fishing

[bigun3]

  
 Thinking about getting a place on Watts Bar. Any thoughts or suggestions?

[cmstower]

Get one with plenty of room probably have to run bentrod and ward away!

[cmstower]

Get one with plenty of room probably have to run bentrod and ward away!

[bigun3]

  
  Guess I should explain. After 43 years at SML, got aggravated and sold the lake house. Definitely having sellers remorse. After selling it, just don't think I could go back to SML. Too many great memories that are now gone. 

  Tyler and Mike would always be welcome. Surely if he can teach mward how to fish, he could me. 

[mwardncsu]

I just need a cot down on the dock. Bigun I totally understand what you’re feeling. We weren’t on the lake as long as you but I wish we had a place I could easily get away to but SML has changed so much in the last few years - used to think I wanted a retirement place there - not so much now….

Watts Bar is a beautiful place - been there a few times - the lower/mid end that seems to have some nice places

[31Airborne]

WB is nowhere near as developed as SML. That may be a function of TVA's dominion (a good thing???). The lake is magnificent, as is the surrounding area. If you're willing to consider a place close to the lake without being right on it, that part of TN has a lot to offer. And there's no state tax.

[BentRod]

I was sorry to hear you’d sold your place Bigun. I can see the frustration part about SML. I may be getting old but I find myself frustrated by the increase in fishing pressure we’ve seen over the last 10yrs or so. Not to even mention, the development, decline in the fishery, etc. that’s taken place over the last 30yrs.

Watts Bar is a nice lake with above average striper fishing year round. Norris is another lake to consider - similar to SML with two large river systems feeding it, but I don’t think it’s very developed at all except for the lower end, so there may not be many options on the water there.

Leave a light on for us - even it’s just the bait light!

[choochoo]

A little sideline to original post. Have any of y’all been on lake Oconee or Sinclair in Georgia? As I ponder ahead 10 years or so toward retirement I often wonder about those. I deer hunt down there regularly and love the general area. I just haven’t explored those fisheries. Only two initial reservations I have, heat and tornadoes. If things continue on present course I could come out slick by cashing out here and buying in down there.

[cmstower]

Right there with ya bent rod we been fishing up there since late eighties and the lake sure has changed I wish I would have stuck with the old site back then and learned more just never had a group that striper fished! But the lake sure has changed a lot in the years, I think I’m going to start hitting another close by lake just for some peace! Biggun hope you find a place with some huge stripers around and hardly any houses and people to bother ya!

[bigun3]

  Thanks for the replies. Going to plan a few fishing trips at different lakes. Don't know where I'll end up. 
SML has been a big part of my life. Hard to just give up on her. 
On the other hand, when you can't go out and enjoy a mornings fishing without getting cursed out or almost run over, it makes you wonder if it's worth it. You name it. I've seen it. Been cursed out, planner boards run over on purpose, been circled around 7 or 8 times wide open on purpose when drifting bait, had bass fishermen cast lures at me when I drifted bait by them. Been cut off, bout run over countless times. The lake isn't the only thing that has changed. 

cmstower, like you, hard to believe how much the lake and surrounding area has changed. Was hardly anything from Moneta to Burnt Chimney. Only thing at Westlake was Sals pizza, a VHS video rental and the gas station across the road. Delongs store at the bridge was the only grocery. The building where the gas pumps are at Websters Marine was The Cove marina. Was no Websters. 
And have never had better biscuits and gravy that was at campers paradise. Of coarse, could have been really hungry after fishing all night. 

Saved the best for last. Acres and Acres of big, fat, hungry, breaking fish. 

wishing you all tight lines~~~

[cmstower]

Wish you the best of luck finding some quiet fishing areas lord knows smith is definitely not it anymore! Looks like Tennessee would definitely be a good area for finding some big fish!

[greg]

May 13, 2023 16:18:21 GMT -5 bigun3 said:

 
And have never had better biscuits and gravy that was at campers paradise. Of coarse, could have been really hungry after fishing all night. 

I too miss Camper's Paradise, good food, good service, and always friendly people there.