Just got back from a long weekend at the NASCAR races in Bristol Tennessee. We went up on Thursday and decided to try some trout fishing in the local waters below Wilbur dam. I have never fished with little tiny hooks and salmon eggs before, but I will again after the results from this weekend. We found it pretty easy to limit ( seven per person) out most days (3). The out-of-state license is pretty steep at $40 for three days fishing. But after you experience the incredible trout fishery, you have no problem paying it. I plan on towing the boat up there in August when we go up for the night race and I am going to be downrigger fishing for Lake trout at Lake Watuga. Any trout experts feel free to give me tips on which lures to use for lake trout.
hey sellsfish. Good colors on those trout. Especially the Brown.
I ran a drift boat on those tail-race rivers as a weekend guide for about 15 years before i parked it and bought a center console to fish the coast and for stripers in the upstate. I have fly-fished all over the Rocky Mts and no doubt; TN can compete with those states any day. The guide I worked with up there also started working out of a center console on the lakes for the stripers and trout in certain times of the year. If you don’t want to haul the boat up there; it might be easier to hop in his. He will know all about the bait. It is not easy to buy like down here; not any bait shops that I know of. I’ve been with him on Boone Lake and he catches his own. Let me know if you want his info.
And just so you know that stretch below Wilbur also has some HUGE trout! Like over 10 lbs. Lots a fun on a fly rod.
Sea Hunt BX24BR