Pearl of the Dale A Muskie Story

[unkangler]

Originally Posted by fishfindergeneral

Just thought a few of you who aren't getting to wet lines in this bad weather might enjoy this... Here's a photo of Pearl

What a beauty.. just wondering if anyone has heard of fish like that being caught in old hickory lake?

[fishfindergeneral]

Thanks again for your kind words fellas.

Roy, I appreciate that. The trout fishing has been slow this year and I don't believe Tdub will start the stocking until some time in mid February. I'll try to keep you posted.

Ray, anytime friend. Great story also, isn't it awesome how many life defining moments that can happen on the water to shape us into who we become. It's all about the memories for me too..

Transplanted Sportsman, glad yall were able to feel the magic, as I call it, of Dale Hollow. There is no othet place like. Once I'm there, the world melts away and I never want to leave.

UNKangler, they were native to the Cumberland river system so you never know. I personally have not heard of one but I haven't spent much time there since my days at camp Boxwell.

[Transplanted Sportsman]

Originally Posted by fishfindergeneral

Transplanted Sportsman, glad yall were able to feel the magic, as I call it, of Dale Hollow. There is no othet place like. Once I'm there, the world melts away and I never want to leave.

Man it was so beautiful that day, even after dark, my 7 YO daughter did not want to leave (and she is afraid of the dark) we were finally forced to leave as the flashes and thunder from lightning started to get too close for comfort, so we def felt the magic!!

[bd-]

Originally Posted by unkangler

What a beauty.. just wondering if anyone has heard of fish like that being caught in old hickory lake?

I live on Old Hickory and fish it quite a lot, and I've never heard of a muskie there. I'd say with pretty strong confidence that they are not there. Judging by the way the muskies act on Melton Hill, if they were in Old Hickory, they would show up at the Steam Plant in the winter, and they don't.

I've heard unconfirmed rumors of them being seen long ago in Cordell Hull, but it strikes me as unlikely.

They are in the lakes and rivers on the Cumberland Plateau, and they are in several lakes just across the state line in Kentucky. In particular there is a Drakes Creek in Kentucky that has a few. However, it's a different Drakes Creek than the one that feeds into Old Hickory. I suspect that's where some of the confusion might arise when people ask if there are muskies in Old Hickory.

[Travis C.]

The only lake fish i have ever seen personally besides the one we caught with you (Dave) at Dale was at Tims years ago.

[Alphahawk]

Still a few in the Duck......still some 30 plus inch fish caught a few times.



Regards

[TroutFiend]

Great story, thanks for sharing this, my boys seen that photo a while back and would kill to catch this species. I will be contacting you for a trip with them in the future. Keep up the great work/passion!



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[unkangler]

Originally Posted by bd-

I live on Old Hickory and fish it quite a lot, and I've never heard of a muskie there. I'd say with pretty strong confidence that they are not there. Judging by the way the muskies act on Melton Hill, if they were in Old Hickory, they would show up at the Steam Plant in the winter, and they don't.

I've heard unconfirmed rumors of them being seen long ago in Cordell Hull, but it strikes me as unlikely.

They are in the lakes and rivers on the Cumberland Plateau, and they are in several lakes just across the state line in Kentucky. In particular there is a Drakes Creek in Kentucky that has a few. However, it's a different Drakes Creek than the one that feeds into Old Hickory. I suspect that's where some of the confusion might arise when people ask if there are muskies in Old Hickory.

Wheew,.. that's good to know, i would hate to hook something that big when i was out relaxing (fishing) on the lake. Geeze, something like that is liable to give you a heart attack!
Just kidding.. i appreciate you taking the time to post.

[fishfindergeneral]

TroutFiend, not knowing how old your boys are, I would suggest a May trip because we could chase walleye and Smallies plus have a pretty good chance at a Muskie or November straight Muskie trip before it gets really cold out.

[TroutFiend]

Gotcha, my 2 oldest are 12 and 10. We met you last summer at Horse Creek ramp. You put us on a good Gill bed in that area. I will check your website. Thanks again.


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[fishfindergeneral]

I remember.... Met y'all at the boat ramp. At that age I'd say May for the most action.

[bd-]

Originally Posted by unkangler

Wheew,.. that's good to know, i would hate to hook something that big when i was out relaxing (fishing) on the lake. Geeze, something like that is liable to give you a heart attack!

Well there might not be muskies, but Old Hickory still has stripers bigger than a nuclear submarine.

[fishfindergeneral]

Minus the teeth..

[cat-tales]

Great fish Dave, combined with Darren's talented story telling makes for a wonderful "read".

[fishfindergeneral]

I agree Gary. Have you gotten into those stripers yet?