Duck River Kayak Fishing

[Fishbus]

We put in at Normandy Dam Saturday and floated to Dement Bridge/Highway 269.

My two friends from Chattanooga joined my three boys and I so we had six kayaks on the water. We expected a good trip based on our last trip in December, maybe a slower trout bite because of the warming temperatures.

It was not the case. As soon as we crossed under the bridge at the parking lot, the bite was on. My oldest got the first, a rock bass. Shortly after, I started with a white TM and had one of several hot streaks I had that day. I stayed with the magnet, and caught probably 20 fish before the plastic body fell off the jig. Everyone switched to white TM's if they weren't using them already.

We caught fish all the way down the river, and the trout were thick in the holes we found them in last time again. No surprise there. We portaged around Cortner's Mill Dam without trouble, finding a better path than the one we used last time. I enjoyed a single adult beverage to celebrate the good fishing!

Fishing picked up again right after the dam. Somewhere down from there I landed a 14" smallie, my personal best, on 2lb. line. I know that is not impressive to bass fishermen here, but for my first decent smallie to be in the kayak on UL gear, it was a lot of fun. Another one hooked up minutes later and broke my fluorocarbon leader off. I can only assume it was a smallie, because I'm not sure what else would have the horsepower to do that in that river.

We caught bluegill, long ear sunfish, shellcracker, large mouth, small mouth, crappie and trout along the way.

We wound up getting caught in the dark because the fishing was going so well, we had trouble moving along. Not the best idea. We had one person dump (not the kids thankfully) near the end at a bend in the river with some swifter water, and taking out at night is just more stressful. Need to start earlier, too much good fishing. Everyone was wearing PFD's of course.

All in all, we spend 9 hours floating six miles and had our best day ever. We camped at Old Stone Fort that night and cooked up steaks and potatoes after icing down the fish. I'll be serving them up for my folks when they come into town for my oldest's graduation from high school next week.

Cannot say enough good things about a trip down the Duck River.

Billy

[MNfisher]

Congrats on a great memorable day!


Mike

[TNBronzeback]

sounds like a blast! its a lot of fun when those few days a year stick out from the rest when everything just falls into place!

[tcintn]

Great fishing trip and pictures.
Remember,after catching 6 on 2lb test floro,re tie the jig head.

[Fishbus]

Thanks Ed.

Do you mean to re-tie the jig to the leader, or the leader to the main line?

Also, what knots do you like for such?

Billy

Originally Posted by tcintn

Great fishing trip and pictures.
Remember,after catching 6 on 2lb test floro,re tie the jig head.

[Transplanted Sportsman]

Great post Billy, glad you guys got into some fish, great pics there too!, congrats on that smallie too!!

[Alphahawk]

Originally Posted by Fishbus

Thanks Ed.

Do you mean to re-tie the jig to the leader, or the leader to the main line?

Also, what knots do you like for such?

Billy

Better re-tie it all......LOL.



Regards

[Alphahawk]

Congrats on a great float. That is just an awesome float this time of year before the trout die off. Gotta love Normandy in the spring and the Trout magnet can do some damage at Normandy and the Duck.



Regards

[Fishbus]

Yeah, I'm just not used to catching the quantities you and Ed are accustomed to! Live and learn, haha.

I think I will take my Dad for a float when he comes to visit for my son's graduation next week. Maybe just the dam to Normandy (town of) take out. Look like there is a take out at he Huffman St. bridge, no?

Billy

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

Better re-tie it all......LOL.



Regards

[tcintn]

This is the knot I use in attaching my floro leader to the jig head.I also wrap it 7 times vs.5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV2baROgoPc
After catching 5-6 nice trout who give a nice fight,I will re tie. That is why I start out with around 36"-48" floro leader because as I keep re tying it just keeps getting shorter.
Now back to feeding these folks. It does seem like they would give me a break to go fish the Little Red.

[Alphahawk]

Originally Posted by Fishbus

Yeah, I'm just not used to catching the quantities you and Ed are accustomed to! Live and learn, haha.

I think I will take my Dad for a float when he comes to visit for my son's graduation next week. Maybe just the dam to Normandy (town of) take out. Look like there is a take out at he Huffman St. bridge, no?

Billy

Yeah you can turn to the left after you cross the bridge then take the first left into a field that takes you down to the river....the take out is just past the bridge. That's a nice little float with lots of fish.


Regards

[Fishbus]

Thanks to both of you.

Ed: I have been using extra long leaders to re-tie also, but your knot is much stronger than what I have been using.

Randy: Good tip. I was looking at the gravel lot on the other side of the road from the field you pointed out.

Billy

[Reel Tune]

Great report, thanks Billy. That's definitely a trip to remember.

[tsuggs]

great report and great pics