Springtime means a couple of things to East Tennessee Anglers, Crappie and Walleyes filling up their livewells. For the last 2 months, Walleyes have been biting at the head of Douglas Lake in the river channels near Newport. Persistance pays off jigging a large fly or grub tipped with a minnow. Just keep hopping that jig off the bottom and before you know it, fish on. Another solid technique is to slow troll a Rapala Shad Rap on 6 lb line. Sometimes it pays off sometimes it doesnt but don't be afraid to change up those baits.
Last weekend myself, my son Andrew and Donnie Ball of Pigeon Forge headed below Douglas Dam for a day of fishing. Armed with 10 dozen minnow and a box of Verlin Whaley Crappie Flies we started bouncing jigs off the bottom. We caught alot of Bluegill's and several big Crappie. The smaller Saugers were biting hard but we knew if we stayed at it we would find us a larger fish. Andrew was fishing one of our famous Dott Ball homemade fly rods, spinning guides on a 7'6" 4 weight blank with a spinning handle installed. Andrew noticed an odd feeling and then a monster bite......and the fight was on. After a good 5 minute fight on 4 lb test line, Andrew eased a monster Walleye to the surface only to have Donnie gently place it into the boat as the hook slid out. Talk about a close call. Attached you will find a picture of Andrews Walleye, his largest to date.
Up on Douglas Lake the Smallmouth and Largemouth are both biting with several caught by us on Jigs and small Worms. We have caught some numbers on smaller Rattle Traps near shallow water where the sun has warmed the waters to over 58 degrees and the shad are very active. With the coming 80 degree weather for all of next week you can expect the lid to blow off the Lake fishing. Bass will move shallow, Crappie will move even shallower and good numbers will be caught.
Dale Noland
