luckily has cheap but hot vending coffee that I looked forward too each trip.

Musky fishing in MN, we longed for cold breezy misty days in the fall/early winter.....they went absolutely nuts! Everyone thought the 80 degree to 50 cold drop would shut them down. We would have the whole lake to ourselves, crushing them!

weather
 

[QUOTE=browntrout;. Anyone else ever fish during the ice and snow storms?

Roy[/QUOTE]

Not since yesterday and today.http://fishingtn.com/images/icons/icon11.gif

cold water
 

Caught some nice browns on caney today. Water temp 44. Fish were sluggish on the hook but strikes were awesome. Go figure.

Going to give it a try tomorrow with my son. Maybe you woke them up for me tomorrow. I will keep you posted. Wind is out of the North tomorrow and I normally don't do good with a North wind. I also don't do very good when I stay at home. So off we go tomorrow to see what we can find.

Roy

wind
 

Fish bite best when wind is out of the west. Fish bite least when wind is out of the east. Only thing for sure is it rhymes. The ole boy what has his bait in the water has the best chance of scoring!! Hope you and your boy have as much fun as I did last two days. Regards , Ron

Thanks. If not I at least have ham sandwiches and Pringles. Mmmmm

Roy

Old sailor, kudos to you for braving the weather to go fishing. Hope the finny ones made it worth your while.

weather
 

Thanks man, it got too bad for me thursday. Ice everwhere , could not function. Fought it for six hours and threw in the towell . Didn't catch a fish.