A Tennessee Wilderness Musky

[JeffsLowe]

My wife and I try to go on a local "adventure" about once a week, and a warm February day found us back at the Bridgestone Firestone Wilderness Area.

This is my day hike kit. Gander Mtn pack, Shakespear Travel Rod, Pflueger President reel, (for some reason I accidentally grabbed one of my Canada reels with 14 lb test instead of my lighter rigs with 8lb test ) Glock 32 Gerber folder, flint/magnesium block, and my Marble match case my dad bought over 50 years ago and I have carried on every trip since he passed away in 1975.

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t669/ConfederateViking/A%20Tennessee%20Musky%20Tale/DSC_2818_zpsdfa736e1.jpg

Now we just have to get down to the creek - 2 miles and a steeeeep 1000 ft down hike.
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t669/ConfederateViking/A%20Tennessee%20Musky%20Tale/DSC_2810_zpsfe4e7a2a.jpg

Well, what do you know…
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t669/ConfederateViking/A%20Tennessee%20Musky%20Tale/DSC_2749_zps056f2666.jpg

About a 5 minute battle. Multiple runs, line screaming off, trying to roll, bite the line, (no steel leader), tried to wrap itself around every rock and log in the creek. had it up to the bank 3 times, each time ran out again. Pulled me down into the mud and fell down twice! Finally got a hand on it but it bites the line, so the wrestling match is on!! But here she is. I'm 6'3", so she's at least 40 inches, maybe 25lbs.
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t669/ConfederateViking/A%20Tennessee%20Musky%20Tale/DSC_2786_zpsd774e3a1.jpg

A little Musky CPR and she swims away like a shot, no worse for wear. Which is better than I can say for me - when you have no net, no lip grip, no pliers, at the end of the day theres nothing else to it but to stick your hand in the dragons mouth.

[Alphahawk]

Congrats...great fish!


Regards

[metaniumxg]

Wow, beautiful fish! Great place to catch it as well. Unfortunately Im all to wary of running into a big foot or dog man to go hiking to remote fishing areas. But for a fish like that I may take my chances :)

[riverhawkluke]

Great catch!

[FloatNFish]

Awesome catch! A buddy and I have been talking about doing a backpacking/fishing trip there for a long time now. Maybe this is the year...

Alex

[tkwalker]

Great report and pic's !!! <'TK>< :)

[SAMBOLIE]

Awesome outing !

[SalmonDaze]

Nice. Were you aiming for a (bare tree) version of the Sparta Chamber web site image? :D

Theirs
http://www.sparta-chamber.net/cms_uploads/images/BRIDGESTONE_WEB_PIC.jpg

Yours
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t669/ConfederateViking/A%20Tennessee%20Musky%20Tale/DSC_2810_zpsfe4e7a2a.jpg

Very cool

[jad2t]

Beautiful pictures and great fish, I bet you saw some nice scenery out there!

[XxthejuicexX]

Man, not only is that an awesome view but great fish. I'm sure that was a rush fighting that fish on 14lb test. You sure you packed enough punch with that 32 :) .357 is nice, I've always wanted a 20.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SAMBOLIE]

Man, not only is that an awesome view but great fish. I'm sure that was a rush fighting that fish on 14lb test. You sure you packed enough punch with that 32 :) .357 is nice, I've always wanted a 20.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

.357 is a joke. I would carry a S&W Model 500 just to be safe.
Would also use 65 lb braid rather than that wimpy 14 lb test mono.
Now if I could actually use the firearm properly I would take the 32. Next I would learn how to finesse a fish and use the lighter mono.:D

[XxthejuicexX]

Screw all that pistol caliber crap! I will just shoot a rifle round out of my pistol. Sambolie, you can be nice to me even when my wife and kid is not around :) http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/02/12/ba2bc0dd57c5681771066c896effb601.jpg


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[JeffsLowe]

Thanks for the nice words guys. yup - Its a nice place to fish - tough to get to - but worth the effort After this thread I am looking forward to maybe seeing some fellow forum members on the trails. Am easy to spot - I'm the tall guy gasping for breath on the climb out.


A few more before my moment of glory gets hijacked into a gun thread. :D
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t669/ConfederateViking/A%20Tennessee%20Musky%20Tale/DSC_2737_zps4ceb9128.jpg

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t669/ConfederateViking/A%20Tennessee%20Musky%20Tale/DSC_2788_zpse004f405.jpg

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t669/ConfederateViking/A%20Tennessee%20Musky%20Tale/DSC_2806_zpsc26f8780.jpg

[RUGER]

Wow that is awesome right there.

[browntrout]

Wow, great story and pics. Do you mind sharing where that is? Is it public land? My wife and I love to hike. If you dont want to I fully understand.

Thanks,
Roy

[XxthejuicexX]

Man, did you really shove your hand in it's mouth? sorry about the hadji take over. Because I don't feel like googleing it, where is the Bridgestone/Firestone area? Those pictures are amazing. Is that your fresh Cole beer can laying on the ground by the Tree :D Very nice catch again!

[JeffsLowe]

Wow, great story and pics. Do you mind sharing where that is? Is it public land? My wife and I love to hike. If you dont want to I fully understand.

Thanks,
Roy

No problem - its TWRA public land.

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t669/ConfederateViking/A%20Tennessee%20Musky%20Tale/DSC_2825_zpsb1e8858c.jpg

And if you really like to hike I recommend the Virgin Falls hike. Lots of "disappearing waterfalls".

http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/ConfederateViking/slideshow/Virgin%20Falls%20Hike%20Nov%2010%202014?sort=2

[browntrout]

Many thanks. I will have to add that one to the list. We go to the South Cumberland quite a bit and really enjoy it.

Roy

[JeffsLowe]

Man, did you really shove your hand in it's mouth? sorry about the hadji take over. Because I don't feel like googleing it, where is the Bridgestone/Firestone area? Those pictures are amazing. Is that your fresh Cole beer can laying on the ground by the Tree :D Very nice catch again!

With no pliers Had to get the hook out somehow. Not gonna let a fish like that die.

Nope - not mine, actually if what your seeing is laying by my pack i think its my tackle kit.

Its east of Sparta.

[Alphahawk]

My sons have asked me how the fishing is there. Now I can tell them...LOL.



Regards

[FloatNFish]

It's closed to all non-hunting activities during big game seasons so make sure to check the calendars before you head out there and get run off by T-Dub! Not sure if this includes spring turkey.

Alex

[Destin2Fish]

Nice fish!!!

[creekcrappie]

Huge fish and awesome pictures!

[XxthejuicexX]

With no pliers Had to get the hook out somehow. Not gonna let a fish like that die.

Nope - not mine, actually if what your seeing is laying by my pack i think its my tackle kit.

Its east of Sparta.


Ok, makes more sense now. I thought you like lipped it to land it :)

[Reel Tune]

Awesome report Jeff. I would like to hike into a remote location and do some fishing, but I'm so outta shape they would probably have to air lift me out.

[TheYiman]

Nice fish! What were you throwing that tricked a Musky when you weren't targeting them?

[JeffsLowe]

Nice fish! What were you throwing that tricked a Musky when you weren't targeting them?

Just the usual. :D

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t669/ConfederateViking/images_zpsdcb0d335.jpeg

[tkwalker]

Just the usual. :D

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t669/ConfederateViking/images_zpsdcb0d335.jpeg

I love the bait !! :eek:

[Fishbus]

On remote fishing: I'll be hiking the Fiery Gizzard trail next month. Fiery Gizzard creek looks pretty small, but I'm really looking forward to throwing a line out where only a handful of folks a year even try. If I catch nothing, it will probably be the best skunking of my life anyway.

Billy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tacklemake]

Thank you for letting that musky go and for that great report......................woody

[gthorne]

Great report and thanks for sharing!

This is my day hike kit. Gander Mtn pack, Shakespear Travel Rod, Pflueger President reel, (for some reason I accidentally grabbed one of my Canada reels with 14 lb test instead of my lighter rigs with 8lb test ) Glock 32 Gerber folder, flint/magnesium block, and my Marble match case my dad bought over 50 years ago and I have carried on every trip since he passed away in 1975.

After packing my 5' single piece ultralight rod along on a camping / hiking trip last fall I've been thinking about getting either a telescoping rod like yours or a multi-piece rod that has shorter sections. Something that I can put in a pack or short tube and not have to worry about snagging on branches while in the woods.

How do you like the Shakespeare one you're using?

[JeffsLowe]

Great report and thanks for sharing!



After packing my 5' single piece ultralight rod along on a camping / hiking trip last fall I've been thinking about getting either a telescoping rod like yours or a multi-piece rod that has shorter sections. Something that I can put in a pack or short tube and not have to worry about snagging on branches while in the woods.

How do you like the Shakespeare one you're using?

I have used those for years, and never had one break. I much prefer it to the mulit piece because I think it has better action. No flat spots like the multi, quicker into action, and can obviously handle big fish. When I go fly fishing for trout I usually keep one collapsed in the creel. That way after I chase the little ones with the fly on top I can go deep to where the bigger ones are. And really like those Presidents. Have been fishing in Ontario every year for decades and that is exclusively what we use. (I think I have 6). The water is so clear you need light line, but it casts well for distance and has the smooth drag to land the big fish. We use them for everything from pike to musky to walleye to smallmouth to trolling for lake trout - often all in the same day, and never, ever, had one crap out on me.

Anther great thing about that rod is the price.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Shakespeare-Travel-Mate-Telescopic-Spinning-Rod/21054895

Not trying to make a commercial, but I really do like that equipment. :)

[jad2t]

x2 on the Pfluger spinning reels. I have two and really like them.

[JeffsLowe]

I love the bait !! :eek:

I think the locals there prefer this one…. :D:

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t669/ConfederateViking/DSC_2828_zpsfac77f9f.jpg

[lupanfreitag]

NO other words to describe it.

[unkangler]

Thanks for the nice words guys. yup - Its a nice place to fish - tough to get to - but worth the effort After this thread I am looking forward to maybe seeing some fellow forum members on the trails. Am easy to spot - I'm the tall guy gasping for breath on the climb out.


A few more before my moment of glory gets hijacked into a gun thread. :D
http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t669/ConfederateViking/A%20Tennessee%20Musky%20Tale/DSC_2737_zps4ceb9128.jpg

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t669/ConfederateViking/A%20Tennessee%20Musky%20Tale/DSC_2788_zpse004f405.jpg

http://i1319.photobucket.com/albums/t669/ConfederateViking/A%20Tennessee%20Musky%20Tale/DSC_2806_zpsc26f8780.jpg

As a long time lurker here, this has to be one of the best threads that I've seen. .... nice of you to share your trip. Also, nice to see a 'seasoned' fisherman out and still "gettin it done!"
--- .. I just knew that there would be places like where you were fishing in middle tennessee.As i've gotten older I have lost my passion to get out there and get 'em like i did when i was younger, but if i see many more threads like this one .. i may just get it back!............ I would suggest to the webmaster that this thread become a "sticky".. and to encourage other people to share other beautiful areas such as this one.

[jaystaler88]

I've had the Pfleuger President's for about 3 years and have performed very minimal maintainence on it, and it's been my all-time favorite all around reel. I frequently wade creeks, which means I frequently bust my a$$ on slippery rock, and giving those reels a fully submerged swim has made even nice Shimano Sedona reels start binding after a while, even with proper lube and cleaning. The President has never once slowed or bound up on me. I had a couple Sedona's that worked flawlessly until they didnt work under normal conditions. They are both in the same price range but I would go with the Pflueger any day.

I took mine on a 4 day intensive fishing trip to Ontario with a full 8 hours on the water each day, thousands of casts and hundreds of fish, never once had one issue. The last day I dropped a few drops of oil on it as preventative measure. If you can't tell, I'm VERY sold on these reels and highly recommend one.